Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

↓ Jump to Recipe

The most flavorful slow cooker chicken thighs served with hearty vegetables! Tender pieces of chicken, potatoes, carrots, and corn, all simmered in a lemon garlic herb sauce.

If you’re a fan of Crock-Pot meals, check out my other recipes for chicken noodle soup, turkey breast, and honey garlic chicken.

Slow cooker chicken thighs with corn and carrots inside a crock pot
Table of Contents
  1. Sear the chicken
  2. Prepare a lemon sauce
  3. How to slow cook chicken thighs
  4. The benefits of braising
  5. Serve this with
  6. FAQ
  7. Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs Recipe

Slow cooker chicken thighs are the perfect meal for lazy Sunday suppers or busy weeknight dinners. Protein and hearty root vegetables simmer in a light lemon sauce that infuses tons of flavor. I recommend searing the chicken on the stovetop to elevate this dish before adding it to the vessel. Doing so adds a flavorful golden brown hue to the skin and a crisp texture.

The skin-on chicken thighs braise inside the Crock-Pot, creating tender pieces of meat and vegetables that absorb the fragrant gravy. Adding in fresh rosemary and thyme creates earthy and enticing aromas. Make sure to drizzle a little more sauce liquid over your plate before serving. This is a delicious recipe that your family will love.

chicken thighs with crispy skin in a saute pan

Sear the chicken

Affordable chicken thighs are chosen for this recipe because they are rich in flavor. The increased amount of fat compared to lean chicken breasts keeps them juicy. I like bone-in pieces because it prevents the poultry from overcooking. Leave the skin on; the extra fat renders onto the meat during slow cooking for a richer taste.

Because the skin is fatty, I first like to brown the chicken on the stovetop. Searing adds more flavor and an attractive appearance. Skipping this step will create a flabbier texture and greasier sauce. The moist environment will soften the skin, but you will have an opportunity to further crisp the skin in the broiler before serving.

Prepare a lemon sauce

The best part of this chicken recipe is that the sauce is made right in the same pot, thickening and becoming more flavorful as time passes. The mixture of chicken broth or stock, flour, lemon juice, garlic, rosemary, and thyme simmers together gently, forming a delicious liquid. Add one tablespoon of soy sauce if you want a more robust umami flavor. For a bit of spiciness, sprinkle in red pepper flakes.

As the temperature gradually increases in the sealed slow cooker, the starches in the flour absorb the liquid, swell and gelatinize at its endpoint cooking temperature for maximum thickness.

lemon sauce being poured over top chicken that is inside a slow cooker

How to slow cook chicken thighs

Use at least a 6-quart Crock-Pot to fit all of the ingredients. Make a bed of vegetables using onions, potatoes, carrots, corn, and garlic in the bottom of the vessel to elevate the chicken pieces. Add seared chicken, thyme, and rosemary sprigs followed by the sauce. Cover and cook on the high setting for 2 to 4 hours or 4 to 6 hours on the low setting.

This thickest part of the chicken should reach between 165 to 170ºF (74 to 77ºC), and the potatoes are easily pierced with a knife. If desired, strain the sauce to make it smooth and remove any bits. To crisp up the chicken skin after slow cooking, brush it with oil, then broil it on a sheet pan until crunchy.

The benefits of braising

Braising chicken thighs in the slow cooker creates the ideal steamy and hot environment for the poultry and vegetables to tenderize over an extended period. With a bit of patience, the collagen in the connective tissues of the meat breaks down and turns into gelatin, adding flavor and body to the sauce.

The baby red potatoes, carrots slices, and corn wheels gently bubble in the fragrant garlic and herb gravy for a complete dinner.

Serve this with

FAQ

Is it better to cook chicken thighs fast or slow?

Dark meat contains more chewy connective tissue and fat. For meat that falls off the bone, it’s best to simmer the thighs. Braising in a slow cooker creates a moist heat environment to turn the collagen into rich gelatin and fat to render, creating moist and tender pieces.

Should you brown the chicken before putting it in a slow cooker?

Browning the meat or skin adds more flavor due to the Maillard browning process. It also renders the excess fat from thighs to prevent greasiness. Don’t thoroughly cook the meat, just create the golden crust since it can’t be achieved in a steamy pot.

Does chicken get tough in a slow cooker?

If not carefully monitored, lean white meat like breasts can become tough in the slow cooker. Dark meat like thighs and legs benefit from the moist heat environment and long cook time. The fat adds flavor and a proactive barrier to the meat. Bones don’t heat up as fast and won’t overcook as quickly.

Should chicken be covered in liquid in a slow cooker?

It does not need to be fully submerged in liquid. As the ingredients in the pot cook, the heat will cause the chicken and vegetables (if used) to release some juices. Plus, any additional liquids added to the pot will generate steam to cook any exposed ingredients in the covered pot.

close of a crispy skin chicken thigh cooking inside a slow cooker

Benefits of bone-in chicken thighs

Bone-in chicken thighs stay tender and juicy when cooked for extended periods. This happens because meat contains more fat, the connective tissues soften, and the calcium-rich porous bones don’t retain as much heat, cooking it more evenly for a longer time. Boneless skinless thighs can be used. However, they will cook faster. Remove from the pot once it reaches between 165 to 170ºF (74 to 77ºC), and cover to keep warm. Briefly sear the meat.

