Slow cooker chicken recipes are great to have in your back pocket for those nights you know are going to be busy. Loaded with fresh garlic and sweetened by brown sugar, this Slow Cooker Garlic Chicken recipe is flavorful and family-friendly!
Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Recipe
Cade and I used to make this slow cooker garlic chicken recipe when we first got married because it was so easy to make and there would be enough leftovers for the next night so that while we were busy in school I didn’t have to cook dinner every night.
Usually the best time for me to prep for dinner is in the morning while our girls are at school. That’s where Crockpot meals come in. I love them! They make dinner so easy and this slow cooker chicken recipe is super simple and makes the house smell delish!
I love easy, low maintenance meals and this slow cooker chicken with garlic sauce is perfect for a busy night where mouths need to be fed. You’re likely to have leftovers to have another night too. Winning!
Ingredients in Garlicky Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
To make this Crockpot chicken dinner, you’ll need the following basic ingredients:
- Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- Garlic
- Kosher salt
- Oregano
- Brown sugar
- Fresh parsley
How to Make Garlicky Slow Cooker Chicken
I hope you’re ready for how easy this is! All you need is 6 ingredients and about 15 minutes of prep time.
- Add a drizzle of olive oil to a skillet over medium high heat and brown your salt and peppered chicken thighs on the skin side.
- Once all your chicken is browned, add it along with the garlic, oregano and salt to the slow cooker.
- Give everything a good mix leaving the chicken skin side up and then sprinkle the chicken with brown sugar.
- Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours. We like to top it with some fresh chopped parsley right before serving.
That’s it! Then in the evening when I’m mom taxi-ing all over the land, we can pop home for an hour or so and throw some dinner down before heading off to soccer or church activities.
FAQ
What to Serve with Slow Cooker Garlic Chicken
This easy slow cooker chicken recipe pairs perfectly with so many different sides! A few of our favorites include:
What is The Difference Between a Slow Cooker and a Crock Pot?
Crock pot has become sort of a generic term for all slow cookers. Technically, a Crock Pot is a specific brand of slow cooker. Both do the same thing, cook dishes low and slow with minimal attention. Either one works great for this recipe.
Can You Leave a Slow Cooker on When Not at Home?
We don’t watch the show, but we’ve heard the show This is Us caused quite the stir for Crock Pot and leaving them unattended. While it is probably safest to be home while the Crock Pot is running, the Crock Pot customer service assures that it is safe to leave it unattended while not at home. I’ve done it my whole life and never had an issue, but you just never know I guess!
Can You Overcook in a Slow Cooker?
Yes, it is possible though not likely if you have followed a recipe correctly. On most slow cookers, you can set a programmed cook time and then it will automatically switch to warm to keep everything nice and hot for your dinner.
Are Chicken Thighs Healthier Than Breasts?
Oh the age old debate! It depends on your definition of “healthier”. Both are great sources of lean protein. Chicken thighs are higher in calories and saturated fat (hello delicious flavor!) but they are about equal with breasts for number of calories. Chicken thighs are also much cheaper.
Does Kosher Salt Taste Different Than Table Salt?
No, there is no difference in taste. The main difference is texture and the lack of iodine and anti-caking agents found in table salt. We almost always use kosher salt or sea salt.
What Can You Substitute For Brown Sugar?
If you run out of brown sugar and then get in the middle of this recipe, just substitute it for equal parts white granulated sugar with a little molasses added. You’ll get the same delicious flavor. If you are looking to eliminate refined sugar altogether, try using honey or real maple syrup.
Tips for Making Crockpot Garlic Chicken
- We prefer to use chicken thighs (bone in, skin on) for maximum flavor and the juiciest chicken.
- Brown the chicken thighs first. This add so much flavor and color which makes it not only visually appealing but also scrumptious!
- If you have the time, cook at a low temp for 8 hours. It makes the chicken so juicy and tender!
