Chicken thighs are an amazing cut of meat to cook in the crockpot. They come out unbelievably tender and full of flavor after hours of slow cooking. But exactly how long do you need to cook chicken thighs in a crockpot to get perfect results? In this detailed guide, I’ll walk through everything you need to know to make delicious crockpot chicken thighs every time.
Factors That Affect Cooking Time
There are general rules for cooking chicken thighs in a crock pot, but the exact timing can change depending on a number of factors.
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Chicken thighs with bones: These take longer to cook, usually 6 to 8 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high. Thighs without bones cook faster, in 4 to 6 hours on low or 2 to 3 hours on high.
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Thickness – Thicker thighs require more time than thinner pieces to cook through. Aim for uniformly thick thighs
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Quantity – Avoid overcrowding the crockpot which lengthens the cooking time. Cook thighs in a single layer.
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Crockpot model/age – Older or less efficient crockpots may cook more slowly. Understand your appliance.
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Ingredients added – Ingredients like frozen veggies or potatoes can slightly impact temperature.
The best way to check for doneness is using a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Recommended Cooking Times
Here are general time ranges based on common factors:
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Boneless chicken thighs on low: 4-6 hours
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Boneless chicken thighs on high: 2-3 hours
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Bone-in chicken thighs on low: 6-8 hours
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Bone-in chicken thighs on high: 3-4 hours
Within these ranges, start checking the temperature about an hour before the low end of the estimate. It’s always better to slightly overcook than undercook.
Preparation Tips
To maximize flavor and texture, keep these preparation tips in mind:
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Pick good chicken thighs. Look for thighs that are full and have few blemishes. Organic and air-chilled are great options.
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Prepare ahead of time—Soak for one hour or overnight to add more flavor. Consider olive oil, garlic, spices, citrus, etc.
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Sear before slow cooking – Browning the thighs boosts flavor. Sear for 3-4 minutes per side in a skillet before crockpot.
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Arrange properly – Keep thighs in a single layer, avoiding overlap, for even cooking.
Delicious Flavor Combinations
One benefit of crockpot chicken is you can infuse so many flavors. Try these tasty ideas:
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Barbecue – Toss with barbecue sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire.
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Lemon herb – Brighten with lemon, garlic, rosemary, thyme.
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Honey garlic – Sweet and savory with honey, garlic, soy sauce.
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Mexican – Add salsa, onions, cumin, oregano for tacos.
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Mixed veggies – Throw in potatoes, carrots, celery for a meal.
The options are endless for creative flavors.
Helpful Crockpot Chicken Tips
Here are some other useful tips for maximizing your crockpot chicken thighs:
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Add sufficient liquid like broth, at least 1/2 cup. This keeps things moist and creates a tasty sauce.
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Resist opening the lid, which releases heat and moisture. Wait at least 2 hours between lifts.
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Shred and toss with sauce at the end for pulled chicken. Works great for sandwiches.
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Adjust sauce consistency by reducing uncovered or adding slurry of cornstarch/water.
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Store leftovers within 2 hours. Refrigerate 3-4 days or freeze up to 4 months.
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Reheat fully to 165°F and add broth if needed to prevent drying out.
Crockpot Chicken Lets You Unleash Your Creativity
As you can see, cooking chicken thighs in the crockpot opens up amazing possibilities for infusing flavor. With the proper timing and some simple preparation, you can enjoy incredibly moist, fall-off-the-bone chicken and delicious homemade sauce to enjoy all week long. Get ready to unleash your inner chef with tasty crockpot creations!
How To Make Slow-Cooker Chicken Thighs
- EVOO: Choose your favorite brand or look at our list of the best (and worst!) olive oil brands.
- As for the chicken thighs, you can use either boneless or bone-in thighs for this recipe.
- Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: To keep the sauce (and your chicken) from getting too salty, I suggest using low-sodium soy sauce.
- You might think ketchup is an odd thing to add, but trust me—it’s a simple way to thicken the sauce and add a sharp sweetness.
