Best Five Slow Cooker Chicken thigh Recipes
Chicken is one of the juiciest, most tender, and flavorful cuts of meat, and using a slow cooker makes preparing Chicken thighs incredibly easy. Below are five delicious slow-cooked Chicken thigh recipes.
Tomato and Potato Slow Cooker Chicken thighs
Ingredients
4 Chicken thighs: the main protein, providing rich flavor.
2 potatoes: the primary side, offering a soft and creamy texture.
2 tomatoes: provide a tangy sweetness, forming the base of the sauce.
Half an onion: releases a unique aroma to enhance the dish.
3 cloves garlic and 3 slices ginger: remove any gamey taste and elevate the flavor.
2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce: enhance the taste and color of the dish.
1 tablespoon cooking wine: removes the gamey taste and helps tenderize the meat.
5 rock sugar pieces: adds sweetness and balances the flavors.
2 star anise, 2 bay leaves, 1 cinnamon stick: contribute a rich fragrance to the dish.
Instructions:
Clean the Chicken thighs and make a few shallow cuts on the surface to allow the flavors to penetrate.
Place the Chicken thighs in cold water, add ginger slices and cooking wine, blanch briefly, and set aside.
Peel and chop the potatoes into cubes. Cut an "X" on the tops of the tomatoes, blanch in boiling water to peel off the skins, then chop into small pieces. Slice the onion, and mince the garlic.
In the slow cooker, sauté the garlic and onion slices until fragrant, then add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they release their juice.
Add the blanched Chicken thighs, potato cubes, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, rock sugar, star anise, bay leaves, and cinnamon stick. Add enough water to cover the ingredients.
Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours, then adjust the salt to taste.
Curry Carrot Slow Cooker Chicken thighs
Ingredients
4 Chicken thighs: the main protein for the dish.
2 carrots: provide sweetness and a rich source of nutrients.
Half an onion: gives a strong fragrance, forming the base of the dish's aroma.
100g curry cubes: the key seasoning, giving the dish its distinctive curry flavor.
100ml coconut milk: adds a rich, creamy texture and smoothness.
1 tablespoon soy sauce: enhances flavor and brings out the natural taste of the ingredients.
1 tablespoon cooking wine: removes the gamey taste from the chicken.
3 slices ginger: helps remove any unpleasant odor and adds fragrance.
Instructions:
Clean the Chicken thighs and blanch briefly.
Peel and chop the carrots into cubes. Slice the onion.
Heat some oil in the slow cooker, then sauté the ginger slices and onion until fragrant. Add the carrots and stir-fry for a few minutes.
Add the Chicken thighs, soy sauce, and cooking wine. Stir to combine.
Add enough water, cover, and cook on low for 2-3 hours.
Once the time is up, add the curry cubes and stir until they dissolve. Pour in the coconut milk and cook for another 15-20 minutes. Adjust salt to taste.
Shiitake and Jujube Slow Cooker Chicken thighs
Ingredients
4 Chicken thighs: providing rich protein and meat flavor.
8 dried shiitake mushrooms: offer a deep umami taste, enhancing the dish’s flavor.
6 jujubes: add sweetness and a mild fruity flavor to the broth.
10 goji berries: for nourishment and added nutrition.
A handful of scallions and 3 slices ginger: removes the gamey taste and improves the dish’s flavor.
2 tablespoons soy sauce and 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce: soy sauce enhances the freshness, dark soy sauce provides color, making the dish more appetizing.
1 tablespoon cooking wine: removes the chicken’s gamey flavor and helps tenderize the meat.
3 pieces rock sugar: adds sweetness and balances the taste.
Instructions:
Soak the dried shiitake mushrooms in water. Don’t discard the soaking liquid.
Blanch the Chicken thighs briefly and set aside.
In the slow cooker, add the scallion, ginger slices, Chicken thighs, shiitake mushrooms, jujubes, and goji berries.
