The BEST Crock Pot Chicken Thighs Recipe

Introduction

This Crock Pot Chicken Thighs recipe delivers tender, juicy chicken with a rich, flavorful sauce that’s easy to prepare. Perfect for busy days, it combines simple ingredients for a comforting meal everyone will love.

Ingredients

• 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• ¾ cup ketchup
• ⅓ cup soy sauce
• ⅓ cup honey
• 3 tablespoons 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

1. Step 1: Heat olive oil in a cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper, then sear them skin side down until golden brown. Remove from the pan and place the chicken skin side up in the crock pot.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together ketchup, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, onion powder, dried thyme, dried parsley, and dried mustard. Pour this sauce evenly over the chicken in the crock pot.
3. Step 3: Cover the crock pot and cook on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 5 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened.
4. Step 4: Remove the chicken to a serving dish, spoon the sauce from the crock pot over the top, and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley if desired. Serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crispy skin, sear the chicken longer before transferring to the crock pot.
• Try swapping honey for maple syrup or brown sugar for a different sweetness profile.
• Add a splash of apple cider vinegar to the sauce for a tangy twist.
• If you prefer boneless chicken thighs, reduce cooking time by about 30 minutes.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or in a saucepan over low heat to avoid drying out the chicken. The sauce can thicken more when chilled; stir in a little water or broth when reheating if needed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, but chicken breasts will cook faster and can dry out easily. Reduce cooking time and consider adding more sauce or moisture to keep them tender.

Do I need to sear the chicken before crock pot cooking?

Searing helps develop flavor and crisps the skin, but it is optional. If you’re short on time, you can skip this step and place the chicken directly into the crock pot with the sauce.

The BEST Crock Pot Chicken Thighs Recipe

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4.8 from 127 reviews

Tender and flavorful bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs slow-cooked in a sweet and savory honey-soy garlic sauce, making the best crock pot chicken thighs with minimal effort and maximum taste.

• Author: Lisa
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours (high) or 5 hours (low)
• Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes (high) or 5 hours 15 minutes (low)
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Sauce

• ¾ cup ketchup
• ⅓ cup soy sauce
• ⅓ cup honey
• 3 tablespoons minced garlic
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• ¼ teaspoon dried mustard

Garnish (optional)

• 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley

Instructions

1. Prepare and sear chicken: Heat olive oil in a cast-iron skillet or heavy bottom pan over medium-high heat. Season the chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper. Place the chicken skin side down in the hot pan and sear until the skin is golden brown and crispy, about 4-5 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and place each piece skin side up in the crock pot.
2. Make the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together ketchup, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, onion powder, dried thyme, dried parsley, and dried mustard until well combined.
3. Cook in crock pot: Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken thighs in the crock pot. Cover with the lid and cook on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 5 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce has thickened.
4. Serve: Remove the chicken from the crock pot and transfer to a serving dish. Spoon the thickened sauce from the bottom of the crock pot over the chicken. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley, if desired, and serve hot.

Notes

• For best results, use bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs for moisture and flavor.
• Searing the chicken before slow cooking helps to develop a richer flavor and crispy skin.
• If thicker sauce is desired, remove the chicken after cooking and simmer the sauce in the crock pot on high without lid for 10-15 minutes to reduce further.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
• Serve with rice, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

Keywords: Crock Pot Chicken Thighs, Slow Cooker Chicken, Honey Soy Chicken, Easy Chicken Recipe, Comfort Food