Garlic Butter Crockpot Chicken Thighs: 7 Simple Tips

A Warm Welcome to Effortless Flavor

Remember those days when the mere thought of making dinner after a long day brought a sigh? Or perhaps you dream of a hearty, comforting meal that practically cooks itself, filling your home with an irresistible aroma? Well, my friend, you’ve come to the right place. Today, we’re diving into a recipe that promises all the rich, savory goodness you crave with minimal fuss: Garlic Butter Crockpot Chicken Thighs. Get ready to transform your dinner routine and delight your taste buds!

Why Make This Recipe

Forget complicated instructions and endless cleanup. This recipe for Garlic Butter Crockpot Chicken Thighs is designed to make your life simpler while giving you amazing flavor. Here’s why it will become a regular dish in your kitchen:

• So Easy, So Tasty: This meal practically cooks itself, but tastes like you worked hard on it.
• Always Juicy and Tender: The slow cooker makes the chicken thighs very moist and they easily fall off the bone.
• Big Flavor: Garlic and butter together make a rich, delicious sauce that everyone will love.
• Goes with Anything: You can serve it with many different sides, perfect for any time.
• Saves Money: Chicken thighs are not expensive, so this meal is tasty and good for your wallet.

How to Make Garlic Butter Crockpot Chicken Thighs

Let’s start cooking! Follow these simple steps to make very tender and flavorful Garlic Butter Crockpot Chicken Thighs.

Ingredients of Garlic Butter Crockpot Chicken Thighs

You will be surprised how a few simple things can make such a great dish. Here’s what you need for your perfect Garlic Butter Crockpot Chicken Thighs:

• Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs: (or boneless, skinless for a leaner choice) – about 2-3 pounds
• Unsalted butter: melted
• Fresh garlic: minced (use a lot!)
• Chicken broth: low sodium is best
• Dried herbs: like Italian seasoning, dried thyme, or dried oregano
• Smoked paprika: for nice color and taste
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Fresh parsley or chives: for decoration (if you want)
• Cornstarch slurry: (1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons cold water) – if you want to thicken the sauce

Directions of Garlic Butter Crockpot Chicken Thighs

Prep Like a Pro

1. Dry Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs very dry with paper towels. This helps the seasoning stick better.
2. Season Well: In a small bowl, mix salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and your chosen dried herbs. Sprinkle a lot of this mix on both sides of the chicken thighs.

Searing for Extra Flavor (Optional, but Good!)

1. Heat Pan: In a large pan, melt a tablespoon of butter or oil over medium-high heat.
2. Sear Chicken: Cook the chicken thighs, skin-side down, for 3-5 minutes until golden and a little crispy. Flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes. This step adds a lot of flavor. Take chicken out of the pan and set it aside.

The Crockpot Assembly

1. Garlic Butter Base: In the same pan (if you seared) or a clean small bowl, mix the melted butter and minced garlic. Stir well.
2. Layer in Crockpot: Pour about half of the chicken broth into the bottom of your slow cooker.
3. Place Chicken: Put the seared (or unseared) chicken thighs evenly in the slow cooker.
4. Pour Garlic Butter: Spoon or pour the garlic butter mix evenly over the chicken thighs.
5. Add Rest of Broth: Pour the rest of the chicken broth around the chicken.

Set It and Forget It!

1. Cook Slowly: Cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, or until the chicken is very tender and cooked through (the inside temperature should be 165°F/74°C).

Finishing Touches (Optional Sauce Thickening)

1. Remove Chicken: Carefully take the cooked chicken thighs out of the slow cooker. Put them on a plate and cover lightly with foil to keep warm.
2. Thicken Sauce: If you want a thicker sauce, turn the slow cooker to HIGH. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and cold water to make a slurry. Slowly stir the slurry into the liquid in the slow cooker. Cook, stirring often, for 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce is as thick as you like.
3. Serve: Put the chicken back into the thickened sauce or pour sauce over the chicken. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives.

How to Serve Garlic Butter Crockpot Chicken Thighs

This dish is very flexible and tastes great with many different sides. Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy Garlic Butter Crockpot Chicken Thighs:

Classic Pairings

• Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Perfect for soaking up all that tasty garlic butter sauce.
• Steamed Rice or Quinoa: A lighter choice that still goes well with the rich flavors.
• Roasted Vegetables: Asparagus, green beans, or broccoli cooked with a little olive oil and garlic.
• Crusty Bread: To wipe up every last drop of that amazing sauce!

