These Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs are perfectly seasoned with garlic and herbs, cooked until they easily pull from the bone! The juiciest, most flavorful crockpot chicken thighs!
Love chicken dinners? Check out my favorite 40 Chicken Dinner Ideas, 15 Chicken Casserole Recipes or these Easy Crockpot Chicken Breast Recipes!
Table of Contents
This recipe for Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs is a back-to-basics approach to making fall-off-the-bone, meltingly tender chicken thighs any day of the week.
I know, I know.
You might be thinking, “do we need another recipe for crockpot Chicken Thighs?”
(Especially when I’ve already written about my love for Slow Cooker Chicken Breasts).
And the answer to that question would be absolutely!
Here’s the thing: Not all recipes for chicken thighs cooked in the slow cooker are created equal.
These bone-in chicken thighs are seasoned with a savory blend of herbs and spices and seared before being added to the crockpot, which makes them incredibly flavorful and juicy.
See what people are saying!
“Tried this recipe today and it is a keeper!! The chicken thighs are so tender and flavorful. When it was done, I put the thighs under the broiler for a few minutes and crisped the skin up. Yummm. Thank you for a great recipe!!” — Gina
Love those crockpot chicken recipes? Check out my recipe for Crockpot Shredded Chicken if you’re looking for more inspiration!
If you’re looking for to make chicken thighs in the Instant Pot, these Instant Pot Chicken Thighs are similar in method and results, but come with a creamy garlic sauce that gets rave reviews!
How to make Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs:
- I like to use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs when I make this recipe. I know that some people are hesitant to use skin-on chicken thighs because they’re higher in fat, but the skin makes a huge difference in terms of flavor and it keeps the meat extra moist. (You can also prepare the chicken thighs as instructed in the recipe and and remove the skin just before serving.
- Take the time to brown the chicken thighs. Work in two batches if needed. The chicken shouldn’t touch or overlap. Don’t disturb the chicken thighs as they’re browning, the skin will naturally shrink away from the pan when its reached the crispy stage.
- Make a gravy out of the drippings left in the slow cooker. Whisk together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water or chicken stock until it forms a slurry. Turn the crockpot to high, stir the slurry into the remaining slow cooker liquid and whisk until the gravy thickens. To speed things up, strain the juices into a small pot and heat on the stove until simmering, then add the corn starch.
Variations on Crockpot Chicken Thighs:
- Cook potatoes in the slow cooker. Is there any chicken recipe that isn’t improved by the addition of potatoes (not according to my recipe for Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken & Potatoes, anyway)? Creamy potato varieties such as Yukon Gold or red skinned potatoes are ideal for serving with chicken thighs and gravy. Toss the potatoes with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and season with salt and pepper before nestling them under the chicken thighs in the crockpot. Cook on low heat for 5-6 hours.
- Add vegetables during the last hour of cooking. Fresh or frozen such as carrots, peas, corn, broccoli, and sweet pepper strips can be added during the last hour or half hour before the crock pot timer goes off (smaller or more delicate vegetables will need less time).
- Make Tex-Mex slow cooker chicken thighs. Replace the herbs and spices called for in the original recipe with a packet of taco seasoning. Serve with this Instant Pot Brown Rice!
- Brush chicken thighs with barbecue sauce. Once the chicken thighs are completely cooked they can be brushed with barbecue sauce. For even crispier skin, run the chicken under the broiler until the barbecue sauce begins to bubble before serving.
Can I use Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs?
Definitely! You can swap for the same amount of boneless, skinless chicken thighs, just reduce the cook time by half — about 2.5-3 hours on low will do it.
Skip the browning, season and add them right to the slow cooker.
How to serve Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs:
- I like to serve these chicken thighs with Baked Rice and a side of Roasted Carrots. Feel free to swap for Cheesy Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes or even this Creamy Gemelli Pasta — these thighs pair well with everything!
- Shredded and added to chicken tacos or barbecue sandwiches.
- Served chilled alongside my Easy Potato Salad Recipe on a picnic (I like to remove the skin if I’m not serving them hot!).
How to store leftover Crockpot Chicken Thighs:
In the refrigerator, cooked leftover slow cooker chicken thighs can be stored in a resealable container for 3-4 days.
To freeze leftover chicken thighs, remove meat from the bone and store in a resealable freezer bag for up to 4 months for optimal freshness.
To defrost cooked chicken thighs transfer to the fridge and allow to thaw overnight before using.
More crockpot chicken recipes:
- Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas
- Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs with Apples
- Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken
- Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 6-8 bone in, skin on chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1/4 cup low sodium chicken broth
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine parsley, garlic, salt, pepper, onion powder and paprika. Rub over the front and back of the chicken thighs.
- Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat.
- In two batches, brown chicken, skin side down, in hot pan. This will take 2-4 minutes.
