Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken

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Succulent boneless chicken thighs simmer slowly with honey and whole grain mustard, absorbing deep, sweet-tangy flavors. After shredding, the chicken is heaped onto soft rolls and paired with a fresh, crunchy slaw made from chopped red cabbage, apple cider vinegar, and a touch of additional honey mustard for zing. This easy approach transforms classic pulled chicken into irresistible sandwiches, perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings. Minimal prep and just a few ingredients let rich, homestyle flavors shine, all with comforting textures and a satisfying balance of slight sweetness and gentle heat. Enjoy right from the slow cooker!

Barbara Chef
Updated on Mon, 26 May 2025 12:49:30 GMT
Two sandwiches with meat and onions. Pin it
Two sandwiches with meat and onions. | gracefulflavors.com

This Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Shredded Chicken Sandwich turns just a handful of ingredients into a comforting pulled chicken dinner with bright tangy flavor and a quick homemade slaw. It is the answer for busy days when you are craving something both satisfying and simple alongside a crunch of fresh veggies.

I tried this first on a summer Sunday when friends dropped by and it was such a hit that now I make it for game nights potlucks and quick weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

  • Boneless skinless chicken thighs: tender moist and the perfect choice for slow cooking
  • Honey: adds sweetness and helps the sauce cling to the meat look for local honey with a fragrant aroma
  • Whole grain Dijon mustard: brings depth and a mild spice choose a quality variety for robust flavor
  • Water: necessary to create a pourable sauce and keeps the chicken juicy use filtered if possible
  • Cornstarch: thickens the sauce after cooking ensuring it coats every shred of chicken
  • Red cabbage (for the slaw): provides crunch and color choose tightly packed heads with glossy leaves
  • Olive oil: creates a rich base for slaw dressing reach for extra virgin for best taste
  • Apple cider vinegar: brightens the whole mix and balances out the sweetness of the honey
  • Salt and black pepper: simple seasonings that wake up the slaw and balance flavors
  • Sugar: just a touch in the slaw to balance acidity
  • Soft rolls: bring the sandwich together find bakery style buns that are pillowy soft

Step-by-Step Instructions

Make the Sauce:
Whisk together honey whole grain Dijon mustard and a quarter cup water until smooth. This is the secret to a balanced sweet tangy flavor base for your chicken.
Prepare the Chicken:
Nestle chicken thighs in a large slow cooker then toss them with the prepared sauce. This ensures every piece is coated and will cook gently in all that flavor.
Slow Cook the Chicken:
Set your slow cooker to low and cook the chicken for four to four and a half hours. The slow gentle heat keeps the chicken juicy and tender enough to shred easily.
Finish and Shred:
Mix two tablespoons water with cornstarch until dissolved. Add this mixture to the slow cooker then use two forks to shred the chicken into the sauce. Let it cook for about twenty more minutes until the sauce thickens and coats all the meat.
Make the Slaw:
Combine chopped or shredded red cabbage with olive oil apple cider vinegar a pinch of salt and pepper whole grain Dijon mustard honey and sugar. Mix well and refrigerate for a couple of hours or overnight. The flavors meld and soften the cabbage for just the right bite.
Serve:
Pile the saucy shredded chicken onto soft rolls and top with a generous scoop of crunchy slaw. Every bite gives sweet savory and tangy contrast.
A sandwich with meat and onions. Pin it
A sandwich with meat and onions. | gracefulflavors.com

The whole grain Dijon mustard is my favorite part of this recipe. It gives each bite that punchy depth that turns basic pulled chicken into something memorable. My family remembers our first cookout with this and now they always ask for it with extra slaw on the side.

Storage Tips

Leftover chicken keeps well in the fridge for up to four days. Store the slaw separately so it stays crisp. You can also freeze portions of the chicken for up to three months. Just thaw and reheat gently for an easy lunch or dinner.

Ingredient Substitutions

Boneless skinless chicken breasts work if you prefer a lighter option but be careful not to overcook as they can dry out. If you do not have whole grain Dijon mustard regular Dijon or even spicy brown mustard will do. For a touch of heat add a dash of cayenne or a small amount of hot sauce to the sauce mixture.

Serving Suggestions

Make sliders for a party platter with mini rolls and extra pickles on the side. Or serve the shredded chicken over rice or roasted potatoes if you want something different. The slaw also works as a salad base with the warm chicken on top.

A sandwich with meat and onions. Pin it
A sandwich with meat and onions. | gracefulflavors.com

Cultural and Historical Context

Pulled chicken sandwiches started as a popular Southern comfort food and now every region puts its spin on them. The honey mustard combo brings together classic American flavors of sweet BBQ and tangy deli mustard which is part of what makes this sandwich so crowd pleasing.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What type of chicken works best for this dish?

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are ideal because they stay juicy and shred easily after slow cooking.

→ Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, chicken breasts can be substituted, though thighs offer more moisture and flavor for pulled preparations.

→ How do I thicken the sauce if it's too thin?

Mix cornstarch with water and add it to the slow cooker, letting it cook a bit longer to thicken the sauce.

→ Is it necessary to refrigerate the slaw overnight?

Refrigerating the slaw overnight enhances its flavor and texture, but you can serve it immediately if needed.

→ What kind of rolls pair best with the pulled chicken?

Soft sandwich rolls or brioche buns work well, as they soak up the honey mustard sauce and hold together nicely.

Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken

Pulled chicken with sweet-tangy honey mustard, topped with crisp cabbage slaw and nestled in a soft sandwich roll.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
260 Minutes
Total Time
265 Minutes
By: Barbara

Category: Hearty Mains

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (8 chicken sandwiches)

Dietary: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ For the Chicken

01 1.36 kg boneless, skinless chicken thighs
02 60 ml honey
03 45 ml whole grain Dijon mustard
04 60 ml water
05 30 ml water, additional
06 2 teaspoons cornstarch
07 Salt, to taste
08 Black pepper, to taste

→ For the Slaw

09 300 g red cabbage, chopped or shredded
10 60 ml olive oil
11 45 ml apple cider vinegar
12 Pinch of salt
13 Pinch of black pepper
14 5 ml whole grain Dijon mustard
15 10 ml honey
16 10 ml sugar

→ To Serve

17 8 soft sandwich rolls

Instructions

Step 01

In a bowl, whisk together honey, whole grain Dijon mustard, and 60 ml water until fully combined.

Step 02

Place chicken thighs in the base of a large slow cooker and pour the honey mustard sauce over the chicken. Toss to coat evenly.

Step 03

Set the slow cooker to low heat and cook for 4 to 4½ hours until the chicken is tender and cooked through.

Step 04

Mix the additional 30 ml water with cornstarch to create a slurry. Add this mixture to the slow cooker. Using two forks, shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker. Continue to cook for 20 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.

Step 05

Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed.

Step 06

In a large mixing bowl, combine red cabbage, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, whole grain Dijon mustard, honey, and sugar. Toss to coat and refrigerate overnight for optimal flavor.

Step 07

Pile the honey mustard shredded chicken onto sandwich rolls. Top generously with slaw and serve immediately.

Notes

  1. For a more pronounced flavor, prepare the slaw in advance and allow it to marinate overnight in the refrigerator.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large slow cooker
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Two forks
  • Chef’s knife

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains mustard
  • Contains gluten if served on wheat rolls

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 399
  • Total Fat: 20 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 15 g
  • Protein: 42 g