Chicken Thigh Crockpot Delight: The Easiest, Most Flavorful Weeknight Meal!
Are you searching for a delicious, easy, and family-friendly dinner solution? Look no further! This Chicken Thigh Crockpot Delight recipe is about to become your new weeknight staple. Imagine tender, juicy chicken thighs, bursting with flavor, and practically falling apart – all thanks to the magic of your crockpot. This dish is perfect those busy evenings when you want a home-cooked meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
We all know the challenges of juggling work, family, and everything in between. Finding time to cook a wholesome meal can feel impossible. That’s where the slow cooker shines! This recipe is forgiving, foolproof, and incredibly versatile. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, you can whip up this Chicken Thigh Crockpot Delight with minimal effort. You can use pretty much any combination of your favorite seasonings too!
Forget stressing about complicated recipes and endless cleanup. This recipe is all about simplicity and maximum flavor. It’s a dump-and-go meal that allows you to set it and forget it, leaving you free to tackle other tasks or simply relax. Plus, using chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts ensures that the meat stays incredibly moist and flavorful throughout the slow cooking process. No dry chicken here!
This recipe also caters to various dietary needs and preferences. Whether you are looking for some healthy crockpot recipes, high protein crockpot recipes, or simply want to impress your family with a delicious and comforting meal, this Chicken Thigh Crockpot Delight is sure to be a hit! And, with the cooler months approaching, it’s the perfect addition to your repertoire of fall crockpot recipes.
Get ready to transform ordinary chicken thighs into an extraordinary meal that will have everyone begging for seconds. Let’s dive into this incredible Chicken Thigh Crockpot Delight recipe – your taste buds will thank you!
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Thigh Crockpot Delight
- Effortless Preparation: Simply toss the ingredients into your crockpot, set it, and forget it. Seriously, it’s that easy! One thing everyone loves is crockpot dump recipes!
- Incredible Flavor: The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld together, creating a rich, savory dish that’s far more delicious than you’d expect from such a simple recipe.
- Perfectly Tender Chicken: Chicken thighs are inherently more flavorful and forgiving than chicken breasts, and they become incredibly tender when slow-cooked. This recipe delivers consistently moist and juicy chicken every time. Unlike some chicken breast crockpot recipes, you won;t have to worry about dry chicken.
- Family-Friendly: Even picky eaters will love the mild, delicious flavors of this dish. Change up the sauce to suit any taste, from sweet to smoky to spiced!
- Versatile and Customizable: Easily adapt the recipe to your liking by adding different vegetables, seasonings, or sauces. Craving something spicy? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Want a touch of sweetness? A drizzle of honey will do the trick. Chicken Thigh Crockpot chicken recipes can be just that easy to customize.
- Great for Meal Prep: This dish is perfect for meal prepping! Make a big batch on the weekend and enjoy delicious, ready-to-eat meals throughout the week.
Ingredients for Chicken Thigh Crockpot Delight
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Optional: 1 red bell pepper, chopped
Substitutions:
- Chicken Thighs: You can use bone-in chicken thighs, but you may need to increase the cooking time. Chicken breasts can also be used, but be careful not to overcook them.
- Chicken Broth: Vegetable broth can be used for a lighter flavor.
- Diced Tomatoes: Fresh diced tomatoes can be used, but you may need to add a little extra liquid.
- Tomato Sauce: You can use tomato puree or crushed tomatoes instead.
How to Make Chicken Thigh Crockpot Delight
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Chop the onion and mince the garlic. If using, chop the red bell pepper.
- Sear the Chicken (Optional): While not necessary, searing the chicken thighs adds an extra layer of flavor. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken thighs for 2-3 minutes per side until lightly browned. If you’re short on time, skip this step – the recipe will still be delicious!
- Layer the Ingredients in the Crockpot: Place the chopped onions at the bottom of the crockpot. This will prevent the chicken from sticking and add flavor to the sauce. Add the minced garlic and, if using, the chopped red bell pepper. Lay the chicken thighs on top of the vegetables.
- Add the Remaining Ingredients: Pour in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chicken broth. Sprinkle with dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper.
- Cook on Low: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be very tender and easily shredded with a fork.
- Shred the Chicken: Once the chicken is cooked through, use two forks to shred it directly in the crockpot. Stir the shredded chicken into the sauce to combine.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve your delicious Chicken Thigh Crockpot Delight hot. It’s fantastic over rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, or even on its own with a side of crusty bread.
