In summary: The easy and tasty crockpot chicken thigh recipes include honey garlic chicken, BBQ pulled chicken, creamy butter chicken, etc. The dishes cater to different preferences and dietary needs, making weekday cooking more efficient and enjoyable.
The quicker the better – we always hear people say and when it comes to cooking, this can be no different, and even more so if it means a parent juggling home and work life.
Doing school runs and extra-curricular activities whilst keeping your 9-5 work commute and somehow managing to get dinner on the table every night seems impossible.
But with these crockpot chicken thigh recipes that take no time and little effort, yet still taste great, in your recipe collection, you can breathe easily.
Weekdays just became more efficient and cost-effective.
#1. Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
Who doesn’t love licking their fingers dripping with sweet and sticky sauce, well now you can?
This honey garlic crock pot recipe will have your mouth watering just from the smell wafting through the house as you wait for it to finish simmering gently to perfection.
Boneless chicken thighs are moist and tender in general compared to other parts of the bird and combined with succulent, golden honey you are in for a treat.
A great choice to start the week and Mondays couldn’t be easier.
Pop all the ingredients into the slow cooker as you head out the door and come home to dinner ready to serve. Win-win.
What we love about this dish is that once you have given the thighs a good seal and searing in a hot pan with garlic butter (optional, regular butter works just as well) you lock in the moisture but bring a degree of caramelization to the dish for added flavor.
This easy crockpot chicken thigh recipe is easily doubled or tripled if making extra for the freezer which is something we can never have enough of.
Use the extra chicken for lunch boxes and sandwiches, shred for salads, or add into pasta for Sunday brunch snacks, the possibilities are endless.
And you don’t have to worry about it being too dry, a winner all around.
A versatile recipe that works with chicken thighs that have the bone either in or out.
A healthy crock pot recipe for chicken thighs will never go to waste and you can tweak it by using different rubs before popping them in the slow cooker.
Everyone loves a BBQ dish and once these have finished cooking you can be sure the kids will be looking for another helping, a firm family favorite.
Great with a salad or a side order of homemade cornbread and dipping sauce.
I love Asian food and we don’t often think of a crockpot as an option for making Asian-inspired dishes, but this easy crockpot chicken thigh recipe breaks the rules.
The thighs simmer gently in a well-balanced soy sauce and sesame seeds and you just know it is going to be tender.
These thighs taste great served with fluffy rice, a generous serving of the sauce poured over and sprinkled with fresh spring onions.
A crowd-pleaser of a dish and goes down well with the kids too.
The name suggests smothered and this is exactly what the rich, creamy sauce offers, and the longer it simmers the thicker it gets.
A layered approach to the ingredients in this slow-cooking vessel allows for the flavors to combine from top to bottom for the several hours it bubbles away.
This gives a full-bodied dish that serves great with mashed potatoes.
Nothing can beat a classic crockpot chicken thigh and mash dish.
You have all the components for the perfect Sunday lunch, moist chicken thighs, carrots, and potatoes.
All you need is a thick, homemade gravy and the family won’t want to leave the dining table.
Because this dish is quick and easy to make and is essentially fuss-free you don’t have to worry about niggly eaters or allergies with the kids.
A one-pot sensation that ticks all the boxes for the whole family, hosting Sunday lunch is a breeze when everything is in one place and all you need to do is serve it up.
Just reading the name you know it’s going to be good.
The perfect supper to end the week and best of all it uses the bare minimum of ingredients that you more than likely have in your pantry as we speak.
Simple and elegant all at once, and to elevate even further you could opt for demerara sugar or brown sugar to give that deep color and taste we all love so much.
Serve it with your favorite starch, and for the hubbies who like a bit of a kick, we recommend a sprinkle of dried chili flakes on top.
The spice will help to balance out the sweetness of the overall dish.
When it’s the middle of summer and you are keeping up with better choices when it comes to eating, this healthy slow-cooker chicken thigh recipe is filling yet won’t add on the pounds.
This recipe is made with pasta for a carb-loaded boost before hitting the gym or opt for couscous or gluten-free pasta to not miss out on the full flavor profile.
Mushrooms not only add color but texture and size when cut into chunky quarters before throwing them in.
To really get the most out of these humble ingredients, be sure to give them a good sauté before adding them to the slow cooker with the broth or stock.
With an Asian influence, this chicken thigh crock pot recipe is one to please the whole family, and all within the comfort of your own home.
We all love going for Chinese or Thai food at the restaurant, but when you can stay home on a winter’s night and still have your favorite dish it’s a no-brainer.
The thighs cook slowly till soft and fall apart, and once you add the cornstarch to the sauce to thicken and throw the thighs back in, they get coated in the rich sauce.
Serve with plain rice and steamed vegetables and let the chicken be the star of the show.
The name says it all. It’s one of the must try slow cooker chicken thighs recipes.
A dish that saves the day and most likely requires no shopping as it uses ingredients you already have to hand (phew).
Simply throw everything in the pot and come home to a ready meal.
Great with salad in the summer when you don’t feel like something heavy to eat or served with fluffy rice in the winter to fill hungry tummies and offer comfort.
A meal that combines sweet and savory is one that works best in our family as there is something for everyone and no one can complain if the meat is too sweet or too salty.
It tastes great simply adding all the ingredients into the crockpot, but for an extra flavor boost, you can give the thighs a good sear till crispy and brown and then add-in.
This classic dish is colorful and cheerful and super easy to whip up in the morning before the kids get up for school.
And when the family comes home from work it will be ready like magic.
We have all seen those golden, juice-dripping chickens spinning slowly on the rotisserie sticks when in town or on holiday and they make you hungry, right?
Well, you don’t need to go out and purchase a full-blown rotisserie kit to get the same meal at home, a slow cooker will do the trick.
However, unlike other crockpot recipes, the key is that this one requires no liquid to be added.
As the chicken thighs cook the excess moisture evaporates and the outside of the chicken gets nice and crispy. Delicious.
Italians are renowned for their recipes and dishes and this is no exception.
Chicken that falls apart when you cut into it, the fruity yet tangy flavor of the sauce that has been simmering away filled with tomatoes, olives, and peppers, all you need is pasta.
A quick batch of pasta whipped up and this supper is good to dish.
Kids enjoy it, it is filling and essentially flop proof and a breeze to make without a fuss.
People tend to think that Cajun spice is overly powerful and thus steer away from it when it means cooking meals for children, but you need not.
You could opt for store-bought Cajun spice or make your own with the spices you have in the pantry, either way, a touch more onion powder or garlic will help take the edge off the spice if someone is really sensitive.
Give the thighs a good rubbing all over with the spices and oil and a generous (as in nearly burnt but not quite) sear in a pan throw them in the crockpot with stock and leave to work its magic.
Halfway through add rice if that’s your choice to serve it with, and it will cook and absorb the flavored liquid by the time the meal is ready.
Garnish with fresh parsley or coriander leaves and enjoy.
There is nothing more fun than seeing the kids eat with their fingers and the sticky sauce coating their hands, a true joy knowing they love their supper.
And this recipe is one that will certainly be a crowd-pleaser, even the hubby will get stuck in with sticky fingers.
It goes great with rice (but then no fingers please) and some fresh spring onion to balance the sweetness.
Easy, simple, and a quick meal to make midweek when the weekend couldn’t come sooner.
Easy dinners are very much needed when children are involved, they have all sorts of activities going on, and finding the time to sit and prepare a homemade meal just isn’t always possible.
Now, you have the option to do it all, and this apricot option for crockpot chicken thighs has proven highly successful.
It’s sweet without needing a glass of water, sour without needing some milk. Perfect.
And a sprinkle of finely chopped dried apricots to add on top will help elevate the dish that much more.
Impress the family with this quick and easy supper.
Easy is the name of the game when it comes to crock pot chicken thigh recipes, and there is so much more to see on our blog so be sure to visit for more quick and simple weekday dinners.
Life is busy enough, with these recipes you can have peace of mind that supper will be sorted.
FAQs
Is it OK to cook raw chicken in a crock pot?
Yes, it’s safe to cook raw chicken in a crockpot as long as it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure thorough cooking.
Why is my chicken rubbery in the crock pot?
Chicken can become rubbery in a crockpot if overcooked or cooked on a high setting, which can cause the proteins to tighten and the texture to become tough.
Final words
You can also use frozen chicken thighs instead of the fresh ones. It wouldn’t make much difference in taste.
Born and raised in South Africa and being immersed in the rich culture, Candace soon found a passion for all things food related. Exploring and experiencing new flavors and taste profiles she pursued her career as a qualified chef in silver service specialized in fine dining.
