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Tender Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken Thighs

slow cooker brown sugar garlic chicken thighs - featured image
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A simple and forgiving slow cooker recipe that delivers tender, juicy chicken thighs with a sticky-sweet garlic glaze, perfect for easy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds / 900 grams)
  • 1/3 cup (70 grams) brown sugar, packed
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
  • Ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (for thickening sauce)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season lightly with black pepper.
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together brown sugar, minced garlic, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and olive oil until sugar dissolves and mixture is glossy.
  3. Optional: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and brown chicken thighs skin-side down for about 3 minutes until golden.
  4. Place chicken thighs skin-side up in the slow cooker and pour the brown sugar garlic sauce evenly over the chicken.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until chicken is tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.
  6. Optional: If sauce is too thin after cooking, stir in cornstarch slurry, turn heat to high, and cook uncovered for 15-20 minutes until sauce thickens.
  7. Remove chicken carefully with tongs and spoon sauce over the top before serving.

Notes

Patting chicken dry is crucial for a nice glaze. Browning chicken before slow cooking is optional but adds flavor. Do not overcrowd the slow cooker to allow sauce circulation. Resist opening the lid too often to maintain heat. Adjust seasoning after cooking as soy sauce saltiness varies. Sauce thickens if left undisturbed; use cornstarch slurry if needed. The recipe is forgiving and can be cooked longer without drying out.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chicken, brown sugar chicken, garlic chicken thighs, easy dinner, weeknight recipe, slow cooker recipe, tender chicken, sticky glaze

Find it online: https://vexifood.com/tender-slow-cooker-brown-sugar-garlic-chicken-thighs-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-weeknight-dinners/