Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Italian Seasoning Recipe
This Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs recipe delivers tender, flavorful chicken with a crispy skin finish. With a blend of savory spices and fragrant garlic butter, this easy-to-make dish cooks low and slow for perfectly juicy results. Ideal for a hands-off dinner, it pairs well with your favorite sides and fresh parsley adds a bright garnish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 lb. bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (4–5 chicken thighs)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
Cooking and Garnish
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/3 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup butter, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry using a paper towel. In a small bowl, mix together garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, and Italian seasoning. Use your hands to evenly rub this spice blend all over each chicken thigh to ensure full flavor coverage.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken thighs skin side down into the hot skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes until the skin turns crispy and golden brown. Then carefully transfer the chicken skin side up into your slow cooker.
- Add Aromatics and Slow Cook: Pour the chicken broth into the slow cooker, then add the diced butter and minced garlic around the chicken. Cover and cook on LOW for 4.5 to 5 hours, or until the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F, indicating it is fully cooked and tender.
- Garnish and Serve: Once cooked, garnish the chicken thighs with fresh parsley. Serve hot and enjoy the rich garlic butter flavor combined with tender meat and crispy skin.
Notes
- Patting the chicken dry before seasoning helps the spice rub adhere better and increases skin crispiness when seared.
- Searing the chicken skin side down first is crucial to achieve a crispy texture that contrasts beautifully with the slow-cooked tenderness.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F before serving.
- Butter and garlic added in the slow cooker infuse the chicken with rich, aromatic flavors throughout the slow cooking time.
- Garnishing with fresh parsley not only adds a pop of color but also a fresh herbal note to balance the rich flavors.
Keywords: slow cooker chicken thighs, easy chicken recipe, garlic butter chicken, crispy skin chicken, slow cooker dinner