Description
This Crock Pot Chicken Thighs recipe delivers tender, juicy chicken packed with deep, smoky flavors enhanced by a blend of spices and a savory sauce. Perfect for an easy, hands-off dinner, the chicken is first seared for crispy skin, then slow-cooked to perfection in a flavorful broth, creating a comforting and delicious meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2.5 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 6–8 pieces)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce
- 1/3 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure better searing. In a small bowl, mix together salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes. Rub this seasoning mixture evenly over all sides of the chicken thighs.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 3 to 4 minutes until the skin turns a golden brown and becomes crispy. Flip the chicken and sear the other side for 2 minutes. This step locks in juices and adds flavor.
- Transfer to Crock Pot: Move the seared chicken thighs into the crock pot, arranging them in a single layer if possible.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the low-sodium chicken broth, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, and brown sugar until well combined.
- Cook: Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken in the crock pot. Cover with the lid and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. The chicken should become tender and fully cooked through.
- Optional Crisping: For crispy skin, transfer the cooked chicken thighs to a baking sheet and place under the broiler for 3 to 5 minutes until the skin crisps up.
- Serve: Spoon the flavorful juices from the crock pot over the chicken when plating. Enjoy immediately for best taste and texture.
Notes
- For a leaner option, you can substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs, but reduce the cooking time slightly as they cook faster.
- Add root vegetables like carrots or potatoes around or beneath the chicken for a complete one-pot meal.
- Leftover chicken is delicious shredded for sandwiches or tossed into salads.
