The most flavorful slow cooker chicken thighs served with hearty vegetables! Tender pieces of chicken, potatoes, carrots, and corn, all simmered in a lemon garlic herb sauce. If you’re a fan of Crock-Pot meals, check out my other recipes for chicken noodle soup, turkey breast, and
honey garlic chicken.
Slow cooker chicken thighs are the perfect meal for lazy Sunday suppers or busy weeknight dinners. Protein and hearty root vegetables simmer in a light lemon sauce that infuses tons of flavor. I recommend searing the chicken on the stovetop to elevate this dish before adding it to the vessel. Doing so adds a flavorful golden brown hue to the skin and a crisp texture. The skin-on chicken thighs braise inside the Crock-Pot, creating tender pieces of meat and vegetables that absorb the fragrant gravy. Adding in fresh rosemary and thyme creates earthy and enticing aromas. Make sure to drizzle a little more sauce liquid over your plate before serving. This is a delicious recipe that your family will love. Sear the chickenAffordable chicken thighs are chosen for this recipe because they are rich in flavor. The increased amount of fat compared to lean chicken breasts keeps them juicy. I like bone-in pieces because it prevents the poultry from overcooking. Leave the skin on; the extra fat renders onto the meat during slow cooking for a richer taste. Because the skin is fatty, I first like to brown the chicken on the stovetop. Searing adds more flavor and an attractive appearance. Skipping this step will create a flabbier texture and greasier sauce. The moist environment will soften the skin, but you will have an opportunity to further crisp the skin in the broiler before serving. Prepare a lemon sauceThe best part of this chicken recipe is that the sauce is made right in the same pot, thickening and becoming more flavorful as time passes. The mixture of chicken broth or stock, flour, lemon juice, garlic, rosemary, and thyme simmers together gently, forming a delicious liquid. Add one tablespoon of soy sauce if you want a more robust umami flavor. For a bit of spiciness, sprinkle in red pepper flakes. As the temperature gradually increases in the sealed slow cooker, the starches in the flour absorb the liquid, swell and gelatinize at its endpoint cooking temperature for maximum thickness. How to slow cook chicken thighsUse at least a 6-quart Crock-Pot to fit all of the ingredients. Make a bed of vegetables using onions, potatoes, carrots, corn, and garlic in the bottom of the vessel to elevate the chicken pieces. Add seared chicken, thyme, and rosemary sprigs followed by the sauce. Cover and cook on the high setting for 2 to 4 hours or 4 to 6 hours on the low setting. This thickest part of the chicken should reach between 165 to 170ºF (74 to 77ºC), and the potatoes are easily pierced with a knife. If desired, strain the sauce to make it smooth and remove any bits. To crisp up the chicken skin after slow cooking, brush it with oil, then broil it on a sheet pan until crunchy. The benefits of braisingBraising chicken thighs in the slow cooker creates the ideal steamy and hot environment for the poultry and vegetables to tenderize over an extended period. With a bit of patience, the collagen in the connective tissues of the meat breaks down and turns into gelatin, adding flavor and body to the sauce. The baby red potatoes, carrots slices, and corn wheels gently bubble in the fragrant garlic and herb gravy for a complete dinner. Serve this with
FAQIs it better to cook chicken thighs fast or slow? Dark meat contains more chewy connective tissue and fat. For meat that falls off the bone, it’s best to simmer the thighs. Braising in a slow cooker creates a moist heat environment to turn the collagen into rich gelatin and fat to render, creating moist and tender pieces. Should you brown the chicken before putting it in a slow cooker? Browning the meat or skin adds more flavor due to the Maillard browning process. It also renders the excess fat from thighs to prevent greasiness. Don’t thoroughly cook the meat, just create the golden crust since it can’t be achieved in a steamy pot. Does chicken get tough in a slow cooker? If not carefully monitored, lean white meat like breasts can become tough in the slow cooker. Dark meat like thighs and legs benefit from the moist heat environment and long cook time. The fat adds flavor and a proactive barrier to the meat. Bones don’t heat up as fast and won’t overcook as quickly. Should chicken be covered in liquid in a slow cooker? It does not need to be fully submerged in liquid. As the ingredients in the pot cook, the heat will cause the chicken and vegetables (if used) to release some juices. Plus, any additional liquids added to the pot will generate steam to cook any exposed ingredients in the covered pot. Benefits of bone-in chicken thighsBone-in chicken thighs stay tender and juicy when cooked for extended periods. This happens because meat contains more fat, the connective tissues soften, and the calcium-rich porous bones don’t retain as much heat, cooking it more evenly for a longer time. Boneless skinless thighs can be used. However, they will cook faster. Remove from the pot once it reaches between 165 to 170ºF (74 to 77ºC), and cover to keep warm. Briefly sear the meat. Pin this recipe to save for later Pin This
Nutrition Facts Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs Amount Per Serving Calories 419 Calories from Fat 171 % Daily Value* Fat 19g29% Saturated Fat 3g15% Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 10g Cholesterol 105mg35% Sodium 499mg21% Potassium 241mg7% Carbohydrates 36g12% Fiber 5g20% Sugar 5g6% Protein 27g54% Vitamin A 8400IU168% Vitamin C 11.6mg14% Calcium 20mg2% Iron 1.4mg8% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Tried this recipe? Tag me on Instagram. I'd love to see how it turns out! Tag @jessica_gavin Filed under: American Chicken Chicken Main Dairy Free Dinner Ideas Family Friendly Slow Cooker Stovetop Video Published on October 17, 2022 This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. I'm a culinary school graduate, cookbook author, and a mom who loves croissants! My passion is creating recipes and sharing the science behind cooking to help you gain confidence in the kitchen.
You May Also LikeSlow Cooker 2 hrs 10 mins Reader InteractionsHow long does a chicken thigh take to cook?Boneless, skinless chicken thighs cook quickly, in 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size. Bone-in thighs, however, take a bit more time, between 25 and 30 minutes. Use a thermometer to measure the internal temperature of the thighs. They're finished cooking when the temperature reads 165°F.
Is it better to cook chicken on high or low in crock pot?Always cook your boneless skinless chicken breasts on LOW for the best results. I do not recommend cooking boneless chicken breast on HIGH, as it will become very dry, even if you check it early. On high, the chicken turns out drier; I consistently have the best results with low.
How long should you cook chicken in the crockpot?Cover your crock pot and cook chicken breasts on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Chicken is done when the internal temp reaches 165 degrees F. Use chicken in your favorite recipes. Perfect for shredding!
How long does it take to cook raw chicken in a crock pot on high?Place the chicken and stock, broth, or water in a 4-quart or larger slow cooker. Cook the chicken. Cover and cook until the chicken is tender and registers an internal temperature of 165°F, 4 to 5 hours on the LOW setting, or 2 to 3 hours on the HIGH setting. Shred the chicken.
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