Make this amazing Crock Pot Beer Chicken with honey for a flavorful chicken dinner the whole family will love! Slow cooked to tender perfection, this chicken is packed with incredible flavor.
This melt in your mouth meal is so easy to make and is great for an easy weeknight dinner. You'll love the combination of unique beer flavor and sweet honey goodness!
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🩵 About This Recipe
With the perfect blend of savory flavors and a bit of sweetness from the honey, these beer braised chicken thighs are going to be your new favorite slow cooker meal!
So easy to make with very little prep and only a few ingredients, this recipe results in tender, juicy chicken every single time. Great for a quick weeknight meal but hearty enough for your Sunday family dinner!
And if you can't get enough slow cooker chicken recipes, try my Slow Cooker Chicken and Biscuits or this yummy Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore.
🧂 Gather Your Ingredients
- chopped onion - fresh onion is best, but you could use frozen in a pinch.
- boneless skinless chicken thighs - tender dark meat is perfect for slow cooking all day.
- soy sauce - adds just the right amount of savory umami flavor.
- honey - balances out the hearty and comforting flavors with some subtle sweetness.
- Dijon mustard - adds an extra little bite of flavor.
- garlic powder - balances the sweetness of the honey and enhances the chicken's flavor.
- beer - any kind of beer will work, so feel free to use your favorite for best results.
🔪 Let's Make Crock Pot Beer Chicken!
(Or click here to jump right to the recipe card with measurements!)
Add Onion
Add the chopped onion in a layer in the bottom of the slow cooker.
Add Chicken
Place the chicken thighs over the onion.
Make Suace
In a mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, mustard, and garlic powder.
Cover Chicken
Pour beer over the chicken.
Slow Cook
Add sauce to the chicken, then cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- Make this dish leaner by trimming off some of the excess fat from the chicken thighs.
- Don't cut up the onion so fine if you want it to be more prevalent in the final dish.
- Frozen diced onion is a great shortcut, though you'll probably achieve better flavor with fresh onion.
- A lighter beer will result in a milder flavor, so if you want something more rich, go for a darker beer instead.
❔ FAQs
No, the beer in this recipe is just to add flavor and make the chicken tender. Any alcohol in the beer cooks out in the crock pot.
Yes, as long as you cook the chicken all the way through, there's no risks to slow cooking raw chicken.
Use a digital thermometer and insert into the thickest part of the chicken. Check for a temperature of at least 165 degrees F to ensure it's safe to eat.
📝 Substitutions and Variations
- If you prefer lighter meat, use boneless skinless chicken breasts instead of the thighs. You'll need to reduce the cooking time slightly for chicken breasts.
- For some extra veggies, add broccoli, bell peppers, or carrots.
- Use maple syrup instead of honey for a slightly different flavor.
Kristin's Kitchen Tip
These beer braised chicken thighs are great to serve over your choice of rice or noodles, but they can also be enjoyed all on their own!
🥡 Storage and Reheating
Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You could also freeze the leftovers in a freezer safe bag for 3 months or so.
To reheat, cook over the stovetop or zap individual portions in the microwave. Add a splash of water or chicken broth if the chicken seems too dry. Allow frozen chicken to thaw in the fridge before reheating for best results.
Keep It Handy
Don't have time for this crock pot beer chicken recipe right now? Click on or tap the heart icon on the BOTTOM RIGHT of the screen to save it for later!
🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
Pair your beer braised chicken thighs with mashed potatoes, rice, or your favorite noodles. This crock pot beer chicken also goes great with a light side salad or a tray of roasted vegetables.
😋 More Slow Cooker Recipes You'll Love
- Cauliflower Mac and Cheese - This healthier take on the classic pasta dish has hidden veggies cooked right in!
- Crockpot Beef Stroganoff - A hearty and savory dish that's perfect for a filling meal any night of the week.
- Crock Pot Baked Ziti - Make this super convenient take on the dish you know and love for a delicious dinner.
- Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes - This side dish recipe from Butter Your Biscuit turns simple potatoes into a tender and cheesy masterpiece!
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Beer Braised Chicken Thighs
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📋 Recipe Card
Crock Pot Beer Chicken With Honey
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 2 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 ½ tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ cup beer (any kind)
Instructions
- Cover the bottom of the crock pot with the chopped onion.1 cup chopped onion
- Add the chicken thighs on top of the onion.2 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, mustard, and garlic powder.3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 ½ tablespoons Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Pour the beer over the chicken.¾ cup beer
- Pour the soy sauce mixture over the chicken.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Serve over rice or noodles.
Notes
Prep Tips:
- For a leaner dish, trim any excess fat from the chicken thighs before adding them to the crock pot.
- You can keep the onion chunky if you want them to stand out more in the dish.
- You can use frozen diced onion as a shortcut, if desired.
- Use a light beer for a milder flavor or a darker beer for richer, deeper notes.
Variation Suggestions:
- Swap the chicken thighs for chicken breasts if you prefer leaner meat (reduce cooking time slightly).
- Add sliced bell peppers or carrots for extra veggies.
- You can use maple syrup instead of honey if you like.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve over fluffy rice, buttered noodles, or mashed potatoes.
- Pair with a simple green salad or roasted vegetables.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or chives for a pretty presentation.
Storage Info For Leftovers:
- Store cooled chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Reheat the chicken on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth if the sauce thickens.
- You can freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
Update Notes: This post was originally published in April 2017, and was republished with tips, step by step photos, and a recipe change in October 2025.
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Happy cooking!
Jess says
This sounds amazing! 🙂
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Dale says
BLAND BLAND BLAND, I added cilantro, lime juice, paprika, salt and pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Now that was the ticket. Thanks for the basic boring recipe however.
Kristin King says
Glad to hear you were able to customize to your taste!
Carole from Carole's Chatter says
Hi Kristin, this is great. I hope you bring it over to Food on Friday (which is on right now) as part of Pot Luck. Each month there are now 3 different themes plus a Potluck – so you should always be able to share something. If you would like to join in the fun on a regular basis please schedule a reminder for the second Friday of each month (NZ time). Cheers from Carole's Chatter
Theresa says
Looks so yummy! Pinned & sharing Thanks for joining the Inspiration Spotlight party.
Miz Helen says
Your Chicken with Honey Beer Sauce is a great Crock Pot recipe! Hope you are having a great day and thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday!
Come Back Soon,
Miz Helen
Marilyn Lesniak says
Thank you for sharing your wonderful post at #OverTheMoon. I look forward to what you will share next week! Like someone in person today! We hope you’ll come back again next Sunday when we open our doors at 6:00 PM EST. Pinned and tweeted!
Monika Dabrowski says
This dish sounds so delicious and completely fuss free, with only a few ingredients and slow cooked, so it's great for busy people too. Thank you for sharing with FF:)
Colleen says
These look so amazing and I love that they don't require a lot of ingredients! Happy Fiesta Friday!
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
Honey beer sauce.... yum! Thanks for sharing on the What's for Dinner Link up! (Visited an ad or two while I was here too!)
Claire says
I will definitely try to make them for our next dinner., Thank you so much!