Crockpot Chicken Recipe

Juicy chicken and tender vegetables make this crockpot chicken recipe the perfect way to feed your whole family on busy days.

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Table of Contents

Crockpot Chicken Thighs Recipe Ingredients
Substitutions for this Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs Recipe
How to Make this Crockpot Chicken
How to Serve
Storing Slow Cooker Chicken
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If you are looking for an easy weeknight meal, our crockpot chicken recipe gives you a tender chicken and vegetable meal that would be perfect for busy weeknights. Come home to the delicious aromas of this classic dish simmering away in your crockpot and you’ll be eager to dig in.

close up overhead shot of a crockpot of Crockpot Chicken Recipe with potatoes and carrots

Crockpot Chicken Thighs Recipe Ingredients

Crockpot Chicken Recipe raw ingredients that are labeled

To make our recipe for slow cooker chicken thighs, you’ll need:

1 tablespoon olive oil
6 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs about 3 pounds
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon salted butter
1 yellow onion chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon celery salt
1 tablespoon tomato paste
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 chicken bouillon cube, crushed
1 cup water
2 bay leaves
24 ounces potatoes, (honey gold bite-sized) halved
12 ounces baby carrots, 1 bag
chopped fresh parsley optional, for serving

Substitutions for this Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs Recipe

CHICKEN: While the recipe calls for chicken thighs, you could opt to use either bone-in or boneless skinless chicken breasts. Keep in mind that you may need to adjust the cook time to account for the size of the chicken pieces.

CHEESE: If you are looking for a cheesy addition to this easy meal, sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the chicken during the last few minutes of cooking.

SEASONINGS: If you are feeling adventurous, you can play with the spices used. There is plenty of flexibility in this easy chicken recipe. Try Italian seasoning, or how about sprinkling taco seasoning for a Mexican spin on the dish?

CREAMY: If you want a creamy chicken, stir cream cheese to the crockpot in the last few minutes of cooking.

VEGETABLES: Carrots and potatoes are classic but you could also add green beans to the mix. You will want to add them near the end of cooking so they don’t become soggy.

How to Make this Crockpot Chicken

STEP ONE: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil. Season both sides of the raw chicken thighs with salt and pepper, then place skin side down in the skillet.

Crockpot Chicken Recipe process shot of chicken being seasoned in a skillet

STEP TWO: Let cook 5 to 7 minutes per side, or until browned on both sides. Remove chicken from the skillet.

STEP THREE: To the skillet, add the butter and onion. Let cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the onions are softened. Add the garlic, celery salt, and tomato paste then stir well. Add flour and stir again to combine. Let cook for 30 seconds, being careful not to burn the flour.

Crockpot Chicken Recipe process shot of ingredients in a skillet

STEP FOUR: Turn down the heat to low and stir in the chicken bouillon, water, and bay leaves. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes, until the sauce thickens, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Remove the pan from the heat.

STEP FIVE: Place the potatoes and carrots in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the onion mixture from the skillet and spread it out into an even layer over the vegetables. Place the chicken on top of everything else, skin side up.

Crockpot Chicken Recipe process shot of ingredients in a crockpot

STEP SIX: Cover and cook on high for 3 hours. Remove bay leaves and serve.

PRO TIP:

Use the remaining liquid left on the bottom of the slow cooker to make a thick gravy to pour over top of the chicken for this delicious meal.

If you’re not ready to eat, you can leave the crockpot on warm for a further hour or so if needed.

Crockpot Chicken Recipe process shot of chicken, potatoes, and carrots in a crockpot

How to Serve

Serve this great recipe with brown rice, white rice, or noodles on the side. You could also use egg noodles as a base for this delicious comfort food and warm bread on the side to mop up the gravy.

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Storing Slow Cooker Chicken

MAKE AHEAD: Prepare everything the night before and store the crockpot insert in the fridge overnight. Pop it into the crockpot and turn it on the next day.

IN THE FRIDGE: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to three days.

IN THE FREEZER: This crockpot chicken can be stored in the freezer in an airtight container for up to three months.

The next time you need to throw together a meal quickly, try this easy crockpot chicken. It will become your favorite way to cook chicken in the slow cooker and since it is so flexible, you can customize it just the way you like.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I freeze this chicken?

This crock pot chicken freezes well and can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.

Can I add other vegetables to this recipe?

This easy slow cooker recipe is flexible in terms of the ingredients. Just make sure to time the addition of the vegetables depending on how fast they cook.

Can I use chicken breasts for this recipe?

This easy recipe would work fine with chicken breasts as well. You may need to adjust the cook time depending on the size of the chicken. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

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