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If you need an easy dinner, this slow cooker honey mustard chicken is a lifesaver. Juicy chicken breasts cook in a sweet and tangy honey Dijon sauce. Great for meal prep and making ahead.
Jump to: ℹ️ Overview | 🛒 Ingredients | 📷 How To Make | 👩🍳 Recipe Tips | 🥗 Serving Suggestions | 📝Full Recipe Card | 🍽 More Slow Cooker Recipes
At A Glance
- ⏱ Ready In: 3 hours 10 minutes
- 🍽 Serves: 6
- 🌱 Diet: Gluten-free, dairy-optional, high-protein
- 💪 Nutrition Highlights: High in lean protein, low-carb, family-friendly
- 🥕 Main Ingredients: Chicken breasts, honey, Dijon mustard, butter, spices
- 🔥 Flavor Profile: Sweet, tangy, savory with a rich honey mustard glaze
- 🧊 Meal-Prep: Keeps up to 4 days in the fridge and reheats well
- Best Served With: Rice, mashed potatoes, wraps, sandwiches, or fresh salads
This slow cooker honey mustard chicken is a great weeknight recipe because the slow cooker does all the work while you get on with your day. The chicken slowly cooks in a glossy honey Dijon sauce that’s sweet, tangy, and buttery. As it cooks, the chicken becomes incredibly tender and perfect for shredding.
The seasoning blend adds depth so it doesn’t taste overly sweet — just balanced and savory with a little warmth from paprika and Italian herbs. I especially love how versatile this dish is. Some nights we pile it over rice or mashed potatoes, other nights it ends up in wraps or sandwiches.
If you enjoy simple chicken dinners, this slow cooker dinner recipe guarantees juicy results.
👩🍳 You might also like these dishes: slow cooker steak bites, slow cooker chicken tikka masala, or try my shredded chicken slow cooker recipe. Find more slow cooker chicken meals here.
What You’ll Need
Here is what you’ll need for this slow cooker honey mustard chicken recipe. Find the full measurements in the recipe card below.
- Chicken breasts – Lean protein that becomes tender and easy to shred in the slow cooker. You can swap for boneless thighs or even drumsticks if you prefer darker meat.
- Seasoning Blend: Italian seasoning or Italian herbs, paprika for mild warmth and color, garlic powder for savory base, onion powder for subtle sweetness and depth, salt, and pepper (essential for bringing out the flavor of the chicken.
- Honey Mustard Sauce: honey for natural sweetness and glossiness, Dijon mustard for that tangy, slightly spicy flavor that balances the honey, a little fresh garlic for extra punch, and melted butter to add richness and help the sauce coat the chicken beautifully.
- Optional: Sometimes, I make a creamy version of this dish and add a little light cream in the last 30 minutes of cooking. It gives it a more mellowed out flavor and more luxurious finish.
Ingredient Swaps & Tips
- Whole grain mustard can replace Dijon for more texture
- Add a splash of lemon juice for brightness
- Maple syrup works as a substitute for honey if needed
How To Make Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken
Find the full recipe and nutritional information below. Here are some handy step-by-step photos for slow cooker honey mustard chicken.
- Mix Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Season both sides of the chicken breasts with the spice mixture.
- Place the seasoned chicken into the slow cooker.
- In another bowl, whisk together honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and melted butter.
- Pour the honey mustard sauce over the chicken.
- Cook on HIGH for 1.5-2 hours or LOW for 3-3.5 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Shred the chicken using two forks.
- Let it cook for an additional 30 minutes (on LOW) so the chicken soaks up the sauce. Optional: Sometimes, I make a creamy version of this dish and add a little light cream in the last 30 minutes of cooking. It gives it a more mellowed out flavor and luxurious finish.
Recipe Tips/Variations
- Don’t overcook chicken breasts. Chicken breasts can dry out if cooked too long. Check around the 3-hour mark.
- Season ahead for more flavor. You can season the chicken up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the fridge. This helps the spices soak into the meat.
- Adjust the sauce balance. Sweeter: add more honey. Tangier: add extra Dijon mustard. Richer: add an extra tablespoon of butter
- Use different chicken cuts: Boneless chicken thighs work great and stay extra juicy Bone-in thighs can be cooked to 175°F for the most tender texture
- Meal Prep: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave with a spoonful of sauce. It also freezes well for up to 2 months.
Serving Suggestions
This crockpot honey mustard chicken is incredibly versatile. The shredded chicken soaks up the sauce beautifully, which means it works in so many meals.
Serve it over fluffy rice or creamy mashed potatoes, so the sauce doesn’t go to waste. It’s also fantastic tucked into wraps, chicken sandwiches, or sliders for an easy lunch.
Another favorite in my kitchen is using the shredded chicken on top of a fresh salad with crunchy veggies, avocado, and a light vinaigrette — the sweet and tangy flavor pairs surprisingly well with greens.
💬 If you’ve tried this slow cooker honey mustard chicken or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and or sign up to my Newsletter to see more of my delicious food.
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If you need an easy dinner, this slow cooker honey mustard chicken is a lifesaver. Juicy chicken breasts cook in a sweet and tangy honey Dijon sauce. Great for meal prep and making ahead. Find step-by-step photos and more recipe tips above.
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In a bowl, combine Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and salt.
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Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts.
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Place the seasoned chicken in the slow cooker.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and melted butter.
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Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken.
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Cover and cook on HIGH for 1.5-2 hours or LOW for 3-3.5 hours, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
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Shred the chicken with two forks.
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Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and cook for another 30 minutes to let it absorb the sauce. Serve warm. Optional: if you want a creamier, milder version, add 1/2 cup of light cream in the last 30 minutes as well.
- Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts? Yes. Boneless thighs work very well and stay extra juicy. Bone-in thighs should be cooked to about 175°F for the best tenderness.
- Can I prep this ahead of time? Absolutely. Season the chicken and refrigerate it up to 24 hours before cooking.
- Can I make the sauce sweeter or tangier? Yes. Add more honey for sweetness or more Dijon mustard for extra tang. You can also adjust the sauce balance by adding an extra tablespoon of butter to make it richer.
- What else can I do with the leftovers? Add to wraps or sandwiches, make sliders, top a salad, or use in chicken bowls (rice or quinoa base).
- Don’t overcook chicken breasts. Chicken breasts can dry out if cooked too long. Check around the 3-hour mark.
- Season ahead for more flavor. You can season the chicken up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the fridge. This helps the spices soak into the meat.
- Meal Prep: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave with a spoonful of sauce. It also freezes well for up to 2 months.
Calories: 290kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 112mg | Sodium: 723mg | Potassium: 605mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 398IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg
