Crock Pot Honey Mustard Chicken
If you’re looking for a fuss-free, family-friendly dinner that practically cooks itself, this Crock Pot Honey Mustard Chicken is your new best friend. It takes around 10 minutes to toss together, uses plenty of pantry staples, and slow cooks to tender, flavorful perfection while you focus on other things. The creamy honey mustard sauce is great drizzled over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, rice, or wrapped up in a sandwich for a quick bite.
In this post, I’m sharing all the tips and tricks to get the best results — from ingredient notes (including if you prefer thighs) to easy step-by-step slow cooker instructions with photos. I’ll also show you how to thicken up the sauce, store leftovers, freeze for later, and fix common hiccups, so your chicken stays juicy every time.
- Prep takes about 10 minutes; cooking is about 3 hours on LOW in your crock pot.
- Use boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs — thighs are more forgiving and juicy.
- Serve it over potatoes, noodles, rice, or inside sandwiches or tacos.
- Extra tips: how to keep chicken moist, variations, and a helpful FAQ section.
Perfect for Busy Weeknights
- It’s incredibly quick and simple to prep. Seriously, 10 minutes is all it takes to get this crock pot honey mustard chicken going. If you love dump-and-go dinners, this dump-and-go Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken is another fast favorite.
- Perfect for nights when everyone eats at different times. Life gets hectic, and sometimes we all eat in shifts. This dish can stay warm in the crock pot for a little while, so nobody misses out on a cozy, home-cooked meal.
- Easy to customize. Toss in some veggies, change up the sauce a bit, or switch the sides to keep dinner exciting with zero extra stress.
- Pairs beautifully with tons of sides. Think a fresh green salad, parmesan roasted potatoes, maple balsamic Brussels sprouts, or crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries—it all works!
Ingredients and Substitutions

- 1.5 lb chicken breast (about 4, 6 oz. pieces), or chicken thighs if preferred
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp black 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: 2 Tbsp cornstarch and 4 Tbsp cold water
Slow Cooker Method
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
- Season chicken all over with salt, black pepper, dried oregano, onion powder, and paprika.
- Whisk honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and melted butter in a small bowl until smooth.
- Pour the honey mustard sauce over the chicken, spreading to cover the meat.
-
Cover the crock pot and cook on LOW about 3 hours (check at ~2 hours) until chicken reaches 165°F.
- Once cooked, shred the chicken or pull into large chunks.
- About 30 minutes before serving, stir the heavy cream into the crock pot.
- To thicken the sauce (optional): whisk 2 Tbsp cornstarch with 4 Tbsp cold water until smooth, stir into the crock pot, and cook on LOW or WARM about 30 minutes until thickened.

Pro Tips for Juicy Chicken
- Don’t overcook your chicken. This can be tricky but it’s the biggest key to juicy meat. A crock pot that switches to warm automatically helps heaps. Otherwise, peek in at 2 hours to get ahead of it. Many crockpot breast recipes, like Healthy Crockpot Chicken Tacos, are done in about 2–3 hours.
- Always cook on LOW heat. HIGH settings dry out chicken breasts too quickly, so keep it low and slow every time.
-
FAT keeps it juicy. The butter in this honey mustard sauce seals in moisture for lean breasts. If you switch to thighs, you might skip the butter, or swap in olive oil if you like. For another rich, saucy option that stays moist, see Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken.
Ways to Customize the Dish
- Add veggies to the crock pot: Try mushrooms, chopped spinach added right before serving, or diced onions and bell peppers to bulk it up and add extra color and nutrition.
- Mix up the sauce: A splash of white wine or balsamic vinegar adds brightness, or a bit of Worcestershire sauce amps up the savory notes.
- Fresh herbs rock: Stir in chopped parsley, basil, or thyme right when you add the cream for a fresh flavor boost.
I like to serve this crock pot honey mustard chicken on a bed of comforting egg noodles or creamy mashed potatoes—that’s our favorite combo! If you’re craving a noodle-forward slow cooker dinner, try my Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken Noodles Recipe. Warm slices of Zucchini Cheddar Cheese Herb Beer Bread are also great for mopping up extra sauce.
For veggies, Roasted Parmesan Green Beans or Maple Glazed Herb Roasted Carrots make fantastic companions. If you want something lighter, a fresh Spring Green Burrata Salad is always a crowd-pleaser at our table.
Storing, Freezing, and Reheating
After dinner, store any leftovers in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. If you can, use a shallow container and cover the chicken with extra sauce—that helps lock in moisture.
To freeze, let it cool completely, then pop it in a freezer-safe container. It keeps well for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of water or cream if the sauce looks thickened too much. For an easy leftover remix, shred the chicken and stir it into Chicken Pot Pie Soup for a cozy, from-scratch-feeling dinner.

Quick Answers to Common Questions
-
Q: How long should I cook the chicken in the crock pot?
A: Plan on about 3 hours on LOW or until the chicken hits an internal temp of 165°F (74°C). If you can, check around the 2-hour mark because crock pots can vary quite a bit in heat.
-
Q: Can I use boneless skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts?
A: Absolutely! Thighs are great because they’re more forgiving and stay juicy. They might take a little extra time to cook through, though. If you choose thighs, you can leave out the butter since they already have more fat.
-
Q: Can I cook this on HIGH instead of LOW?
A: I don’t recommend it. Cooking chicken on HIGH tends to dry it out quickly, resulting in tough meat. Stick to LOW for the best juicy texture.
-
Q: How do I thicken the honey mustard sauce?
A: Whisk 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 4 tablespoons cold water until smooth, then stir it into the crock pot about 30 minutes before serving. Keep it on LOW or WARM until it thickens. Alternatively, you can simmer the sauce separately in a pan to reduce and thicken it.
-
Q: Can I add vegetables to the crock pot?
A: Yes! Add quick-cooking veggies like mushrooms or diced peppers during the last 1–2 hours of cooking. For heartier veggies like potatoes or carrots, chop them small or add them underneath the chicken at the start so they cook fully—similar to how potatoes soften in this Slow Cooker Cowboy Potato Casserole.
-
Q: How should I store and reheat leftovers?
A: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm gently in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat. Add a splash of water or cream if the sauce seems thick or dry. For frozen leftovers, thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
-
Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: Yes! Swap out heavy cream for full-fat canned coconut milk or another non-dairy creamer. Keep in mind the flavor will shift slightly. If you try yogurt, stir it in off the heat to avoid curdling.
-
Q: Can I double the recipe?
A: You sure can, as long as your crock pot is big enough. Bigger batches may take longer to cook, so use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
-
Q: Is this gluten-free?
A: The main ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but always double-check processed items like Dijon mustard or Worcestershire sauce to make sure they don’t have hidden gluten.
A quick and easy slow cooker recipe featuring tender chicken cooked in a creamy honey mustard sauce, perfect for busy weeknights and customizable with various sides and veggies.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 4 pieces, 6 oz each) or chicken thighs as preferred
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 2 Tbsp butter, melted
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- Optional: 2 Tbsp cornstarch and 4 Tbsp cold water (for thickening sauce)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
- Season chicken all over with salt, black pepper, dried oregano, onion powder, and paprika.
- In a small bowl, whisk together honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and melted butter until smooth.
- Pour the honey mustard sauce over the chicken, spreading it evenly to cover all the meat.
- Cover the crock pot and cook on LOW for about 3 hours, checking for doneness at around 2 hours. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Once cooked, shred the chicken or pull into large chunks.
- About 30 minutes before serving, stir the heavy cream into the crock pot.
- (Optional) To thicken the sauce, whisk cornstarch with cold water until smooth, stir into the crock pot, and cook on LOW or WARM for about 30 minutes until thickened.
Notes
Do not overcook the chicken to maintain juiciness. Use a crock pot with an automatic switch to warm if possible., Cooking on LOW heat is key; HIGH settings dry out the chicken quickly., Butter in the sauce helps seal in moisture for chicken breasts. For thighs, butter may be omitted or replaced with olive oil., Add quick-cooking vegetables like mushrooms or diced peppers in the last 1–2 hours of cooking; add hearty vegetables chopped small and placed under the chicken at the start., For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with full-fat canned coconut milk or non-dairy creamer, noting flavor changes., Leftovers store in the fridge for 3-4 days in an airtight container with extra sauce to retain moisture, or freeze for up to 3 months., Reheat gently with a splash of water or cream to loosen the sauce if needed., Double the recipe only if crock pot size allows; cooking time may increase.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 6 oz chicken per serving
- Calories: Approximately 350-400 calories per serving
- Fat: Approximately 15-20g per serving
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 15-20g per serving
- Protein: Approximately 35-40g per serving
More in Recipes
Crock Pot Beef Stew
Crockpot Butter Chicken
Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie
