Perfect! 🍗 Slow-cooked chicken thighs are juicy, tender, and practically fall-off-the-bone. Here’s a versatile recipe that works for weeknights or meal prep.
🥘 Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or boneless if preferred)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp olive oil (optional, for searing)
- 1 cup chicken broth (or water + bouillon)
- 1 onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Optional add-ins: carrots, potatoes, mushrooms, bell peppers, herbs (thyme, rosemary, parsley)
Instructions
1️⃣ Prep the chicken
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Optional: Sear chicken in olive oil 2–3 minutes per side for extra flavor (not required, but delicious).
2️⃣ Layer the slow cooker
- Place onion and garlic (and optional veggies) in the bottom.
- Add chicken thighs on top.
- Pour broth around (not over) the chicken to keep seasoning intact.
3️⃣ Cook
- Cover and cook on LOW 6–7 hours or HIGH 3–4 hours, until chicken is tender and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
4️⃣ Serve
- Spoon pan juices over chicken.
- Optional: garnish with fresh parsley or squeeze of lemon.
🔥 Tips & Variations
- Sticky garlic honey: Add ¼ cup honey + 2 tbsp soy sauce in last hour.
- Mediterranean: Add olives, cherry tomatoes, oregano, and a splash of lemon juice.
- Creamy: Stir in ½ cup cream or coconut milk at the end.
- Crispy skin option: Broil 2–3 minutes at the end if using skin-on thighs.
If you want, I can give a 5-ingredient ultra-easy slow cooker chicken thigh version that’s practically set-it-and-forget-it. Do you want that version too?