Fresh & Vibrant Additions

• Simple Green Salad: With a light dressing to balance the rich taste.
• Coleslaw: For a cooling crunch.

How to Store Garlic Butter Crockpot Chicken Thighs

Leftovers can stay in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. They warm up nicely in the microwave or in a pan on the stove.

Tips to Make Garlic Butter Crockpot Chicken Thighs

These small tips will make your Garlic Butter Crockpot Chicken Thighs even better!

• Use Lots of Garlic: Fresh garlic is very important for the great taste. Pre-minced garlic works, but fresh is truly the best.
• Drying is Key: This simple step helps the chicken sear better and keeps the seasoning on.
• The Searing Secret: You do not have to sear, but cooking the chicken thighs in a pan first adds a rich, browned flavor that makes a big difference.
• Do Not Crowd: Make sure the chicken thighs have enough room in the slow cooker to cook evenly.
• Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sauce before serving and add more salt and pepper if needed.
• Crispy Skin Again: If you miss crispy skin, take the cooked chicken out of the crockpot and put it under a broiler for a few minutes until the skin becomes crispy. Watch carefully so it does not burn!

Variation

Feel free to try these ideas to make your Garlic Butter Crockpot Chicken Thighs just the way you like them!

• Lemon-Herb Variation: Add some fresh lemon juice and lemon zest for a brighter taste.
• Spicy Kick: A little bit of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce in the butter mix.
• Creamy Dream: Stir in some heavy cream or cream cheese at the end for an even richer sauce.
• Mushroom & Onion: Cook sliced mushrooms and onions in a pan before adding them to the crockpot with the chicken.
• Root Vegetables: Add chopped carrots and potatoes to the crockpot during the last hour of cooking for a full meal.

FAQs

• Can I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for this Garlic Butter Crockpot Chicken Thighs recipe?
• Yes, absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs will work perfectly and may cook a little faster, so watch them to prevent overcooking. The cooking time might be about 30 minutes shorter on low.
• What if my sauce is not thick enough for my Garlic Butter Crockpot Chicken Thighs?
• No worries! Follow the optional step in the instructions to make a cornstarch slurry. This is the easiest way to make the sauce thicker to your liking right in the slow cooker.
• Do I have to sear the chicken thighs first?
• While it is optional, searing the chicken thighs before putting them in the crockpot adds a beautiful browned flavor and color that truly makes the dish better. If you do not have much time, you can skip this step, but we highly suggest it for the best flavor.

Classic Garlic Butter Crockpot Chicken Thighs

These classic garlic butter crockpot chicken thighs are incredibly tender and flavorful, made easy in a slow cooker. With a rich garlic butter sauce and optional searing for crispy skin, it's a perfect meal for a busy day.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Total Time 3 hours hrs 50 minutes mins

Servings 4 servings

Calories 480 kcal

Equipment

• Paper towels
• Small bowl
• Large pan
• Slow cooker
• Plate
• Foil
• Spoon

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 2-3 pounds chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on (or boneless, skinless for a leaner choice)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
• 6-8 cloves fresh garlic minced (use a lot!)
• 1 cup chicken broth low sodium is best
• 1 tablespoon dried herbs like Italian seasoning, dried thyme, or dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Fresh parsley or chives for decoration (optional)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch for cornstarch slurry (optional)
• 2 tablespoons cold water for cornstarch slurry (optional)

Instructions

 

Instructions

• Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season generously with a mix of salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and dried herbs on both sides.
• (Optional Searing): Melt butter or oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Sear chicken skin-side down for 3-5 minutes until golden and crispy, then flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Remove and set aside.
• In the same pan or a clean small bowl, combine the melted butter and minced garlic, stirring well.
• Pour half of the chicken broth into the bottom of the slow cooker, then arrange the seared (or unseared) chicken thighs evenly inside.
• Spoon the garlic butter mixture evenly over the chicken thighs and pour the remaining chicken broth around them.
• Cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is very tender and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F/74°C).
• (Optional Sauce Thickening): Carefully remove the cooked chicken thighs to a plate and cover lightly with foil to keep warm. Turn the slow cooker to HIGH.
• In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry. Slowly stir the slurry into the liquid in the slow cooker and cook, stirring frequently, for 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce reaches your desired thickness.
• Return the chicken to the thickened sauce or pour the sauce over the chicken. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives before serving.

Notes

For best flavor, don't skip the fresh garlic. Adjust salt and pepper to your taste. Searing the chicken beforehand adds extra flavor and crispy skin, while the cornstarch slurry helps thicken the sauce to your preferred consistency.