More Chicken Crockpot Meals:
- Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Rice
- Slow Cooker Beef Brisket
- Crock Pot Cafe Rio Chicken
- How to Cook a Whole Chicken in a Crock Pot
- Slow Cooker Pineapple Mexican Chicken
- Slow Cooker Chicken Carnitas
- Chicken, Potato, Broccoli and Corn Chowder
- Slow Cooker Lemon Butter Chicken
- All our CROCKPOT and SLOW COOKER recipes here!
Slow Cooker Garlic Chicken
Description
Ingredients
- 8 bone in, skin on chicken thighs
- 12 cloves garlic, , minced
- 3 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons brown sugar, , packed
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, , chopped
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium high heat, add a drizzle of olive oil. Salt and pepper the chicken and brown on the skin side.
- Add the browned chicken, salt, oregano and garlic to the slow cooker.
- Mix everything together, leaving the chicken top side up.
- Sprinkle on the brown sugar.
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition
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Ben
Good morning Carrian,
I’m looking forward to making this in my slow cooker. But here is my problem…!! I live by myself. The problem I find on recipe sites call for fresh herbs, teaspoon table spoon etc. How would I keep fresh herbs from going bad, I’m clueless Carrian ? Have no knowledge for growing herbs ? Can I use dry parsley on this recipe ? Thank you for taking the time to read this, I appreciate any help you can assisted me with, I’m now a little above a novice cook…lol… Thank you Carrian…
Sweet Basil
Hi Ben! Great question! You can definitely use dried parsley. Dried herbs will be much more concentrated in flavor so you only need a fraction of the amount called for in the recipe. In general, you will add 1 teaspoon of dried herb for everything 1 tablespoon called for in the recipe. If you go with fresh herbs, they will usually keep in the fridge for a few days.
Krazikate75
Can I use boneless chicken breasts. My husband doesn’t like thighs.
Sweet Basil
Yes absolutely! You’ll miss a little bit of flavor, but it will be delicious!
Stephen Middlehurst
Not a chance on this earth does this meal make 8 servings. I have made this today, it was very nice, but serve 8 no chance.
Sweet Basil
We have it set for 1 thigh per person. That’s typically how much we have per person, but it definitely depends on what you want to do.
IzzyM
I followed the recipe to the letter and it didn’t turn out well.
The chicken shriveled up and the “sauce” dried out and got burnt around the 6-hour mark on low. I wasn’t able to monitor it as I left the house. Good thing my wife came home and smelled the burnt sugar and turned the slow cooker off. I’ll post an update once we’ve tasted it. I hope it tastes better than it looks.
Sweet Basil
That definitely shouldn’t have happened if it was cooked on low.
Tanja
Is any liquid added in this recipe? I can’t find anything in the text and there seems to be a lot of liquid in the pictures, does all of this come from the chicken?
Sweet Basil
Yes, it all comes from the chicken! No extra liquid needs to be added.
Jess
Can this be made in an instapot?
Sweet Basil
Yes totally! Brown the chicken and then cook on high for 6-7 minutes.
Victoria
I’m a bit confused 5 servings but 8 chicken thighs? How does that work? Thx!!
Sweet Basil
Oops, that’s my fault! I had the hardest time finding packs of 5 chicken thighs, so I change it to 8 and forgot to change the serving size. Just updated it to 8 servings! Thank you Victoria!
Speattle
Can the sugar be cut on this recipe? Need to watch my sugar gram intake.
Sweet Basil
You can try replacing it or part of it with honey or real maple syrup. Enjoy!
Theresa Courtney
Chicken breast, boneless work in this recipe?
Sweet Basil
Yes absolutely. You will miss a little flavor, but it will still be spectacular! Enjoy!
Sharon
We are in the midst of a snowstorm and I’d love to make this today! All I have is boneless skinless chicken thighs. Your thoughts?
Sweet Basil
Definitely still make them! They will taste great!