Pro Tips & Variations
- Don’t Overcook: While slow cooking is forgiving, overcooking can still result in dry chicken. Check the chicken for doneness around the 6-hour mark on low or the 3-hour mark on high.
- Thicken the Sauce: If the sauce is too thin for your liking, you can thicken it by adding a cornstarch slurry (mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water) to the crockpot during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Add Some Heat: For a spicier dish, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño to the crockpot.
Variations:
- Keto-Friendly: Omit the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce, and add a can of diced green chiles instead.
- Creamy: Stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream or sour cream during the last 30 minutes of cooking for a richer, creamier sauce.
- Vegetable-Packed: Add other vegetables like carrots, celery, or zucchini for a more substantial meal.
Serving Suggestions
This versatile Chicken Thigh Crockpot Delight pairs well with a variety of sides:
- Rice or Quinoa: Serve over a bed of fluffy rice or quinoa to soak up all that delicious sauce.
- Pasta: Toss with your favorite pasta shape for a comforting and satisfying meal. Crockpot pasta recipes can be so versatile.
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are the perfect accompaniment to the tender chicken and flavorful sauce.
- Crusty Bread: Serve with a side of crusty bread for dipping.
- Steamed Vegetables: Pair with steamed broccoli, green beans, or asparagus for a healthy and balanced meal.
Storage & Reheating
Storage:
- Refrigerator: Store leftover Chicken Thigh Crockpot Delight in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezer: For longer storage, freeze the cooked chicken and sauce in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months.
Reheating:
- Stovetop: Reheat the chicken and sauce in a saucepan over medium heat until heated through, stirring occasionally.
- Microwave: Reheat individual portions in the microwave until heated through.
- Crockpot: Reheat in the crockpot on low heat for 1-2 hours.
FAQ about Chicken Thigh Crockpot Delight
Q: Can I use frozen chicken thighs?
A: While it’s best to use thawed chicken thighs for even cooking, you can cook frozen chicken thighs in a crockpot. However, you’ll need to increase the cooking time and ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Add an extra 2-3 hours of cooking time on low or 1-2 hours on high if using frozen. Consider using other frozen items, too, for a crockpot dump recipes option!
Q: Can I make this recipe with chicken breasts?
A: Yes, you can substitute chicken breasts for chicken thighs. However, chicken breasts tend to dry out more easily, so be sure to check for doneness frequently and avoid overcooking. You might also consider adding a little extra chicken broth to keep the chicken moist. As another option, think about preparing crockpot chicken breast recipes.
Q: Is this recipe keto-friendly?
A: As written, this recipe is not strictly keto-friendly due to the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. However, you can easily modify it by omitting those ingredients and adding a can of diced green chiles or a low-carb tomato sauce alternative like Rao’s Marinara. This would make it one of many potentially delicious keto crockpot recipes!
Q: Can I add vegetables to this recipe?
A: Absolutely! Adding vegetables is a great way to make this dish even more nutritious and flavorful. Consider adding carrots, celery, potatoes, zucchini, or bell peppers to the crockpot along with the other ingredients.
Q: What are some other options besides chicken for slowcooking in a crock-pot?
A: You can find ground beef crockpot recipes, beef crockpot recipes or even vegetarian crockpot recipes online. The flavor combinations are endless, and you won’t spend the day watching it cook!
Final Thoughts on Chicken Thigh Crockpot Delight
There you have it – a simple, delicious, and family-friendly Chicken Thigh Crockpot Delight that’s perfect for busy weeknights! We hope this recipe becomes a regular in your meal rotation. This really is one of the best crockpot recipes!
If you enjoyed this recipe, please save it to your Pinterest boards and share it with your friends and family. We’d also love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Do you have any variations or tips to share? What are some of your favorite sides to serve with this dish?
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Chicken Thigh Crockpot Delight
Equipment
- Crockpot
- skillet,
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 14.5 oz diced tomatoes can, undrained
- 15 oz tomato sauce can
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 red bell pepper optional, chopped
Instructions
- Chop the onion and mince the garlic. If using, chop the red bell pepper.
- Optional: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken thighs for 2-3 minutes per side until lightly browned. Skip this step if short on time.
- Place chopped onions at the bottom of the crockpot to prevent sticking and add flavor. Add minced garlic and optional red bell pepper. Lay chicken thighs on top of the vegetables.
- Pour in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chicken broth. Sprinkle with dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper.
- Cover crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until chicken is tender and easily shredded.
- Use two forks to shred chicken directly in crockpot. Stir shredded chicken into the sauce to combine.
- Serve hot over rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, or alone with crusty bread.
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