Honey Garlic Chicken Freezer Meal

Name: Honey Garlic Chicken Freezer Meal
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 1450 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds chicken thighs or breasts (boneless and skinless); 3-4 garlic cloves (minced); 1/3 cup honey; 1/3 cup soy sauce; 2 tablespoons rice vinegar; 1 teaspoon ground ginger (or to taste)

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

This dump-and-go honey garlic chicken freezer meal comes together in minutes. Simply mix, freeze, and cook later in the Instant Pot, slow cooker, or oven. So easy and delicious!

Honey garlic chicken on a bed of rice and garnished with sesame seeds and green onions

Table of Contents

I will admit that two years ago, when I launched my YouTube channel, I claimed I wasn’t a freezer meal person. But that’s when my daughter was a little babe who took naps.

Now that we are nearing kindergarten, life is full in a new way. We have preschool pickup and drop off, afterschool activities, playdates, PTA meetings. And no naps.

As such, I’ve totally changed my tune. Now more than ever, I feel the need to have freezer meals ready to go on busy nights (aka every night).

This dump-and-go chicken freezer recipe couldn’t be easier. Just mix everything in a bag, freeze it, and when you’re ready to eat, cook it in the Instant Pot, slow cooker, or oven.

I’ve shared other make-ahead favorites, like my 24 freezer meal ideas and freezer beef and broccoli. But in some ways, this honey garlic chicken freezer meal is even easier.

It takes just 10 minutes to prep and cooks up tender, flavorful, and ready-to-serve.

Chicken and rice on a plate with text overlay "Honey Garlic Chicken Freezer Meal Recipe."

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick: These honey garlic chicken dump-and-go bags come together in just a few minutes.

Pantry Staples: This recipe uses simple ingredients that you likely have in your pantry.

Easy to Cook: When you’re ready to eat, just cook straight from frozen in the Instant Pot or slow cooker, or thaw and bake in the oven. (You’ll find detailed cooking instructions below.)

Budget-Friendly: Preparing freezer meals is a great way to save money because you’ll be less tempted to grab takeout on busy nights.

Meal Prep: This honey garlic chicken is ideal for meal prep days or your Sunday reset. Make a few bags at once and stock the freezer for easy for weeks to come.

Ingredients

Chicken: I prefer chicken thighs, but you can use chicken breast. Either way, make sure they are boneless and skinless so they are quick and easy to cook and get on the table.

Garlic: Fresh garlic gives the best flavor, but if you’re short on time, garlic powder works as a quick substitute. Use about ⅛ teaspoon per clove.

Honey: Any honey will do. I prefer Azure Standard’s orange blossom honey.

Soy Sauce: I usually use a reduced-sodium soy sauce, but any variety will work.

Rice Vinegar: If you don’t have rice vinegar, you can substitute it with white wine vinegar, champagne vinegar, or apple cider vinegar.

Ginger: I used ground ginger for convenience, but fresh grated ginger adds even more brightness and warmth if you have it.

Get the full list of ingredients and measurements on the printable recipe card below.

Tools You Will Need

Freezer Bags: You will need freezer-safe bags or other suitable containers for freezer meals.

Step-by-Step Instructions

A freezer bag with chicken thighs inside

Step 1: Place the chicken in a large freezer bag. Roll the top of the bag down first to prevent a mess.

Minced garlic place on chicken thighs inside of a freezer bag

Step 2: Add the minced garlic.

Sauce in a freezer bag, poured over chicken and garlic

Step 3: Add the remaining ingredients.

Honey garlic chicken freezer meal laying flat on a counter in a labeled freezer bag

Step 4: Gently press out as much air as possible, then seal the bag. Place it inside a second freezer bag in case of leaks. Swish or lightly massage the bag to combine everything.

Lay the bag flat and freeze for up to 3 months. Read below for reheating instructions.

Reheating Instructions

Instant Pot

Place the frozen contents into the Instant Pot (you may need to thaw it slightly so it fits).
Add ½ cup of water.
Cook on high pressure for 20 minutes. Either a natural release or a quick release will work.
(Optional) Remove the chicken and switch to sauté mode. Bring the liquid to a gentle boil and stir in a slurry made from 1 tablespoon of cornstarch + 2 tablespoons of water. Stir until the sauce thickens.

Slow Cooker

Place the frozen contents directly into the slow cooker.
Cook on low for 5–6 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender.
(Optional) To thicken the sauce, stir in 1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of water during the last 15 minutes of cooking.

Oven

Thaw overnight in the fridge or cook from thawed for even cooking.
Place the chicken and sauce in a baking dish.
Bake at 375°F for 35–40 minutes, until chicken is fully cooked.

Tips for Success

This recipe makes one freezer bag. Double, triple…quadruple this recipe for as many freezer meals as you need.
Portion each bag based on your family size. I like to include enough for dinner plus a few leftovers.
Always label your bag with the recipe name and date. I also like to write “raw” on the bag so I remember that it needs to be cooked before serving.
Feel free to adjust the ingredients to your taste. Add a little extra honey for sweetness, more garlic for depth, or an extra pinch of ginger for warmth.

Overhead view of honey garlic chicken and rice on a white plate

Serving Suggestions

Rice: Honey garlic chicken is delicious served over Instant Pot freezer rice for an easy meal.

Noodles: For an Asian-inspired twist, try it over lo mein, ramen, or rice noodles.

Veggies: Add a side of roasted broccoli, steamed greens, or cabbage stir-fry.

Salad: I love topping a bed of leafy greens with warm honey garlic chicken. It’s also delicious in a lettuce wrap for an easy lunch.

Grains: Serve on a bed of slow cooker wheat berries, Instant Pot millet, or other grains for a hearty dinner.

Storing

Place all ingredients in a labeled freezer bag or reusable silicone bag. Freeze flat up to 3 months. (See the recipe card for detailed instructions.)
Any freezer will work, but a deep freezer is ideal since it doesn’t have a defrost cycle, which means fewer ice crystals and better texture after thawing.

Variations

Spicy: Before freezing, add sriracha or red pepper flakes for a kick of heat.

Teriyaki: Add sesame oil and swap out some of the honey for brown sugar.

Citrus: Add orange juice instead of vinegar for a bright, citrusy flavor.

Ginger Sesame: Add extra ground ginger and a drizzle of sesame oil for a nutty, aromatic twist.

A freezer bag filled with honey garlic chicken. Text overlay says, "Honey Garlic Chicken Freezer Meal Recipe."

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken to make this freezer meal?

Yes, you can add the sauce ingredients directly to a bag with frozen chicken. Just label it clearly and cook once it’s fully thawed or in the Instant Pot from frozen. Do not thaw, then refreeze the chicken.

Do I need to thaw before cooking?

Only if you want to! It cooks great from frozen in the Instant Pot or slow cooker. Though I’ve found that when cooking it in the oven, it is best if thawed first.

Can I use pork or beef instead of chicken?

Definitely, pork tenderloin or thin-sliced beef both work well with the honey garlic sauce. Just adjust the cook time as needed for the protein.

What’s the best way to thaw a freezer meal?

The safest way to thaw a freezer meal is in the refrigerator overnight. If you’re short on time, place the sealed bag in a bowl of cool water, changing the water every 30 minutes until thaw.

Let’s Connect!

If you tried this recipe and loved it, leave a comment or review below.

Also, don’t forget to pin this post and follow Moon + Magnolia on Pinterest. You can save all my recipes on your boards and keep up with the latest happenings!

Share your creations on Instagram and tag @moon_and_magnolia

More Freezer-Friendly Recipes