Description
Mouthwatering crockpot sweet garlic chicken delivers a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate. Juicy chicken simmers in a rich, tangy sauce, promising a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 4–6 chicken breasts
Sweeteners:
- 1 cup brown sugar
Liquid Ingredients:
- 2/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup lemon-lime soda
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons water
Seasonings and Thickeners:
- 2–3 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker by lightly coating the interior with non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
- Arrange chicken breasts evenly across the bottom of the crockpot.
- Create a flavor-packed marinade by whisking together brown sugar, vinegar, lemon-lime soda, minced garlic, soy sauce, and black pepper in a mixing bowl.
- Gently pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated with the liquid mixture.
- Cover the crockpot and set to low temperature, allowing the chicken to simmer and tenderize for 6-8 hours, or alternatively use high temperature for 4 hours until meat is completely cooked through.
- Carefully transfer the cooked chicken to a serving platter, reserving the remaining cooking liquid in the crockpot.
- Transfer the cooking liquid to a saucepan and place over high heat to begin sauce reduction.
- Whisk cornstarch with water to create a smooth slurry, then pour into the saucepan with the cooking liquid.
- Stir continuously and bring the mixture to a rolling boil, allowing it to thicken for 2-3 minutes until it reaches a glossy, glaze-like consistency.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and let the glaze rest briefly to further thicken.
- Optional: Sprinkle red pepper flakes over the glaze for added heat and visual appeal.
- Plate the chicken over a bed of rice or noodles and generously drizzle with the aromatic garlic glaze.
Notes
- Tenderize chicken breasts by pounding them to an even thickness before placing in the crockpot for uniform cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium soy sauce and choosing a diet-friendly lemon-lime soda alternative to make the recipe more heart-healthy.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting cornstarch with arrowroot powder or potato starch, ensuring smooth sauce thickening without gluten contamination.
- Enhance meal prep by shredding leftover chicken for salads, tacos, or sandwiches, maximizing recipe versatility and minimizing food waste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours on low or 4 hours on high
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg