The BEST Crock Pot Chicken Thighs Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