- Pour chicken broth in the bottom of a 2.5-4 quart slow cooker and add chicken thighs, skin side up, trying not to overlap chicken if possible. (If you have to, that is fine, they may just take a little longer to cook through)
- Put the lid on and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3 hours, until a meat thermometer reads 165 degrees F in the thickest part.
- Serve.
Notes
Nutrition Information
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Scott says
We loved this easy recipe! The chicken was tender and tasty. I had skinless thighs on hand and used those. Served with mashed potatoes and Instant Pot corn on the cob. This one goes into the rotation. Thank you Ashley!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Scott! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Tori Ann says
I’m definitely going to use this recipe again. My picky 6 year old ate the chicken. My husband loved it too.
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Tori! So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for this review!
Amna says
So excited to make this for tomorrow’s dinner but want to add fresh green beans & mushrooms. Will adding them an hour before the chicken is done be enough time? I need them soft enough for a toothless 11 month old to be able to easily eat them.
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Amna, I haven’t tested this with vegetables so it would be hard for me to say. If you decide to experiment, let me know how it goes!
Theresa says
Just wanted to let others know that since I didn’t have any chicken broth, I substituted water. That ingredient wasn’t missed. The chicken turned out awesomely delicious, moist & nearly falling off the bone. So easy. I used 4 organic bone-in, skin on chicken thighs. Didn’t change any other amounts except added more like 3/4 tsp Celtic Sea Salt. 👍🏻Thank you for this recipe!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Theresa! I’m glad you liked it!
Bebe says
Busy Saturday doing yard work before the real heat makes it impossible. Started this recipe at 10:30. Ready to eat before 2 PM. Served it with rice pilaf and a side salad. I thickened the drippings to make a gravy. It was all so delicious and easy!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Bebe! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you so much for this review!
Molly Trescher says
Should I brown them still if I am using Boneless skinless thighs?
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Molly! Skip the browning and add the chicken right to the crockpot. Opt for a lower heat setting and 3-4 hour cook time on low in order to prevent accidentally overcooking the chicken.
Amanda says
Hi! Do you have a low sodium version of this? Thanks!
Ashley Fehr says
The only thing that really adds to the sodium is the salt, so you could omit that and add additional seasoning if you prefer
RT W says
I did not think these would come out good because it’s so simple. But OMG they are delicious! I made it with chicken thighs, with the bone in and skin. It was a stick-to-your bones, filling dish. It’s definitely a keeper. I even had a friend try the recipe and she loved it as well. Now I am looking forward to trying more recipes!
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so glad you liked it!
Mary Robinson says
Threw away the skin on bone in thighs. Is that still okay for cooking thisecipe?
Ashley Fehr says
Definitely! I probably would just throw them in without browning, but you could still brown them if you wanted
María Fernanda Chang says
Hi, can I use drumsticks?
Ashley Fehr says
Absolutely!
Pam McCoy says
My family loved these! Making them again tonight with roasted veggies and pilaf. Yum!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Pam! I’m glad you liked them!
Tim says
Thighs or breasts?
“Take the time to brown the chicken thighs. Work in two batches if needed. The chicken shouldn’t touch or overlap. Don’t disturb the chicken breasts as they’re browning, the skin will naturally shrink away from the pan when its reached the crispy stage.”
Ashley Fehr says
Typo! Thanks for letting me know 🙂
Jeanne Spaulding says
We had this for dinner tonight with mixed greens and mashed potatoes.
Perfect chicken!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Jeanne!
Julie says
Wonderful! I made this for dinner tonight. I made it with small potatoes on the bottom as in one of the suggestions. Easy, great flavor, melt in your mouth tender and juicy. Thank you.
Ashley Fehr says
Thank you Julie!
Ranee D says
So simple and delicious! Thanks so much
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Ranee!
Sarah Mcintyre says
Can i use chicken stock cubes for this? If so how many and how much water please
Ashley Fehr says
I would use the cubes to make the same amount of stock that is required in the recipe
Anna says
My whole family loved this dish! Super easy and perfect for busy weekdays!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Anna!
Allyson Zea says
This turned out wonderful, thank you for the easy directions!
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so glad you liked them Allyson!
Jessica Formicola says
This is my absolute favorite chicken thigh recipe! Perfectly juicy and so delicious!
Ashley Fehr says
thanks Jessica!
Matt Taylor says
I love slow cooker chicken! So moist and flavorful and easy recipe! 🙂
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Matt! Me too!
Allison Drummond says
Made this tonight with boneless skinless thighs. I loved the flavour and how hands off it was!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Allison! I’m so glad!
Ashley says
I love that I can make these in my slow cooker. One of my favorite easy recipes for dinner!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Ashley! I love how easy they are too!