Description
These Crockpot Chicken Thighs are juicy, tender, and packed with savory flavor. Slow-cooked with garlic, onions, herbs, and chicken broth, they’re an easy family dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or Sunday supper. Serve them whole or shredded with your favorite sides for a comforting meal everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds bone-in, skin-on or boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Fresh thyme
- Fresh rosemary
- Lemon wedges
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Lightly grease the inside of a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Spread the sliced onions evenly across the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
- Season both sides of the chicken with the Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- (Optional) Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet and sear the chicken thighs for 2 to 3 minutes per side until lightly browned.
- Place the seasoned chicken thighs on top of the onions in the slow cooker.
- Pour the chicken broth around the sides of the chicken.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 175–185°F.
- For crispy skin, transfer the cooked chicken thighs to a baking sheet and broil for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Spoon the cooking juices over the chicken, garnish with fresh parsley or thyme, and serve warm.
Notes
- Bone-in thighs provide the richest flavor, while boneless thighs are perfect for shredding.
- Searing the chicken before slow cooking is optional but adds extra depth of flavor.
- Avoid adding too much broth since the chicken releases plenty of juices as it cooks.
- Save the cooking liquid to drizzle over mashed potatoes, rice, or vegetables.
- Leftover chicken is excellent for tacos, sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, and pasta dishes.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 servings
- Calories: 345 per serving