This 5-Ingredient Crockpot Chicken delivers tender, juicy shredded chicken simmered in a paleo-friendly honey garlic sauce — an ideal, hands-off weeknight dinner.
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ⏲️ Ready In: 6 hrs 5 mins
- 👪 Serves: 6
- 🍽 Calories and Protein: 281 kcal, 48 g protein
- 📋 Main Ingredients: Chicken breasts, coconut aminos, garlic, apple cider vinegar, honey
- 📖 Dietary Notes: Dairy-free, gluten-free, grain-free, paleo, refined sugar-free
- ⭐ Why You’ll Love It: Only five pantry ingredients, mostly hands-off cooking, and a sticky-sweet garlic sauce that tastes indulgent with very little effort
If busy evenings make dinner stressful, a reliable slow cooker can be a lifesaver. I use mine multiple times a week to create simple, flavorful meals. This paleo honey garlic chicken has become a household staple — it’s naturally sweetened with honey, which makes it kid-friendly, and the leftovers are versatile enough for stir-fries, pasta, fajita bowls, or salads.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Easy: Only five main ingredients and minimal prep make this crockpot chicken exceptionally simple.
Healthy: Naturally sweetened and free from dairy, gluten, and grains, it fits many clean-eating plans.
Versatile: Use the shredded chicken in bowls, wraps, salads, tacos, or pasta to keep meals interesting throughout the week.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Coconut aminos: Used here in place of soy sauce for a paleo-friendly option. If paleo isn’t required, a gluten-free soy sauce works as a substitute.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Chicken thighs can be used instead; they tend to release more liquid and produce a slightly different sauce texture.
- Garlic: Minced garlic adds depth — increase the amount if you love bold garlic flavor, or use less for picky eaters.
See the recipe card below for full ingredient quantities and exact measurements.
Flavor Variations
Try these simple tweaks to change the flavor profile:
Seasonings: Add grated fresh ginger or extra garlic. A small splash of sesame oil adds a nutty note (use if it fits your diet).
Spice: For heat, add sliced jalapeños or swap regular honey for hot honey.
How To Make 5-Ingredient Crockpot Chicken
This recipe is designed to be low-effort: arrange the chicken in the slow cooker, pour the sauce over it, and let the cooker do the work. Images below show each step visually.
Step 1: Place the chicken breasts in a 5-quart (or larger) slow cooker, ideally in a single layer. Whisk the remaining ingredients together and pour the mixture over the chicken.
Step 2: Cook on low for 6 hours (or on high for 3–4 hours) until the chicken is fork-tender.
Step 3: Use two forks to shred the chicken right in the slow cooker.
Step 4: Serve hot over steamed rice, cauliflower rice, or your favorite side.
Expert Tips To Make It
The slow cooker will produce a generous amount of sauce. To thicken it, mix 2 teaspoons of arrowroot powder with 3 tablespoons of the sauce, then stir the slurry into the cooker about 30 minutes before serving. If you use bone-in chicken or double the recipe, increase the cooking time accordingly.
How To Store It
In the fridge: Cool completely, then store in an airtight container for 3–4 days. Reheat on the stove over low heat or in the slow cooker until warmed through.
In the freezer: Place cooled shredded chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe bag, lay flat to freeze, and keep up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
How To Serve Honey Garlic Chicken
This shredded chicken is very adaptable — here are a few serving ideas:
- Serve over steamed rice with roasted or steamed vegetables
- Toss with gluten-free noodles for a quick pasta dish
- Top a green salad for an easy lunch
- Use as a filling for wraps, fajitas, or quesadillas
- Finish the meal with a simple paleo-friendly dessert if desired
Paleo Crockpot Chicken FAQs
It’s not recommended to start with frozen chicken in a slow cooker. Thawing in the cooker can extend cooking time and risks uneven heating, which may prevent the chicken from reaching a safe temperature in the expected timeframe.
Yes, but bone-in pieces will require longer cooking and may release more fat into the sauce, slightly altering the final texture.
More Slow Cooker Recipes You’ll Love
-
Slow Cooker Gluten-Free Beef and Broccoli
-
Slow Cooker Beef Fajitas (Gluten-Free)
-
Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs (Gluten-Free)
-
Dry Rub Chicken Drumsticks in Slow Cooker
If you try this 5-Ingredient Crockpot Chicken or any recipe here, please leave a star rating and a comment to share how it turned out!
Paleo Crockpot Shredded Chicken
Equipment
- 7-quart (or larger) slow cooker
Ingredients
- 3 pounds Chicken breasts
- ½ cup Honey
- ½ cup Coconut aminos (or gluten-free soy sauce)
- ¼ cup Water
- 1 tablespoon Garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
- In a bowl, whisk together the honey, coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, water, and minced garlic. Pour the sauce over the chicken.
- Cook on low for 6–8 hours or on high for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily shredded with a fork.
- Shred the chicken with two forks, mix with the sauce, and serve over rice or your preferred side.
Notes
The recipe leaves a fair amount of sauce in the slow cooker. To thicken it, whisk 2 teaspoons of arrowroot powder into 3 tablespoons of the sauce and stir it in about 30 minutes before serving.
If you use bone-in chicken, increase the cooking time. If you don’t need a paleo version, substitute gluten-free soy sauce for the coconut aminos.
Nutrition