- Honey: Honey gives our sauce a caramelized sweetness that really makes it whole.
- If you don’t want your garlic to stand out too much in the sauce, mince it well. For me, 3 cloves is the right amount, but you can change it if you need to.
- Minced fresh ginger: This may seem like an extra step, but it gives the sauce a lot of new flavor and zing.
- Sriracha: I like spicy food, so I add some Sriracha here. You can cut down on the amount or leave it out completely if you don’t like it.
- Lime Juice: Fresh lime juice gives the dish a bright citrus taste and makes it taste better overall.
First, we’re going to sear our chicken thighs in a large skillet over medium heat. Heat the oil, season the chicken with salt and pepper, and cook until golden. Searing the chicken thighs may seem like an annoying step, but trust me—its worth it. Once golden on both sides, transfer to the slow cooker.
In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, ketchup, honey, garlic, ginger, Sriracha, and lime juice with a whisk. Our sauce is now ready. Once combined, pour the sauce over the chicken directly in the slow cooker. Give the chicken a toss to fully combine in the sauce until coated.
If you have time, cook on low for 5 to 6 hours. If you need dinner on the table faster, cook on high for 2 hours. Cook until the chicken is no longer pink and cooked through.
Once done, serve the chicken however you please! I love to serve it over white rice with plenty of the sauce spooned over, but you do you.
The full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe below.
- Searing the chicken. Even though the chicken skin loses some of its crispiness in the slow cooker, this makes it nice and crispy. It also caramelizes the fat, which makes it taste even better. If you dont want to do it, thats totally fine. You can just throw the chicken in the slow cooker.
CROCKPOT CHICKEN THIGHS | Fall off the bone | easy & delicious quick recipe | dump & go
FAQ
Is it better to cook chicken on low or high in the crockpot?
Low Setting: Cooking on low (typically around 200°F or 93°C) is recommended for more tender, juicy chicken. It allows the meat to cook slowly, breaking down the fibers and collagen, which results in a more flavorful dish. This method usually takes about 6 to 8 hours.
Is 2 hours long enough for chicken thighs in a slow cooker on high?
In two batches, brown chicken, skin side down, in hot pan. This will take 2-4 minutes. Put the lid on and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3 hours, until a meat thermometer reads 165 degrees F in the thickest part.
How long to cook chicken thighs in crock pot?
Chicken thighs should be cooked in a crock pot for about 4 to 6 hours on low heat or 2 to 3 hours on high heat. What temperature should the chicken thighs reach? Chicken thighs should be cooked until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure they are safe to eat. Should I use bone-in or boneless chicken thighs?.
How long does it take to cook chicken in a crock pot?
The chicken thighs will cook in a crock pot in a mere 3 hours. Avoid adding any veggies with a high water content to let the meat caramelize. Stick to red bell peppers, broccoli, or some green onions, according to the recipe. The flavors will develop in the crock pot.
Can you cook boneless chicken thighs in a crock pot?
Yes, you can cook boneless chicken thighs in a crock pot. To keep the dish from being too dry, add one cup of liquid for every pound of meat. Do not heat dairy with acidic elements as they will separate and ruin the texture of your food. Too much liquid can also ruin the dish.
How long do you cook chicken legs in a crock pot?
Place lid on the crock pot. Cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours. Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Leftovers: Store any leftover chicken legs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm them in the microwave or low and slow in the oven until heated through.
Should you Brown chicken thighs before crock pot?
Browning the chicken thighs before placing them in the crock pot is not mandatory, but it can add extra flavor to the dish. If you have the time, consider searing the chicken thighs in a hot skillet for a few minutes on each side before transferring them to the crock pot.
How do you slow cook chicken thighs?
To slow cook chicken thighs in a 5-in-1 Multi-Cooker, add the chicken thighs, stock, thyme, and oregano and stir gently. Bring to a boil and press the Slow Cook button, set 6 hours on the timer and then Start. Close the lid and ensure that the pressure limiting valve is set on Exhaust. Once finished, open the lid and let the food sit in the cooking pot for another 15 minutes to cool.