How long to cook chicken thighs in the crockpot

Chicken Thighs cooked in the crock pot make a mouthwatering recipe that’s perfect for a busy weeknight or lazy weekends! Juicy chicken coated in a thick rich sauce flavored with garlic, honey, and soy sauce is a slow cooker hit.

Are you ready for one of the easiest and most delicious chicken recipes you’ll ever make in the slow cooker? Well, here it is!

Crock Pot Chicken Thighs is a recipe creation that’s been on repeat in my kitchen for the past several weeks. It’s uncomplicated yet has a combination of flavors that go perfectly together. As the chicken cooks low and slow, the simple 8-ingredient sauce infuses the perfect amount of sweet and savory flavors making this a recipe you will love.

Ingredients For This Recipe:

• Bone-in, skin on chicken thighs
• Ketchup
• Soy Sauce
• Honey
• Onion Powder
• Dried Mustard
• Dried Thyme
• Dried Parsley
• Salt and Pepper

Do You Need To Sear The Chicken First?

For this recipe, it’s really best to get a good sear on the chicken. It helps impart extra flavor. I use a cast iron skillet (get it screaming hot) to brown the chicken. Work in 2 batches so that the chicken does not touch while you’re searing the skin.

Substitutions For This Recipe

• If you can’t find bone-in, skin-on thighs at the store, you can use boneless, skinless thighs. I recommend still searing to impart extra flavor before adding the chicken to the crock pot.
• Change up the flavors if you want. Add-in some extra spice with red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeñpos. Mix in grated fresh ginger and sprinkle on sesame seeds for an Asian flair.
• Replace the ketchup with your favorite BBQ sauce and add in smoked paprika.

How To Store Leftovers

The cooked chicken and any leftover sauce store well in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Store in a resealable container then reheat before serving.

These chicken thighs coated with all that yummy rich sauce go really well with any side dish that can soak up all the juicy goodness in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add in a fresh veggie or salad and dinner is served!

What To Serve With Crock Pot Chicken Thighs

• Instant Pot Herb Rice
• Smoked Gouda Cheese Grits Casserole
• Instant Pot Parmesan Noodles
• Skillet Green Beans
• Tomato Cucumber Salad

More Chicken Recipes You’ll Love!

• Skillet Chicken Spaghetti
• Balsamic Chicken Thighs
• Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan
• Air Fryer Whole Chicken
• Creamy White Chicken Chili
• Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken Sliders

Want To Know More About Slow Cooking?

If you are new to cooking with a Crock Pot or just don’t know where to start, I’ve got something to help. I’ve put together a helpful guide with tips and recipes to get you using a slow cooker like a pro!

How To Get Started With Slow Cooking

4.97 from 55 votes

Crock Pot Chicken Thighs Recipe

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours

Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes

Servings: 4

Author: Donya Mullins

Chicken Thighs cooked in the crock pot make a mouthwatering recipe that's perfect for a busy weeknight or lazy weekends! Juicy chicken coated in a thick rich sauce flavored with garlic, honey, and soy sauce is a slow cooker hit.

Equipment

• ▢

  Cast Iron Skillet

• ▢

  Mixing Bowl

• ▢

  Crock Pot

Ingredients

• ▢8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• ▢1 tablespoon olive oil
• ▢salt and pepper
• ▢¾ cup ketchup
• ▢⅓ cup soy sauce
• ▢⅓ cup honey
• ▢3 tablespoon minced garlic
• ▢½ teaspoon onion powder
• ▢¼ teaspoon dried thyme
• ▢1 teaspoon dried parsley
• ▢¼ teaspoon dried mustard
• ▢2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley – optional

Instructions

• ▢

  Heat olive oil in a cast-iron skillet or heavy bottom pan. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper and sear, skin side down until golden. Remove the chicken from the pan and place skin side up in the crock pot.

• ▢

  To a medium-size bowl, add ketchup, soy sauce, honey, garlic, onion powder dried thyme, dried parsley, and dried mustard. Whisk together and pour over the chicken. Place lid on the crock pot and cook on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 5 hours until chicken is done and the sauce has thickened.

• ▢

  Remove chicken and place on a serving dish. Spoon over the sauce from the bottom of the crock pot, sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve.

  How long does it take to fully cook chicken thighs?

  Boneless, skinless chicken thighs cook quickly, in 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size. Bone-in thighs, however, take a bit more time, between 25 and 30 minutes. Use a thermometer to measure the internal temperature of the thighs. They're finished cooking when the temperature reads 165°F.

  Is it better to cook chicken on high or low in crockpot?

  Always cook your boneless skinless chicken breasts on LOW for the best results. I do not recommend cooking boneless chicken breast on HIGH, as it will become very dry, even if you check it early. On high, the chicken turns out drier; I consistently have the best results with low.

  Can you cook chicken in the crockpot on high for 4 hours?

  Cover your crock pot and cook chicken breasts on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Chicken is done when the internal temp reaches 165 degrees F.

  How long to put a chicken in a slow cooker?

  Cook the chicken breast-side up for 4 to 5 hours on the high setting, or 6 to 8 hours on low. The juices should run clear when the thickest part of the chicken breast and thigh are pierced with a knife. Chicken needs to rest for about 20 minutes before carving.