One-Pot Honey Garlic Chicken & Veggies Recipe

We all have those weeks—you know, the ones where the calendar is filled with work, soccer practice, baseball games, and an endless stream of “what’s for dinner?” questions from the little ones. I’ve been there. Cooking a whole meal after a long, chaotic day often feels like the last thing I want to do.

That’s why this Honey Garlic Chicken recipe is such a lifesaver. It’s quick, it’s easy (hello, no sautéing!), and it’s packed with flavor. Bonus? With juicy chicken and tender veggies coated in a sticky, sweet, garlicky sauce, it’s one of the only meals where even my picky eater happily devours his carrots (a MIRACLE). Win for mom. Win for everyone.

If you’re a home cook, a meal prepper, or a busy parent trying to keep it all together, you’re going to love this one. Let’s get cooking! 🍴

Why You’ll Love Honey Garlic Chicken

• Quick and Simple: Prep it in 10 minutes, then let the crockpot or dutch oven do the rest. Seriously, just dump and go.
• Versatile Cooking Methods: Didn’t plan ahead? No worries! Use a dutch oven for faster cooking or a crockpot if you have more time.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Freeze all the ingredients ahead of time, then thaw and cook on your busiest days. Dinner, sorted.
• Fully Balanced Bowl: Chicken, potatoes, carrots, and green beans—all in one dish. Serve it with buttery rolls or rice for extra comfort food vibes.

Chef’s Confession

About a year ago, I fell deep into the world of freezer meals—spending a couple of hours prepping weeks’ worth of dinners so the “What are we eating?” panic would disappear. This Honey Garlic Chicken was already a household favorite, but when I realized I could freeze the ingredients ahead of time and turn it into a dump-and-go meal, my life was forever changed.

Every spring, when baseball AND soccer season kick off, this recipe gets me through busy weeknights. There’s something about pulling a gallon freezer bag out of the fridge, dumping it into the pot, and having an hour (or less) of completely hands-off cooking time. It’s glorious, and I bet it’ll save your sanity, too.

Dutch Oven vs. Crockpot—What’s Better?

It depends on your mood (and how much time you actually have):

• Crockpot: Perfect for mornings when you’re on top of life and remember to throw dinner together before heading out the door. Set it and forget it, but fair warning—it can dry out your chicken if left too long.
• Dutch Oven: Forgot to meal prep? (Been there.) Use a dutch oven instead. It’s faster (just 1 hour 15 minutes in the oven!), and it keeps your chicken tender and moist. Plus, it soaks up SO much flavor from the sauce while cooking.

Personally, I tend to lean toward the dutch oven because… well, flavor. But hey, when time’s tight, the crockpot still reigns supreme for convenience.

The Recipe You’ve Been Waiting For

Ingredients:

Chicken & Veggies:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 lb baby red potatoes, halved
• 1 lb baby carrots
• 1 lb frozen green beans

The Sauce (aka Liquid Magic):

• 1 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
• 1 cup honey
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp ground black pepper

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Sauce:

In a large bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, ketchup, garlic, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, and black pepper.

2. Make It Freezer-Meal-Ready (Optional):

Place the chicken, potatoes, carrots, and the sauce into a gallon-sized freezer bag. Lay it flat to freeze and save for later.

3. Thaw:

When ready to cook, take the bag out of the freezer and thaw it in the fridge overnight.

4. Cooking (Two Options):

• • • Crockpot: Add everything to your slow cooker and cook on low for 4 hours.
    • Dutch Oven: Preheat the oven to 325°F. Add everything to the pot, cover, and bake for 1 hour 15 minutes, or until the veggies are tender and the chicken is cooked through.

5. Add the Green Beans:

Toss in the frozen green beans halfway through cooking time for that vibrant, snappy finish!

6. Serve & Enjoy:

Scoop the chicken and veggies into bowls. Don’t forget to drizzle that incredible sauce on top. Pair it with fluffy rice or a buttery roll for ultimate comfort.

Freezer Meal Magic

This recipe adapts beautifully into a make-ahead freezer meal. Here’s how to do it step-by-step (because future-you will LOVE this):

1. Combine all the ingredients in a gallon-sized freezer bag. Lay it flat, squeeze all the air out, and pop it into the freezer.
2. The night before cooking, take it out and place it in the fridge to thaw.
3. Cook as you normally would (low for 4 hours in the crockpot, or in a dutch oven for 1 hr 15 min at 325°F).

Meal prep doesn’t get much easier than this.

Tips to Make It Your Own

• Spice It Up: Add a little extra crushed red pepper or drizzle with Sriracha for a spicy kick.
• Sweeten the Sauce: Prefer it sweeter? Use an extra tablespoon of honey or swap ketchup for BBQ sauce.
• Swap the Veggies: No potatoes in the pantry? Sweet potatoes work amazingly well here!

Why My Kids Love It (and Yours Will, Too!)

My son isn’t exactly a veggie lover, but as soon as the honey garlic sauce works its magic? Those once-ignored carrots disappear in seconds. It’s meals like these that make dinnertime easy and tantrum-free—because nothing beats watching your kids clear their plates (and ask for seconds).

Dinner Time, Simplified

There you have it—one ridiculously easy, crazy delicious meal perfect for even the busiest families. Whether you cook it fresh, pop it in your crockpot, or prep it weeks in advance as a freezer meal, this Honey Garlic Chicken recipe will quickly become a go-to for weeknight dinners.

Baseball games? Soccer carpool? A packed workday? No problem. Dinner is DONE.

What are your favorite make-ahead dinners? Share in the comments below—I’m always looking for new ideas. 😊

Love easy meal ideas? Be sure to check out our full list of quick & easy family dinners here.