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
My Slow Cooker Secret for Juicy Chicken Thighs
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!
Over the years, I’ve tested this recipe for Crock Pot Chicken Thighs more times than I can count, tweaking the seasonings and adjusting the heat so the chicken comes out tender, juicy, and ready for anything from meal prep bowls to a comforting Sunday supper.
This is one of the most-visited recipes on A Southern Soul, and for good reason: it’s reliable. No guessing. No complicated steps. Crock Pot chicken thighs are one of my favorite easy slow cooker dinners because they turn out tender, juicy, and full of flavor with very little prep. My recipe uses bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and a sweet-savory honey soy sauce that cooks down into a rich glaze for serving over rice, mashed potatoes, or vegetables.
Enjoy!
Donya’s Tips and Things To Know
- Layer wisely. Place the thighs evenly in the slow cooker so they cook consistently.
- Avoid overcooking. Even though thighs are forgiving, 4–6 hours on LOW is the sweet spot.
- Don’t throw out the juices. The broth at the bottom is liquid gold — spoon it over rice, save it for soups, or whisk in a little butter for a quick pan sauce.
- Bone-in or boneless? Both work! Bone-in offers more flavor, while boneless are great for shredding.
Need serving ideas? I make a classic menu with Stuffed Baked Potatoes, Southern Style Green Beans, and warm Garlic Rolls. These slow cooker chicken thighs in a honey soy sauce make a comfort food meal that your family and friends will love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 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
Variations and Substitutions
- Swap the seasoning: Use taco seasoning, Greek seasoning, Cajun spice, BBQ rub, or a smoky paprika blend.
- Add veggies: Toss in sliced onions, carrots, potatoes, or mushrooms for a full one-pot meal.
- Make it creamy: Stir in a splash of heavy cream or a spoonful of sour cream at the end.
- Turn it into shredded chicken: Perfect for tacos, bowls, sandwiches, and meal prep.
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.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
- Sear the seasoned chicken thighs in a hot skillet until the skin turns golden and crisp. Transfer the thighs to your crock pot, placing them skin-side up.
- Whisk together the sauce ingredients — a mix of ketchup, soy sauce, honey, garlic, and dried herbs.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken, cover, and cook on HIGH or LOW until tender and the sauce thickens.
- Move the chicken to a serving dish and spoon the warm sauce from the bottom of the crock pot over the top.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy.
How Long To Cook Chicken Thighs In The Crock Pot
- Bone-in, skin-on thighs: 4 to 6 hours on LOW
- Boneless, skinless thighs: start checking earlier; often done in about 2.5 to 3.5 hours on LOW depending on size
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.
More Slow Cooker Favorites
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.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
FAQ: Quick Answers for Stress-Free Cooking
Yes! They keep beautifully. Store in an airtight container with the cooking juices to keep them tender.
Warm them in a covered skillet over low heat with a splash of broth or the cooking juices.
Absolutely. Freeze them with their liquid for up to 3 months.
Pop the cooked thighs under the broiler for 3–4 minutes.
This recipe is even easier with the right equipment! Discover my top slow cooker recommendations and make your cooking effortless.
What To Serve With Crock Pot Chicken Thighs
I love serving these chicken thighs over rice so they can soak up that delicious sauce, but sweet potatoes or pasta work just as well. Add something fresh on the side like a simple green salad or roasted veggies, and you’ve got a complete meal. If you’re in the mood for something heartier, roasted potatoes, sautéed green beans, and cornbread make an easy yet delicious family meal.
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!
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I never comment on these things ! BUT Honestly I suck at cooking, I am actually a doctor and I managed to make this. It turned out amazing !!!!! Thank you
Thanks so much for the great comment and the terrific rating!
~Donya
I only had 5 thighs but I did the entire recipe as though I had 8. I set time to low and came back after 3 hours and they were done perfectly. I think, had I left them in longer, 5 hours on low would have been too much. I did sear them – the crock pot was not preheated when I put everything in so I have to question the time. But they were delicious and family gobbled them up.
Awesome and thanks for the terrific rating!
~Donya
Made this for the first time tonight! The whole family loved it! Definitely worth the extra time to seat the chicken before putting in crock pot. Glad I didn’t skip this step.
Will definitely be making this again. This recipes will be added to the “family favourites”, section!
Thanks again! Looking forward to trying more of your recipes!
Awesome and thanks for the terrific rating! I am so glad you found me, Jenny! 2023 is going to be a great year cooking together.
~Donya
The sauce is delicious… I am wondering if anyone has ever tried to cook them in an Instapot. I just went for it tonight and I am kind of wishing I had seared the skin first. I totally forgot about that. Just wondering cooking times and helpful tips for next time, if any one knows.
We love this recipe! I repeat it every two weeks. We turn the leftovers into tacos and they are magnific!!! It’s very versatile
WOW! Sally, you’ve made my day. What great ideas and thank you for the outstanding rating.
~Donya
My chicken came out great! Thank you for the recipe. I am fairly new to crock pot cooking. I will definitely be cooking in it more often because I have an electric stove. I used a little low-salt soy sauce, molasses instead of honey, a little barbecue sauce, little ketchup, and caramelized onions and put them in my small pot. Then I layered the sauce over the chicken. Thank you so much!
Sounds great! Thanks for the outstanding rating.
~Donya
Loved this recipe. I cooked on low for 4 hours not 5 and it was perfectly cooked. I cooked 4 thighs so that might be why it cooked faster.
Thanks for the outstanding rating!
~Donya
Could this be make in an Instant Pot. If yes what changed would I make.
I’m sure it would work great in the instant pot but I’ve not tested it. Let me know how it turns out.
~Donya
I made this in the Instant Pot. It turned out great, after 5 minutes on high pressure, I did a natural release. The sauce was very thin (as usual when you pressure cook a slow cooker recipe), so I thought about using the sauté function to reduce it, but it tasted very good as it was so I thickened it with a slurry instead.
Love this recipe. I make it for my family 3-4 times a month. I like two grated cloves of fresh garlic, and a big chunk of fresh ginger grated also. A bit of fresh lime for some zest. Smoked paprika, and lots of chilli flakes.
Awesome!
Thanks, Alan. Great ideas. Thank you so much for the excellent rating.
Merry Christmas,
~Donya
Amazing!
Thanks, Jennifer for the excellent rating!
~Donya