Pin this recipe to save for later

Pin This

Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

Slow cooker chicken thighs served with hearty vegetables is a complete meal made easy! Tender pieces of chicken, potatoes, carrots, and corn, all simmered in a lemon garlic herb sauce. 
4.74 from 884 votes
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time2 hrs
Total Time2 hrs 15 mins
Servings 4 servings
Course Entree
Cuisine American

Ingredients 
 

  • 4 chicken thighs, bone-in, about 1 to 1 ½ pounds
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper, plus more for seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup red onion, 1" dice
  • 1 ½ cups carrots, 1" pieces
  • 1 pound baby red potatoes, cut in half, quartered if large
  • 1 ear corn, cut into 4 pieces
  • 2 tablespoons garlic, roughly chopped
  • 1 ¼ cup unsalted chicken stock
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice, plus 4 wedges for serving
  • 4 sprigs thyme
  • 2 sprigs rosemary

Instructions 

  • Prepare Chicken – Trim excess skin and fat from the chicken thighs. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
  • Sear Chicken – Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add olive oil. Add the chicken skin-side down. Sear until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Flip and continue cooking for 2 minutes. Transfer to a clean plate.
  • Add Vegetables – To a 6-quart slow cooker, add onions, carrots, potatoes, corn, and garlic. Add the seared chicken on top of the vegetables, plus thyme, and rosemary. 
  • Prepare Sauce – In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, chicken stock, flour, and lemon juice. Add the sauce to the slow cooker.
  • Slow Cook – Cover and cook for 2 to 4 hours on the High setting, or 4 to 6 hours on the Low setting, or until the chicken is cooked through and potatoes are tender.
    If desired, place the chicken on a sheet pan and broil to crisp the skin (see notes).
  • To Serve – Transfer the chicken and vegetables to serving plates. If desired, strain the sauce liquid, and season with salt and pepper. Serve the meal with lemon wedges and sauce.

Recipe Video

Notes

  • Crispy Chicken Skin: To make the skin on the chicken crispy again after slow cooking, transfer the chicken to a foil-lined sheet pan. Brush lightly with olive oil and broil in the oven about 10 inches from the upper heating element, about 3 to 7 minutes. 
  • Make it Gluten-Free: Substitute all-purpose flour with 2 ½ tablespoons arrowroot powder, or 3 tablespoons cassava flour. Alternatively, make a slurry by mixing 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch and 3 tablespoons water. Mix it into cooking liquid in the last 45 minutes of cooking. 
  • Storing: Cool and store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. 
  • Reheating: Cover and microwave on high setting in 30-second increments until hot. 
Nutrition Facts
Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
Amount per Serving
Calories
419
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
19
g
29
%
Saturated Fat
 
3
g
15
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
10
g
Cholesterol
 
105
mg
35
%
Sodium
 
499
mg
21
%
Potassium
 
241
mg
7
%
Carbohydrates
 
36
g
12
%
Fiber
 
5
g
20
%
Sugar
 
5
g
6
%
Protein
 
27
g
54
%
Vitamin A
 
8400
IU
168
%
Vitamin C
 
11.6
mg
14
%
Calcium
 
20
mg
2
%
Iron
 
1.4
mg
8
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Tried this recipe?

Tag me on Instagram. I'd love to see how it turns out!

Tag @jessica_gavin

Filed under:

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Jessica Gavin

I'm a culinary school graduate, cookbook author, and a mom who loves croissants! My passion is creating recipes and sharing the science behind cooking to help you gain confidence in the kitchen.

Jessica's Secrets: Cooking Made Easy!
Get my essential cooking techniques that I learned in culinary school.
Jessica Gavin standing in the kitchen

You May Also Like

Reader Interactions

145 Comments Leave a comment or review

  1. Vicki says

    this was absolutely a great recipe! being winter I had to use frozen corn on the cob, but I can’t wait to try it with fresh corn. used dry herbs added to slurry and white potatoes and baby carrots as that’s what I had on hand. this cooked on low in crock pot for 8 hours while we were at work, but everything was done to perfection. i did put the chicken under broiler per direction.

    I will tell you that the chicken was so tender it fell off the bone. the flavor of this dish was to die for. my husband has requested a repeat and talked about it an hour after we finished eating..lol,. this is an easy recipe to put together, smells great cooking and rewards you with a great meal without a lot of effort. this is company worthy meal.

  2. Roberta Jim says

    Thank you for sharing this recipe. It tastes so delicious. I added ground thyme and ground rosemary on the chicken, as well as putting in the sprigs of each herb. My husband is having seconds, and my son who isn’t a big fan of chicken is enjoying the meal.

  3. Faith Gerber says

    Made this recipe in my rv with a small crock pot.Absolutely delicious and will certainly make it again. Can’t wait to share it with my friends.

  4. Keith Northern says

    I doubled the recipe so we could have leftovers tomorrow… No such luck everyone when back for more. Fantastic flavor. I would give it another star if I could.

  5. Cheryl says

    Tonight I made the “Slow-Cooker Chicken Thighs.”It was amazingly delicious! I used chicken breast fillets and it came out moist and tender…not dry or stringy. I added peas instead of corn. It is a forgiving recipe, meaning, changes can be made without sacrificing flavor.

    The sauce with lemon was so perfect. I don’t really care for the taste of lemon in my food but this recipe was so delicious. I tried it with just a tablespoon of lemon juice and omitted the wedges. I will definitely be making this often. It’s quick, healthy and not expensive to make. I’m so glad I found you on the internet.

    • Jessica Gavin says

      Yes, you can use boneless chicken thighs. Check for the doneness of the chicken sooner because it will cook quicker without the bone. However, the root vegetables will need to still be cooked until tender.

See More Comments

Leave A Reply

Recipe Rating