5 Delicious Crock Pot Chicken Thigh Recipes

Chicken thighs are an excellent choice for slow cooking in a crock pot due to their rich flavor and tender texture, which only get better with time. Here, we'll explore five mouth-watering recipes that will make your dinner preparation both simple and delicious, ensuring your kitchen fills with irresistible aromas.

1. Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Ingredients:

• 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• ¹⁄₃ cup honey
• ¹⁄₃ cup soy sauce
• ¹⁄₂ cup ketchup
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, olive oil, basil, salt, and pepper to create the sauce.
2. Place the chicken thighs in the crock pot and pour the sauce over them, ensuring they are well coated.
3. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Occasionally stir to baste the chicken with the sauce.

⚠️ Note: For a thicker sauce, mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water and stir it into the sauce 30 minutes before the cooking time ends.

2. Moroccan Chicken Thighs with Apricots

Ingredients:

• 6-8 chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless)
• ¹⁄₂ cup dried apricots
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¹⁄₂ tsp ground ginger
• ¹⁄₄ tsp ground cloves
• 1 can of chickpeas, drained
• 1 cup chicken broth
• Cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

1. Mix cumin, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves in a bowl. Rub the spice mix over the chicken thighs.
2. Place onions and garlic at the bottom of the crock pot, followed by the spiced chicken thighs.
3. Add the apricots and chickpeas on top.
4. Pour the chicken broth into the crock pot.
5. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
6. Garnish with cilantro before serving.

⚠️ Note: This dish can be served with couscous or rice to soak up the flavorful sauce.

3. BBQ Pulled Chicken Thighs

Ingredients:

• 8-10 chicken thighs
• 1 ¹⁄₂ cups BBQ sauce
• ¹⁄₂ cup apple cider vinegar
• ¹⁄₄ cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt.
2. Place chicken thighs in the crock pot and pour the mixture over them, ensuring they are completely covered.
3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
4. Once cooked, shred the chicken with two forks directly in the pot, mixing it well with the sauce.

4. Lemon Herb Chicken Thighs

Ingredients:

• 8 chicken thighs
• Juice and zest of 2 lemons
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix lemon juice, zest, olive oil, thyme, rosemary, garlic, salt, and pepper.
2. Place chicken thighs in the crock pot and pour the lemon herb mixture over them.
3. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

⚠️ Note: This recipe is perfect for those who love bright, citrusy flavors.

5. Creamy Tuscan Chicken Thighs

Ingredients:

• 8 chicken thighs
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ¹⁄₂ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ¹⁄₂ cup chicken broth
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ¹⁄₄ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Spinach leaves, roughly chopped

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Brown the chicken thighs for about 2 minutes on each side, then transfer to the crock pot.
2. In the same skillet, sauté garlic until fragrant. Add sun-dried tomatoes, cream, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer and then pour over the chicken.
3. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
4. Stir in the spinach 10 minutes before serving to wilt.

⚠️ Note: Serve this creamy chicken with pasta or over mashed potatoes.

In these recipes, chicken thighs showcase their versatility and flavor, transforming simple ingredients into complex, savory dishes with minimal effort. Each dish offers its unique taste, from the sweet and savory honey garlic thighs to the exotic notes of Moroccan spices. These slow-cooked meals not only require little attention but also allow the flavors to meld beautifully, providing a comforting meal that’s sure to impress.

Can I use frozen chicken thighs in a crock pot?

+

It’s not recommended to use frozen chicken in a crock pot due to food safety concerns. Thawing the chicken first is safer as slow cookers don’t reach high enough temperatures quickly enough to prevent bacterial growth.

How can I thicken the sauce in these recipes?

+

Use a cornstarch slurry (mixing cornstarch with a little cold water) and add it to the crock pot in the last 30 minutes of cooking. Alternatively, you can remove the lid for the last 30 minutes to let the sauce reduce naturally.

Are chicken thighs healthier than chicken breasts?

+

Chicken thighs have more fat, making them more flavorful and moist, especially when slow-cooked. However, chicken breasts are leaner, containing less fat and calories, which can be healthier if you’re looking to reduce fat intake.