Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken made with just five ingredients, you can set it in minutes and have the perfect weeknight meal!
Or if you’re looking for a slow cooker pork version of this recipe (minus the veggies and plus some bacon) here it is! Slow Cooker Bacon Garlic Pork Loin
Some notes about this Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken:
- Yes, you can absolutely make this meal in the oven. Set it on a sheet pan just like you would in the slow cooker and roast at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes (you may want to use foil).
- Want some spice? Add in crushed red pepper or a squirt of Sriracha.
- If you want an even deeper caramel flavor, try dark brown sugar.
- Do not add any liquid! I know it can be scary to cook dry in a slow cooker, the chicken will release a lot of liquids.
- Serve with rice or potato wedges and roasted vegetables.
You can also swap out different cuts of chicken in the slow cooker.
- Try using Chicken Breasts (brownie points for draping bacon on them to keep the chicken moist).
- Double the topping and toss chicken wings with the same topping and cook for 6 hours on low.
- Try rubbing a double topping amount over an entire chicken propped up on some foil balls to keep the chicken out of liquid.
Looking for more slow cooker chicken recipes?
- Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken
- Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken
- Slow Cooker Jerk Chicken
- Crisp & Juicy Slow Cooker Chicken
- Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken
Looking for more awesome Brown Sugar Garlic Recipes?
- Brown Sugar Garlic Oven Baked Pork Chops
- Brown Sugar Garlic Pork with Carrots and Potatoes
- Bacon Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken
- Slow Cooker Bacon Brown Sugar Garlic Pork Loin
Tools Used in the making of these Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken Thighs:
Slow Cooker: Love this slow cooker and how programmable it is, it has been a workhorse for me… until…
My New Slow Cooker: This recipe was made in this slow cooker. For larger roasts I also brown the meat in the insert and not lose a bunch of the flavor by transferring the meat and leaving the browned bits behind. If you’re thinking of a new slow cooker, consider it if your budget is open.
Recipe
Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken
- Yield: 5 Servings
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
- Course: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
- Author: Sabrina Snyder
Ingredients
- 5 chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/3 cup brown sugar packed
Instructions
Note: click on times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer while cooking.
- Add the chicken, salt, pepper and garlic to the slow cooker.
- Mix it up then flip the chicken skin side up.
- Sprinkle on the brown sugar.
Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
Nutrition Information
Yield: 5 Servings, Amount per serving: 308 calories, Calories: 308g, Carbohydrates: 15g, Protein: 18g, Fat: 18g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 110mg, Sodium: 324mg, Potassium: 263mg, Sugar: 14g, Vitamin A: 90g, Vitamin C: 1g, Calcium: 27g, Iron: 0.9g
All images and text © for Dinner, then Dessert.
I made this last night in the crock pot. I doubled the recipe and used defrosted chicken thighs. It cooked on low for about 6 1/2 hours. The taste was wonderful, but the chicken thighs were a little dry. I will make this again and cook it for a shorter time, maybe just 5 hours on low.
This is just excellent. I used 3 Pounds boneless, skinless thighs, and doubled the brown sugar garlic mixture. I decreased the cooking time to low for 6 hours, and made sure it was 165 degrees. I served it over plain couscous , which soaks up all those yummy juices. Served with roasted brussel sprouts, and flaky crescent rolls. My mom loved it so much, she has requested it for her Mothers Day dinner. Thank you for the recipe. It will be made often at my house!
I’ve made this recipe 2x so far and each time the family/guests loved it. I have made 2 modifications to the recipe- I brown the chicken in pan beforehand. This is especially recommended if using skinless thighs or breasts. And, in addition to the brown sugar, I drizzle honey on top before starting the slow cooking. It adds a deepness of flavor.
Can sweet potatoes be added to this
I’d make them separately.
Thank you for this recipe.
We love it so much.
I use this recipe a bunch.
Good go-to recipe.
Does cooking time need to be adjusted for bone in thighs or is bone in preferred?
I did use bone in thighs for this recipe. I feel like it protects the chicken from drying out. Enjoy!
Hi, wondering if drumsticks would be okay too. I’m cooking this tonight, looks delicious!
There’s not as much meat on them so I recommend propping them up around the slow cooker (not laying flat) and you’ll need to reduce the cooking time as well.
Soooo grateful to have found your recipe! It’s absolutely delicious! Goes well with rice and vegetables! ??
I did it 4 hours on high and my chicken was soooo dry. I want to reduce to time or try cooking it on slow, but I’m afraid 8 hours will be much too long.
Love this recipe but I overcooked it. I was using boneless skinless chicken. I am trying it again on high temp for 2 hours
I have minced dried garlic is that ok or should it be fresh?
That’ll work though you might not need as much as dried garlic is more potent than fresh. I hope you enjoy it.
Made this tonight, sauce was yummy but chicken looked unappetizing & rubbery, surprisingly it didn’t taste too bad. Not sure I would make it again, if I did, I think I might try browning the meat first.
I’m going to try your tonight but what did you serve it with? Rice? Pasta?
Either would work or any vegetable as well. It’s a very versatile dish.
What is the liquid in the bottom of the slow cooker the recipe doesn’t say any liquids. If I just put straight chicken in my slow cooker it will dry out and burn for sure. I was thinking a little chicken broth, would that work?
The chicken will release liquid as it cooks down. I didn’t add anything extra that’s not listed in the recipe card. I hope you enjoy it!
Love this. I usually add way more brown sugar and garlic just personally how I like it. I also use chicken thighs. Great recipe. Got it from my cousin lol
This was delicious, quick and easy and I made it in the oven and covered it with foil. After 15 minutes I took the foil off and flipped the chicken over to finish cooking.
Would you recommend anything different for chicken breasts? And will a slow cooker liner affect anything?
I’ve never been a fan of using the liners. I feel like they don’t allow the chicken to crisp up but allow more steaming to happen. If you plan on using breasts, I’d cook it for less time. Maybe check it an hour or 30 minutes before to ensure they don’t dry out. Good luck!
I’m going to try this using boneless, skinless chicken breast. Anything I should do differently?
You might want to cut back the time by about 30 minutes so it doesn’t dry out. Good luck!
This reminds me of your Brown Sugar Pork Chops recipe. Could I add the ingredients for that amazing sauce to this chicken recipe? Sounds like it could work.
Sure 🙂
This is one of my all time favorite recipes! It is so easy and so delicious! The reheated leftovers are just as good!
Thanks, Meredith.
When i tried to cook this, all of my liquid came out clear, there was no dark sauce to it. Any tips for next time?
Make sure that your chicken is fully thawed and I even pat mine dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. The chicken could’ve released more liquid making it clear. Also, try using a dark brown sugar if you didn’t already. Hope this helps for next time.