Name: Simple Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
Prep time: 3 min
Cook time: 240 min
Total time: 243 min
Ingredients: 4 bone-in chicken thighs (or 6-8 drumsticks); 1 medium onion, halved and sliced; 1 medium tomato, halved and sliced; 1 tbsp garlic powder; 1 tbsp paprika; salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

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The slow cooker is truly amazing. It just might be every mother’s best friend. The fact that dinner can be ready to go when you come home from work is a miracle in and of itself. If you haven’t dabbled in slow cooking, you’re missing out and today is the day to start. There are so many great recipes out there that will make you feel like an all-star chef despite the fact that all you did was throw some items in a pot and walk away. Once you start, you won’t stop… I promise!

My slow cooker makes a lot of chicken. I’m a vegetarian, but my husband isn’t and while I may not eat meat myself, I do prepare it. This just means that I have to call on and trust others to help me with the tasting, adjusting, perfection process, which luckily they are happy to do. I serve a lot of chicken because it is readily available, inexpensive and versatile. My husband’s absolute favorite way for me to prepare chicken is in the slow cooker. The fall-off-the-bone tenderness achieved through slow cooking really is unmatched. And the good news for all you novice (and expert) chefs out there is that when using a slow cooker you can’t really screw up—chicken always tastes good after slowly marinating in its own juices for hours. I can hear your deep sigh of relief.

Will my chicken be dry?

NO!!!! While this is a bare-bones starter recipe calling for no liquid whatsoever, it’s incredible how much liquid broth just one onion, a tomato and some chicken can produce. You can spoon this juicy goodness over your chicken when you are ready to serve it or save the liquid and use it for some chicken soup or even serve it over pasta or rice. We don’t let anything go to waste in our house, so that liquid gold sneaks its way into many other dishes in my household.

Can I get crispy chicken from a slow cooker?

Simply put, no. If you are looking for a crispy, crunchy chicken, slow cooking isn’t a good method. The chicken that isn’t cooking in liquid will have a firmer texture, but it certainly won’t be crispy.

Can I adjust the recipe?

Of course!!!! Really the only truly required ingredient is bone-in chicken. My slow cooker holds four chicken thighs in a single layer, however if you have a larger capacity cooker, feel free to use as much chicken as fits in a single layer. You can add any spices you want (maybe some cayenne pepper if you like heat or some oregano for an Italian flare) or even different vegetables (think carrots or peppers). You can’t really screw up slow cooked chicken so don’t be afraid to get creative.

Can I really just set it and forget it?

Yes!!!! Don’t worry about that shocking episode of This is Us; I won’t say anymore in case it’s still on your “to watch” list. Slow cookers were meant to be left on. You truly don’t have to do anything while these bad boys are cooking. With that said, I personally like to flip my chicken after about 4 hours and let it cook for one to two more. This helps get all the meat nice and juicy, but it is certainly not a necessary step. If you don’t flip it, the chicken that sits above the liquid will be firm than the part sitting in the liquid. Since my husband likes it nice and juicy, I flip them. You decide what you like!

How do I know when it’s done? Can I over cook it?

You’ll want to cook the chicken until it isn’t pink in the middle and is at least 165 degrees when measured with a meat thermometer. This should be about four hours on low. I’ll admit, I never use a meat thermometer when slow cooking since I always cook it for at least six hours, this way it is fall-of-the-bone tender, just the way my hubby likes it. Once it is falling off the bone, you can be sure it’s done! After you’ve made this a few times, you’ll know how long to cook it so that it is done to your liking.

What should I serve slow cooked chicken with?

Serve this chicken with a side of vegetables (try this Broccoli Rabe or Broiled Asparagus), a salad (maybe an Asparagus Tomato version or give this Can Can salad a shot). It is also excellent spooned over rice. Let me know how you serve it!

Get (slow) cooking!

This recipe is really a bare-bones starter recipe. I’ll be adding some other slow cook chicken recipes soon, but this is a great way to get started. If you’re looking for more chicken inspiration, I love this Lemon Chicken (or Eggplant). As always, let me know how your Simple Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs came out by leaving a comment below. Enjoy! Buen provecho!

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