Get ready to discover your new favorite weeknight dinner. These Crock Pot Chicken Thighs are the epitome of a “set it and forget it” meal, delivering incredibly juicy, fall-off-the-bone tender chicken with almost zero effort. We simmer bone-in chicken thighs in a rich, savory, and slightly sweet garlic and herb sauce that a slow cooker magically transforms into a delicious gravy. This recipe is a lifesaver for busy days, guaranteeing a comforting and flavorful meal that the whole family will love. Forget dry, bland chicken; this slow cooker method ensures perfectly moist results every single time.
Why You’ll Love This Crock Pot Chicken Thighs Recipe
If you’re looking for a recipe that’s big on flavor but low on effort, you’ve found it. This dish is designed for the enthusiastic home cook who wants to create impressive meals without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s practically foolproof!
- Minimal Prep: With just a few minutes of prep time, you can have everything in the slow cooker and ready to go. No browning or pre-cooking required!
- Incredibly Tender: The slow cooking process breaks down the connective tissues in the chicken thighs, making them unbelievably tender and succulent.
- Flavorful Sauce: All the ingredients meld together in the crock pot to create a deeply savory sauce that’s perfect for spooning over mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta.
- Versatile and Customizable: This recipe is a fantastic base. Feel free to add vegetables like potatoes and carrots or adjust the seasonings to make it your own.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Make a big batch and enjoy the leftovers for lunch or dinner throughout the week. The flavor gets even better the next day! For another great meal prep idea, check out this High-Protein Chicken Enchilada recipe.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this recipe lies in its simple, pantry-staple ingredients that combine to create something truly special. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Chicken:
- Chicken Thighs: We recommend bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for the most flavor and moisture, but boneless, skinless thighs work well too.
- Olive Oil: Just a touch to help the seasonings adhere to the chicken.
For the Savory Sauce:
- Chicken Broth: Use a low-sodium version to control the saltiness of the final dish.
- Soy Sauce: Provides a deep, savory, umami flavor. Use a low-sodium soy sauce or tamari for a gluten-free option.
- Brown Sugar: A little sweetness to balance the savory notes and help create a glaze-like sauce.
- Minced Garlic: Fresh garlic is best, but garlic powder can be used in a pinch.
- Dried Herbs: A simple blend of dried oregano, thyme, and paprika adds a classic, comforting flavor profile.
- Black Pepper: For a touch of gentle heat.
- Cornstarch: To create a slurry that thickens the sauce into a wonderful gravy at the end.
How to Make The Best Crock Pot Chicken Thighs
Making these delicious and tender Crock Pot Chicken Thighs is incredibly simple. Just follow these easy steps for a perfect result.
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. This helps the seasonings stick. Drizzle them lightly with olive oil.
- Mix the Seasonings: In a small bowl, combine the paprika, oregano, thyme, and black pepper. Rub this mixture evenly over all sides of the chicken thighs.
- Arrange in the Slow Cooker: Place the seasoned chicken thighs in the bottom of your crock pot in a single layer to ensure they cook evenly.
- Whisk the Sauce: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the low-sodium chicken broth, low-sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, and minced garlic until the sugar is dissolved.
- Pour and Cook: Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken thighs in the crock pot. Secure the lid and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be cooked through and tender.
- Thicken the Gravy: Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the crock pot and set it aside on a plate. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the liquid remaining in the crock pot. Turn the crock pot to HIGH, cover, and cook for another 15-20 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened into a gravy.
- Serve: Return the chicken to the crock pot and spoon the gravy over it. Serve hot with your favorite sides.
Tips for Success
While this is an easy recipe, a few simple tips will ensure your slow cooker chicken thighs are absolutely perfect.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pot: Arrange the chicken in a single layer to ensure it cooks evenly. If you need to make a larger batch, use a larger slow cooker.
- For Crispy Skin: The skin won’t get crispy in the crock pot. For a crispy finish, place the cooked chicken thighs on a baking sheet and broil in the oven for 2-4 minutes after they are done cooking. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning!
- Adjusting Cook Time: If using boneless, skinless chicken thighs, reduce the cooking time to 4-5 hours on LOW or 2-3 hours on HIGH to prevent them from drying out.
- Thickening is Key: Don’t skip thickening the sauce! It transforms the cooking liquid into a rich, delicious gravy that completes the dish.
What to Serve with Crock Pot Chicken Thighs
These versatile chicken thighs pair well with a wide variety of sides. The savory gravy is perfect for spooning over something that can soak it all up.
- Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, or even simple boiled potatoes are excellent choices.
- Rice: Serve over a bed of fluffy white or brown rice to soak up the delicious sauce. For a flavorful alternative, try this easy Spanish Rice recipe.
- Pasta or Orzo: Egg noodles or a simple orzo dish like this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Orzo would be a fantastic pairing.
- Vegetables: Steamed green beans, roasted broccoli, or glazed carrots add a fresh, healthy component to the meal.
- Bread: A side of crusty bread or warm biscuits, like these incredible Butter Swim Biscuits, is perfect for sopping up every last drop of the gravy.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
This recipe is great for leftovers! To store, allow the chicken and gravy to cool completely. Place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
To reheat, you can gently warm the chicken and gravy in a saucepan over medium-low heat on the stovetop until heated through. Alternatively, you can microwave it in 30-second intervals until hot. The chicken will remain moist and delicious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can absolutely put raw chicken directly into a slow cooker. The gentle, consistent heat of the crock pot is designed to cook raw meat safely and thoroughly over several hours.
Definitely. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work very well. Just be sure to reduce the cooking time to avoid overcooking them. We recommend 4-5 hours on LOW or 2-3 hours on HIGH.
No, you do not have to brown the chicken first for this recipe. While browning can add an extra layer of flavor, this recipe is designed for convenience and develops a deep, rich flavor from the sauce ingredients during the long cooking time.
The chicken is done when it is very tender and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) on an instant-read thermometer. For bone-in thighs, the meat should easily pull away from the bone.
Yes! Chicken thighs are an excellent cut for the slow cooker. Their higher fat content ensures they become incredibly tender and moist, easily falling off the bone after hours of slow cooking.
More Slow Cooker Favorites To Try
If you loved the simplicity and flavor of this dish, explore some of our other easy slow cooker recipes that are perfect for busy weeknights!
- Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup
- Crockpot Marry Me Chicken
- Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans
- Slow Cooker Texas-Style Chili
Crock Pot Chicken Thighs Recipe
Crock Pot Chicken Thighs (The Easiest, Juiciest Recipe!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel and drizzle with olive oil.
- In a small bowl, mix paprika, oregano, thyme, and black pepper. Rub the seasoning mix evenly over all sides of the chicken thighs.
- Place the seasoned chicken thighs in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker in a single layer.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, and minced garlic until combined.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken. Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Remove the chicken from the crock pot. In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch and cold water to make a slurry. Stir the slurry into the liquid in the crock pot. Cover and cook on HIGH for 15-20 minutes, until the sauce has thickened.
- Return the chicken to the thickened gravy, spooning some over the top. Serve immediately.
Notes
Boneless Thighs: If using boneless, skinless chicken thighs, reduce cook time to 4-5 hours on LOW or 2-3 hours on HIGH.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Share This Amazing Recipe!
We know you’ll fall in love with how easy and delicious these Crock Pot Chicken Thighs are! If you make this recipe, please leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out. Don’t forget to share it with your friends and family on Pinterest!
