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.
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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
- 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.
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.
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!
- Instant Pot Herb Rice
- BEST Stuffed Baked Potatoes
- Instant Pot Parmesan Noodles
- Skillet Green Beans
- Tomato Cucumber Salad
This recipe is even easier with the right equipment! Discover my top slow cooker recommendations and make your cooking effortless.
More Slow Cooker Favorites
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!
Ingredients
- 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- salt and pepper
- ¾ cup ketchup
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- ⅓ 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.
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I made this today and it is fabulous! Very easy and delicious!
Thanks so much, Scott. And, thank you for the outstanding rating!
~Donya
One word fabulous
Thank you for that and the fantastic rating! You’ve made my day.
~Donya
Fork tender and delicious! I added some dried onions and doubled the dry mustard. My family raved about the tenderness and taste,
Hey there Linda!
Wow! I am so happy to hear that everyone enjoyed this recipe, adding dried onion and a little extra mustard is a great idea if you love those strong flavors, it sounds like you made a wonderful meal! Thank you so much for your kind words of support and your fabulous rating, let me know if you ever have any questions about a recipe I’m always happy to help!
~Donya
This looks wonderful and yesterday I just bought a heap of chicken thighs (on sale, of course!) and I already have the rest of the ingredients! I was salivating while just looking at the recipe and picture. I’ve gotten away from using my crock pot since buying a Foodie but I am going to haul it out, dust it off and make it earn its keep (in my pantry, where space is always at a premium!). My paternal grandma was born in Indiana (Huntertown) too and she taught me how to cook starting at age 12, in 1966. She was the best cook ever and I learned so much from her (born in 1882). She made the best fried chicken I ever had and I continue to use her recipe to this day. It was all done by guess and I’ve never been able to tell any of my family members how to replicate it. My children and siblings showed no interest in learning how to do it anyways but they will certainly clear off a large platter when I serve a homemade chicken dinner! Thanks so much for posting this recipe as I’m going to give it a go and husband loves leftovers, especially meat! Thanks Donya and have a fantastic Thanksgiving. …Mertie
Hey there Mertie!
Thank you so much for your interest in this recipe and for sharing your story, I always love to hear how different people fell in love with cooking, my grandma was also very influential for me in that department! I am so glad to hear that you’re giving this recipe a try, it’s one my personal favorites, I think you and your husband are really going to love it. Please let me know how everything turns out, I’d love to hear what y’all think about this recipe, I hope you enjoy! Have a Happy Thanksgiving, and a Happy Holiday season!
~Donya
I am trying your recipe today but I can already tell it will be delicious. I’m looking for more recipes for my slow cooker. I’m very tired of cooking but since I’ve gotten new ideas I’m excited to try new recipes.
Hey there Linda!
I am so happy to hear that you’re giving this recipe a try and getting inspired! These Crock Pot Chicken Thighs are one of my absolute favorite meals, it’s simple to make thanks to the slow cooker and it’s crazy delicious. If you’re interested in other Crock Pot recipes, you should check out my guide for How To Get Started With Slow Cooking, it has tons of great recipes, tips and tricks. Thank you so much for your kind words of support and your amazing rating, let me know if you ever have any questions about a recipe, I’d be happy to help!
https://www.asouthernsoul.com/amazing-crock-pot-recipes/
~Donya
OTT
Hey there Steve!
I am so glad to hear that you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you so much for your fantastic rating and your support, let me know if you ever have any questions about a recipe, I’d be happy to help!
~Donya
It was delicious
Hey there Kevin!
Thank you so much for your kind words of support and your fantastic rating, I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed this recipe! Let me know if you ever have any questions about a dish, I’m always happy to help!
~Donya
Made this recipe today and although the chicken was tender and falling off the bone it was a bit too salty for my taste. I would definitely cut the amount of soy sauce, salt and garlic back. I added brown sugar to the mixture just to cut the saltiness. Will try it again but will make changes.
I always encourage making a recipe your own.
Thanks for following,
~Donya
Finally, a recipe I already have all the ingredients for in my kitchen! I have it going in the crockpot now and it smells amazing! Thank you for sharing. 😊
Hey there Kara!
I am so glad to hear that you gave this recipe a try, it’s a favorite in my house for the same reason, I pretty much always have the ingredients on hand! Thank you so much for your interest in this recipe, for your kind words and your fantastic rating, I’d love to hear how everything turned out, I hope you enjoyed! Let me know if you ever have any questions about a recipe, I’m always happy to help!
~Donya
Made it exactly to the recipe. It was crazy good. I reduced the sauce in a pan and poured it over the chicken and a bed of rice.
Hey there John!
Wow! I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed this recipe, it sounds like you made a fantastic meal! Since you liked this Crock Pot recipe, you should check out my Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan, it’s just as simple to prepare and the flavors are incredible! Thank you so much for your kind words of support, if you ever have any questions about a recipe, please don’t hesitate to reach out and ask!
~Donya