Crock Pot Chicken Thighs

Chicken Thighs cooked in the crock pot make a mouthwatering recipe that's perfect for a busy weeknight or lazy weekends!
4.99 from 322 reviews

Chicken Thighs cooked in the Crock Pot make a mouthwatering recipe that’s perfect for a busy weeknight or lazy weekends! Juicy chicken coated in a thick, rich sauce flavored with garlic, honey, and soy sauce is a slow cooker hit.

Crock Pot Chicken Thighs in bowl of pot with serving fork.
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5 Star Reader Comment

I saved this recipe awhile ago and decided to make it. It is fantastic. I made it exactly as the recipe stated. I have a large cast iron skillet and browned the chicken as you stated. My wife loved it. Definitely going to make this again, amd it is so easy. I wouldn’t change a thing with this recipe…..Thank you!

Scott

Are you ready for one of the easiest and most delicious chicken recipes you’ll ever make in the slow cooker? Well, here it is!

Crock Pot Chicken Thighs is a main dish recipe creation that’s been on repeat in my kitchen for several weeks. It’s uncomplicated yet has a combination of flavors that go perfectly together. As the chicken cooks low and slow, the simple 8-ingredient sauce infuses the perfect amount of sweet and savory flavors, making this a recipe you will love.

Need serving ideas? I make a classic menu with Stuffed Baked Potatoes, Southern Style Green Beans, and warm Garlic Rolls. It’s a comfort food meal that your family and friends will love.

Ingredients For This Recipe

Seared chicken thighs in a cast iron skillet for Crock Pot Chicken Thighs recipe.
  • Chicken Thighs – I use bone-in, skin-on for the best flavor and texture.. You can use boneless, skinless chicken if you prefer.
  • For The Sauce – Ketchup, Soy Sauce, Honey
  • Seasonings – Onion Powder, Dried Mustard, Dried Thyme, Dried Parsley, Salt and Pepper

Can I Cook Chicken on High or Low in a Crockpot?

Cooking chicken on low is generally better for tenderness and flavor, taking 6-8 hours. High works too, but for 3-4 hours, it can be less tender.

Do I Need To Sear The Chicken First?

For this recipe, getting a good sear on the chicken is best. It helps impart extra flavor. I use a cast iron skillet (get it screaming hot) to brown the chicken. Work in 2 batches so the chicken does not touch while searing the skin.

Can I Use Boneless Chicken Thighs?

Yes, you can. You can use boneless, skinless thighs if you can’t find bone-in, skin-on thighs at the store. I recommend searing the chicken to impart extra flavor before adding it to the crock pot.

Can You Put Raw Chicken Straight Into a Slow Cooker?

Yes, you can put raw chicken straight into a slow cooker. Season it, then cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) for food safety.

Chicken Thighs in rich, thick sauce cooked in the crock pot and sprinkled with fresh parsley.

Substitutions For This Recipe

  • Add some extra spice with red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeñpos. Mix in grated fresh ginger and sprinkle on sesame seeds for an Asian flair.
  • Replace the ketchup with your favorite BBQ sauce and add in smoked paprika.

How Do I Thicken The Sauce?

Pour the slow cooker’s juices into a medium saucepan. Mix one tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of water and whisk into the chicken thigh juices. Simmer on low heat, whisking until the sauce has thickened.

How To Store Leftovers

Crock Pot chicken recipes are great for meal prep and can be made ahead of time. The cooked chicken and any leftover sauce keep well in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Store in a resealable container, then reheat before serving.

Crock Pot Chicken Thighs with sauce and sprinkled with parsley on a plate.

What To Serve With Crock Pot Chicken Thighs

These chicken thighs coated with all that yummy rich sauce go really well with any side dish that can soak up all the juicy goodness in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add in a fresh veggie or salad, and dinner is served!

Sliced Crock Pot Chicken Thigh with rice and green beans on a white plate.

This recipe is even easier with the right equipment! Discover my top slow cooker recommendations and make your cooking effortless.

If you tried this Crock Pot Chicken Thighs Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!

Crock Pot Chicken Thighs in bowl of pot with serving fork.

Crock Pot Chicken Thighs Recipe

4.99 from 322 reviews
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 817kcal
Print Pin Rate
Juicy, fall-apart chicken thighs slow-cooked in a bold, savory-sweet sauce made with garlic, honey, and soy. It’s comfort food with big flavor—just the kind of dish that makes weeknights easier and weekends even better.

Ingredients

  • 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • salt and pepper
  • ¾ cup ketchup
  • cup soy sauce
  • cup honey
  • 3 tablespoon minced garlic
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • ¼ teaspoon dried mustard
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley – optional

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a cast-iron skillet or heavy bottom pan. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper and sear, skin side down until golden. Remove the chicken from the pan and place skin side up in the crock pot.
  • To a medium-size bowl, add ketchup, soy sauce, honey, garlic, onion powder dried thyme, dried parsley, and dried mustard. Whisk together and pour over the chicken. Place lid on the crock pot and cook on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 5 hours until chicken is done and the sauce has thickened.
  • Remove chicken and place on a serving dish. Spoon over the sauce from the bottom of the crock pot, sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve.

Video

Notes

How To Thicken The Sauce: Pour the juices from the slow cooker into a medium saucepan. Mix together one tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of water and whisk into the chicken thigh juices. Simmer on low heat, whisking until the sauce has thickened.
Leftovers: The cooked chicken and any leftover sauce keep well in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Store in a resealable container, then reheat before serving.
 
Nutritional values provided are an estimate and will vary depending on the brands used.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 · Calories: 817kcal · Carbohydrates: 40g · Protein: 50g · Fat: 52g · Saturated Fat: 13g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g · Monounsaturated Fat: 22g · Trans Fat: 0.2g · Cholesterol: 283mg · Sodium: 1713mg · Potassium: 802mg · Fiber: 1g · Sugar: 33g · Vitamin A: 460IU · Vitamin C: 4mg · Calcium: 49mg · Iron: 3mg
2 images of Crock Pot Chicken Thighs for Pinterest.

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404 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This was absolutely delicious. Used 12 bone in skin on chicken thighs so doubled the sauce. Substituted ketchup with sugar free sweet Carolina barbecue sauce. Used cornstarch and water to thicken as suggested. Served with whole grain rice and broccoli. Devine 😍

  2. 5 stars
    Was absolutely delicious!! The only thing different I did was put the chicken under a broiler on high in the oven on a foil lined pan to crisp the skin because I didn’t want to wash a pan 😂 I paired this with garlic, green onion linguini ( https://www.food.com/recipe/linguine-with-green-onions-160389) and fresh green salad with Makoto soy/ginger dressing. It was amazing!!!

  3. 5 stars
    Excellent. I was just making 4 thighs, but made all the sauce which was great to have on rice. I think this might not make quite enough sauce for 8 thighs.

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