Get ready to discover your new favorite set-and-forget meal. This recipe for Crock Pot Chicken Thighs is the answer to busy weeknights, delivering incredibly tender, juicy, and flavorful chicken with minimal effort. The slow cooker does all the work, gently simmering the chicken in a savory blend of herbs and spices until it’s fall-apart perfect. It’s a comforting, delicious meal that the whole family will love.
We’re taking simple ingredients and transforming them into a restaurant-quality dish right in your kitchen. This recipe is designed for home cooks who want maximum flavor with minimum fuss. Let’s dive in!
Why This Crock Pot Chicken Thighs Recipe is a Weeknight Lifesaver
There are countless reasons to love this dish, but it truly shines on busy days when you need a reliable, hands-off dinner. It’s a game-changer for meal prep and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
- Incredibly Easy: With just 10 minutes of prep time, this recipe is perfect for beginners and seasoned cooks alike. Just mix the sauce, pour it over the chicken, and let the slow cooker work its magic.
- Melt-in-Your-Mouth Tender: Using chicken thighs ensures the meat stays moist and juicy. The slow cooking process breaks down the connective tissues, resulting in exceptionally tender chicken every single time.
- Packed with Flavor: A simple yet powerful combination of garlic, herbs, and savory broth creates a delicious sauce that infuses the chicken as it cooks.
- Versatile: This chicken is a fantastic base for so many meals. Serve it whole over rice, shred it for tacos or sandwiches, or pair it with your favorite vegetables. If you love this flavor profile, you have to try our popular Marry Me Chicken.
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
You don’t need a long list of fancy ingredients for these amazing slow cooker chicken thighs. This recipe uses pantry staples to create a rich, savory flavor.
- Chicken Thighs: We recommend using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for the most flavor and moisture, but boneless, skinless thighs work great too.
- Olive Oil: Just a little for searing the chicken, which builds a delicious crust.
- Chicken Broth: The base of our cooking liquid, adding depth and savory notes.
- Spices: A classic combination of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper creates the perfect all-purpose seasoning rub.
How to Make the Best Crock Pot Chicken Thighs: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making delicious Crock Pot Chicken Thighs is as easy as 1-2-3. Follow these simple steps for a perfect result.
Step 1: Prepare the Flavorful Rub
In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel, then generously season all sides with the spice mixture. This step is crucial for building a flavorful foundation.
Step 2: Sear for Maximum Flavor (Optional but Recommended!)
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 3-4 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Flip and sear for another 2 minutes. This step creates a beautiful color and deepens the flavor, but you can skip it if you’re short on time.
Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection
Place the seared chicken thighs into the bottom of your crock pot. Pour the chicken broth around the chicken. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours. The chicken is done when it’s tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Tips for Perfectly Juicy Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs Every Time
Keep these simple tips in mind to guarantee your chicken comes out 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.
- Choose the Right Cut: Bone-in chicken thighs tend to be more flavorful and forgiving than boneless, but both will be delicious. Cooking time may need to be adjusted for boneless thighs.
- Let it Rest: Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes after cooking before serving. This helps the juices redistribute, ensuring every bite is moist.
What to Serve With Your Chicken Thighs
These versatile chicken thighs pair beautifully with a variety of side dishes. You can create a complete, satisfying meal that your family will request again and again.
- Starches: Serve over creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy white or brown rice, egg noodles, or with a side of flavorful Spanish rice.
- Vegetables: Roasted broccoli, green beans, asparagus, or a simple garden salad make excellent, healthy companions.
- Bread: A crusty piece of bread is perfect for sopping up the delicious, savory sauce from the bottom of the crock pot.
Delicious Flavor Variations to Try
While this base recipe is fantastic, it’s also incredibly easy to customize. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
Add 1/4 cup of honey and 2 tablespoons of soy sauce to the chicken broth for a sweet and savory twist.
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs
For a rich, creamy sauce, check out our dedicated our Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken recipe (coming soon). It’s pure comfort food!
BBQ Shredded Chicken
Once the chicken is cooked, shred it with two forks, drain most of the liquid, and stir in your favorite BBQ sauce. Serve on buns for delicious sandwiches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work very well. They may cook slightly faster, so start checking for doneness on the earlier side of the time range (around 3-4 hours on LOW).
Yes, it is perfectly safe to put raw chicken directly into a slow cooker. The appliance cooks food at a low, steady temperature that is high enough to kill any harmful bacteria, ensuring the chicken is safe to eat.
Chicken thighs typically become very tender after cooking on LOW for 4-5 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours. The low-and-slow method is excellent for breaking down the connective tissues in the meat, resulting in fall-apart tenderness.
While it’s not strictly necessary, we highly recommend browning chicken thighs before slow cooking. Searing the skin in a hot skillet creates a delicious, crispy texture and adds a deep, savory flavor (thanks to the Maillard reaction) that you won’t get otherwise.
Both settings will fully cook the chicken, but the LOW setting does it over a longer period. For the most tender, juicy results with cuts like chicken thighs, cooking on LOW is generally preferred. The HIGH setting is great when you’re shorter on time.
Share Your Creations!
We are so excited for you to try this simple and delicious Crock Pot Chicken Thighs recipe! It’s a true workhorse for any home cook’s recipe collection. If you make it, please leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out. We love hearing from you! Don’t forget to share your amazing results on Pinterest!
Crock Pot Chicken Thighs Recipe
Crock Pot Chicken Thighs (The Easiest, Juiciest Recipe!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Season the chicken thighs generously on all sides with the spice mixture.
- (Optional) Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken skin-side down and sear for 3-4 minutes until golden and crispy. Flip and sear the other side for 2 minutes.
- Arrange the chicken thighs in a single layer in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Pour the chicken broth around the chicken.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C).
- Serve hot with your favorite sides. You can use the juices from the crock pot as a light sauce.
Notes
Gravy Tip: To make a simple gravy, carefully pour the juices from the crock pot into a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer and whisk in a slurry of 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water. Simmer until thickened.
