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Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Thighs Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.5 from 18 reviews
  • Author: Sarah
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours
  • Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Italian-inspired

Description

This Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Thighs recipe features tender bone-in chicken thighs cooked to perfection with a creamy garlic and sundried tomato sauce. The chicken is first seared to enhance flavor, then slow-cooked to develop rich, comforting tastes. Perfect for serving over pasta or alongside roasted potatoes and vegetables, this dish combines simple ingredients for a hearty, delicious meal.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Chicken

  • 6 bone-in chicken thighs
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon oil

Sauce

  • 1/2 onion, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/3 cup chopped sundried tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup chicken stock
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • Optional: fresh spinach (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Season Chicken: Season the bone-in chicken thighs evenly with salt and pepper on all sides to prepare for searing.
  2. Sear Chicken: Heat oil and butter together in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken thighs skin side down and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook for another minute to seal the juices.
  3. Transfer to Slow Cooker: Remove seared chicken thighs from the skillet and place them into the slow cooker evenly.
  4. Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet with remaining oil and butter, sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic for 3 to 4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  5. Deglaze Skillet: Pour chicken stock into the skillet to deglaze. Scrape the brown bits stuck to the bottom of the pan to capture all the flavor, then pour this mixture into the slow cooker.
  6. Add Sundried Tomatoes and Seasoning: Add chopped sundried tomatoes and Italian seasoning to the slow cooker with the chicken and onion mixture. Stir slightly to combine.
  7. Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6 to 7 hours until chicken is tender and cooked through.
  8. Crisp Chicken Skin (Optional): Once cooking is complete, remove the chicken thighs from the slow cooker. Keep them covered to stay warm, or for crispy skin, broil in a preheated oven at 200 degrees Celsius for 2 to 3 minutes.
  9. Prepare Sauce: Add heavy cream and shredded Parmesan cheese to the remaining liquid in the slow cooker. Optionally add fresh spinach at this stage. Cover and cook on low for an additional 20 to 30 minutes until the sauce thickens and flavors meld.
  10. Combine and Serve: Return the chicken thighs to the slow cooker and pour the creamy sauce over them. Serve hot on top of pasta or alongside roasted potatoes and vegetables for a complete meal.

Notes

  • For richer flavor, sear the chicken until the skin is deeply golden before slow cooking.
  • Adding fresh spinach to the sauce adds color and nutrition but is optional.
  • Broiling the chicken at the end crisps up the skin if you prefer texture contrast.
  • Serve this dish with pasta, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables for a hearty dinner.
  • Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 450 kcal
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 650 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 14 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 35 g
  • Cholesterol: 120 mg

Find it online: https://ovenandolive.com/slow-cooker-creamy-chicken-thighs-recipe/