Add soy sauce, dark soy sauce, cooking wine, rock sugar, and the mushroom soaking water. Add enough fresh water to cover the ingredients.
Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours, then adjust the salt to taste.
Coke and Orleans Slow Cooker Chicken thighs
Ingredients
4 Chicken thighs: the main protein, providing a rich flavor.
30g Orleans seasoning mix: imparts a unique Orleans flavor to the Chicken thighs.
1 can of Coke: adds sweetness, helping the chicken become tender.
3 slices ginger and 3 cloves garlic: remove any gamey taste and enhance the flavor.
1 tablespoon soy sauce: enhances the flavor and brings out the aroma of the chicken.
1 tablespoon cooking wine: removes the gamey taste and purifies the chicken’s flavor.
Instructions:
Clean the Chicken thighs and make shallow cuts in the meat. Place the Chicken thighs in a bowl.
Add the Orleans seasoning, soy sauce, cooking wine, ginger slices, and garlic, then mix well and marinate for 2 hours.
Place the marinated Chicken thighs in the slow cooker and pour in the Coke.
Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours until done.
Sauerkraut and Vermicelli Slow Cooker Chicken thighs
Ingredients
4 Chicken thighs: the main ingredient, providing protein and flavor.
200g sauerkraut: the key ingredient that adds a tangy and savory flavor to the dish.
100g vermicelli: adds texture and variety to the dish.
3 slices ginger and 3 cloves garlic: remove gamey taste and add fragrance.
A handful of chopped scallions: used as garnish before serving.
2 tablespoons soy sauce and 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce: soy sauce enhances flavor, while dark soy sauce gives a beautiful color to the dish.
1 tablespoon cooking wine: helps to remove the gamey taste and purifies the chicken’s flavor.
Instructions:
Blanch the Chicken thighs and set aside. Soak the vermicelli in warm water until soft. Clean the sauerkraut, squeeze out excess water, and chop into small pieces.
Heat some oil in the slow cooker, add ginger slices and garlic, and sauté until fragrant. Add the sauerkraut and stir-fry to release the aroma.
Add the Chicken thighs, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and cooking wine. Stir to combine.
Pour in enough water, cover, and cook on low for 2-3 hours.
Add the soaked vermicelli in the last 15 minutes of cooking.
Adjust salt to taste and garnish with chopped scallions.
How long to cook chicken thighs in slow cooker on low?
Cooking Chicken thighs on low in a slow cooker takes about 2.5 to 3 hours. The exact time depends on the size of the Chicken thighs and your preference for tenderness.
If the Chicken thighs are smaller, 2.5 hours will be sufficient. If they’re larger or you prefer a more tender texture, cook for up to 3 hours.
For best results, marinate the Chicken thighs briefly with simple seasonings such as ginger slices, scallions, cooking wine, and a little salt to remove any gamey taste and enhance the flavor.
Add the marinated Chicken thighs to the slow cooker with enough water (just covering the chicken), cover, and cook on low.
How long to cook chicken thighs in slow cooker on high?
On high, Chicken thighs will need about 1.5 to 2 hours.
For regular-sized Chicken thighs, cooking for 1.5 hours on high will typically be sufficient.
If the Chicken thighs are large or you prefer them softer, cooking for around 2 hours is a safe bet.
To check for doneness, poke the thickest part of the Chicken thigh with chopsticks. If there’s no blood running out, the chicken is done.
Keep in mind that slow cookers may vary in power, so adjust the cooking time as needed.
How many chicken thighs for 5 people?
For a regular family meal, 1-2 Chicken thighs per person is generally sufficient. For 5 people, 5-10 Chicken thighs should be enough, ensuring everyone gets a portion without excess waste.
For a friend gathering or party, you may want to prepare more. 2-3 Chicken thighs per person would be ideal, so for 5 people, 10-15 Chicken thighs should suffice.
For a kids’ gathering, you can reduce the amount. 1 Chicken thigh per child will be enough, so 5-6 Chicken thighs should be sufficient for 5 people.
