There’s something magical about walking into your kitchen at the end of a long day and being greeted by the warm, savory-sweet aroma of Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken. It’s like your crockpot is giving you a hug and whispering, “Dinner’s ready, you made it through the day.”
If you’re juggling work deadlines, kids’ soccer practices, or simply trying to carve out a few minutes for yourself, this recipe is your golden ticket. Sweet honey, tangy Dijon mustard, and tender chicken all come together in a cozy, no-fuss dish that practically makes itself while you get on with life.
And here’s the best part—it’s a recipe that feels fancy enough for a dinner party but is simple enough to toss together on a random Tuesday night when you’re running on caffeine and determination.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken
- Effortless prep. Toss everything into the slow cooker, press a button, and let it do its thing.
- Flavor-packed. The honey-mustard combo gives the chicken a perfect balance of sweet and savory.
- Family-approved. Even picky eaters are likely to fall for this creamy, comforting sauce.
- Versatile. Serve it with rice, mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, or even on a sandwich bun.
Honestly, it’s a win all around.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1.5 lb chicken breast (about 4 pieces, 6 oz. each) — chicken thighs work beautifully too
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup Dijon mustard
- 2 Tbsp butter, melted
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- Optional (for thickening): 2 Tbsp cornstarch + 4 Tbsp cold water
How to Make Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken
- Season the chicken like a pro.
First things first—grab those chicken breasts (or thighs if you’re going for juicy, melt-in-your-mouth goodness) and pat them dry with a paper towel. This simple step helps the seasonings stick and gives the chicken better texture once cooked. Sprinkle on the salt, pepper, oregano, onion powder, and paprika. Don’t be shy here—think of it like giving your chicken a little spa treatment with a flavorful rub. - Whip up the honey mustard magic.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and melted butter. You’re aiming for a smooth, golden sauce that smells so good you’ll want to taste-test it with a spoon. (Confession: I always do. And yes, licking the whisk is totally allowed in this step.) - Layer and smother.
Place your seasoned chicken in the slow cooker, then pour that dreamy honey mustard sauce all over the top. Make sure the chicken is well-coated, almost like it’s getting a warm blanket of flavor. Don’t worry if some sauce pools at the bottom—it’ll bubble up and coat the chicken beautifully as it cooks. - Set it and forget it (kind of).
Close the lid, set your slow cooker on LOW, and let the magic happen for about 3 hours. The chicken should reach an internal temp of 165°F, but here’s my little tip: peek in at the 2-hour mark if you can. Some slow cookers are overachievers and get the job done faster than you’d expect. - Shred or chunk—it’s your call.
Once cooked, the chicken should be tender enough to fall apart with just two forks. You can shred it completely for a pulled-chicken vibe or leave it in larger chunks for a heartier presentation. Either way, the sauce will cling to every bite. - Add the creamy twist.
About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the heavy cream. This is when your sauce goes from “delicious” to “oh-my-goodness-please-pass-the-bread.” It adds a rich, velvety finish that ties everything together. - Thicken if you like it saucy.
If you prefer a thicker sauce (think gravy consistency), whisk cornstarch with cold water until smooth and stir it into the crockpot. Let it cook on low for another 30 minutes. The sauce will gradually thicken as it simmers, and you’ll know it’s ready when it clings perfectly to the chicken and your spoon. - Serve, swoon, repeat.
Dish it up over fluffy mashed potatoes, warm rice, or even some buttery noodles. Add roasted veggies on the side if you want a complete plate. And don’t skip the bread—trust me, you’ll want something to mop up every last drop of that golden sauce.
Cooking Tips
- Thighs or breasts? Chicken thighs are more forgiving and juicy, but chicken breasts keep it light and lean. Both are winners here.
- No cream on hand? You can swap with half-and-half or leave it out entirely—the sauce will still be delicious.
- Make-ahead magic. Mix the sauce the night before, so in the morning, you just dump everything in the crockpot and go.
- Picky eaters? The honey balances the mustard tang, so it’s usually kid-approved. But if you’ve got mustard skeptics at home, start with a little less and adjust to taste.
A Little Story from My Kitchen
This recipe actually started as a “let’s see what happens” experiment. One busy Sunday, I had chicken, honey, and Dijon in the fridge but zero energy for anything complicated. I tossed them into the slow cooker with some garlic and spices, crossed my fingers, and hoped for the best. By dinnertime, my family was gathered around the kitchen island, dipping bread into the sauce straight from the pot. Needless to say, this Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken became a keeper.

FAQs About Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken
Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, but thawing is better for even cooking. If using frozen, add an extra hour to the cooking time.
How do I store leftovers?
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of cream or broth.
Can I make this ahead and freeze it?
Absolutely. You can freeze the chicken and sauce mixture (before cooking) in a freezer bag. Just thaw overnight and dump it in the slow cooker the next day.
What can I serve with it?
This dish pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, rice, quinoa, or even a crisp green salad to lighten things up.
Bring Comfort to Your Table
When life gets busy (and let’s be real, when isn’t it?), recipes like Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken are little lifesavers. It’s the kind of dish that takes minimal effort but delivers maximum comfort. Sweet, savory, creamy, and oh-so-satisfying—it’s proof that sometimes the best meals really are the simplest.
So, go ahead. Dust off that slow cooker, grab your honey and mustard, and let this recipe remind you why home-cooked meals will always have a little extra magic.
More Chicken Recipes You’ll Love
If this Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken won your heart (and your family’s stomachs), then you’ll definitely want to explore these cozy, flavor-packed dishes next:
- Warm up on a chilly night with this creamy and comforting Creamy Cajun Chicken Soup.
- Keep your crockpot busy with another easy dinner favorite: Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice.
- If you’re craving a classic baked dish, try the crowd-pleasing Angel Chicken Casserole.
- Take your tastebuds on a flavor-packed journey with the rich and creamy Indian Butter Chickpeas.
Each of these recipes pairs beautifully with the same busy-weeknight vibes—minimal effort, maximum flavor. Bookmark them now and make your dinner rotation anything but boring!
Print
Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken is a sweet, tangy, and creamy comfort dish that practically cooks itself. Tender chicken is slow-simmered in a honey Dijon garlic sauce, finished with cream, and perfect for serving over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles.
Ingredients
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1.5 lb chicken breast (about 4 pieces, 6 oz. each) or chicken thighs
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1 tsp dried oregano
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1 tsp paprika
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¼ tsp onion powder
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½ tsp pepper
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½ tsp salt
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¼ cup honey
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¼ cup Dijon mustard
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2 Tbsp butter, melted
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2–3 garlic cloves, minced
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¼ cup heavy cream
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Optional (for thickening): 2 Tbsp cornstarch + 4 Tbsp cold water
Instructions
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Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Season with salt, pepper, oregano, onion powder, and paprika.
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In a small bowl, whisk together honey, Dijon mustard, garlic, and melted butter until smooth. Pour over the chicken in the slow cooker.
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Cover and cook on LOW for 3 hours or until chicken reaches 165°F. (Check at 2 hours if your slow cooker runs hot.)
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Once cooked, shred or cut chicken into chunks.
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About 30 minutes before serving, stir in heavy cream.
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If you prefer a thicker sauce, whisk cornstarch with water and stir into the slow cooker. Cook an additional 30 minutes until thickened.
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Serve warm over mashed potatoes, rice, or vegetables.
Notes
Chicken thighs stay juicier, while chicken breasts are leaner—both work great.
For a dairy-free option, skip the cream or swap with coconut milk for a twist.
Store leftovers in the fridge up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 340 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg