Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken

Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken

Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken made with just five pantry ingredients. Set it in minutes for the perfect tender, flavorful weeknight meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 8

Total Time 8 5

Servings: 5 portions

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 308

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

5 chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on
2 tbsp garlic minced
1/3 cup light brown sugar packed
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp coarse ground black pepper
fresh chopped parsley optional, for serving

Equipment

Slow cooker or crockpot (6-quart recommended)
Instant read meat thermometer
Measuring cups and spoons

Method

Place the chicken thighs into the slow cooker insert. Add the kosher salt, coarse black pepper, and minced garlic directly over the chicken.
Optional: Sear the chicken skin-side down in a skillet with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes before adding to the slow cooker. If your slow cooker has a sear function, use it directly in the insert.
Mix everything together so the chicken is evenly coated, then flip the thighs skin-side up.
Sprinkle the packed light brown sugar evenly over the top of each chicken thigh, covering the surface as fully as possible.
Do not add any liquid. Place the lid on the slow cooker.
Cook on LOW for 8 hours or on HIGH for 4 hours.
Verify doneness with an instant-read thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees F at the thickest part of the thigh, away from the bone.
Serve hot with fresh chopped parsley scattered over the top. Spoon the pan juices over the chicken before serving.

Notes

Do not add liquid at any point. The chicken releases its own juices during cooking. For deeper caramel flavor, substitute dark brown sugar. For added heat, stir in crushed red pepper flakes or a squirt of Sriracha before cooking. Boneless skinless thighs can be used but reduce cook time by 10 to 15 minutes. To crisp the skin after slow cooking, transfer chicken to a sheet pan and broil for 3 to 4 minutes.