Slow Cooker Chicken Dinner (Printable Version)
Tender chicken with vegetables in herb-infused sauce, slow-cooked to perfection.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 4 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs
→ Vegetables
02 - 3 large carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
03 - 3 medium potatoes, cut into cubes
04 - 1 large onion, sliced
05 - 2 celery stalks, chopped
06 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
→ Sauces & Liquids
07 - 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
08 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
→ Spices & Herbs
09 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
10 - 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
11 - 1 teaspoon paprika
12 - Salt and pepper to taste
→ Optional Garnish
13 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
# How-To:
01 - Generously season chicken thighs on all sides with salt, pepper, paprika, dried thyme, and dried rosemary, ensuring even coverage.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken thighs and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. This step enhances flavor depth but can be skipped if time is limited.
03 - Layer the carrots, potatoes, onion, celery, and minced garlic evenly across the bottom of the slow cooker insert, creating a bed for the chicken.
04 - Arrange the browned chicken thighs on top of the vegetable layer, spacing them evenly to ensure proper heat circulation during cooking.
05 - Pour the low-sodium chicken broth over the chicken and vegetables, ensuring the liquid distributes throughout the cooker.
06 - Cover with the lid and cook on low setting for 6 hours. The chicken should be tender and easily pull away from the bone, and vegetables should be fork-tender.
07 - Transfer chicken and vegetables to serving plates or a large platter. Ladle some of the cooking liquid over the top and garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- Everything goes into one pot and you walk away for six hours
- The chicken becomes impossibly tender without any fuss
- Your kitchen smells incredible all day long
02 -
- Browning the chicken first is optional but absolutely worth the extra ten minutes
- Don't lift the lid during cooking or you'll add precious time to the process
- The broth creates its own sauce so no need to thicken anything at the end
03 -
- Pat the chicken completely dry before seasoning for better browning
- Cut vegetables into similar sizes so they cook evenly