Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken made with just five ingredients, you can set it in minutes and have the perfect weeknight meal!
Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken is the slow cooker chicken version of one of the most popular recipes on my blog of all time, Brown Sugar Garlic Pork with Carrots & Potatoes.
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.
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
- 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
Thighs done in 4 hours on low. They were moist and tender. Thighs did not brown until I put a tiny bit of vegetable oil on the top of each.
Cooked this for dinner tonight. It was delicious! I have a 1980’s Rival Corning Ware crockpot. I think the newer ones cook much hotter. I put the thighs (bone in/skin on) in at 10 AM and we ate dinner about 6. They were juicy, and very tender. A newer crockpot may need only 6-7 hours on low. We loved it and will make it again.
Not to be that one person here but garbage I did it to a T either my slow cooker is broken and cooked way too hot but the chicken was way over cooked extremely dry and not flavourful the picture definitely makes me want to eat it but what I got at the end was not what the picture looks like
Oh no! I am so sorry it didn’t come out good for you!!!
Sound good but could skinless chix breast be used instead of thighs?
Can I use chicken breast for this recipe instead of chicken thighs?
Hi Sabrina,
This is my third try to leave a comment, so apologize for the duplicates if you are getting them! Could you please tell me exactly what make/model of slow cooker you have? I would like to buy one as I am always trying to find a slow cooker that actually cooks slow. This was a tasty recipe but was overcooked even though I cooked on low for only 5 hours. So that is my slow cooker dilemma! Please help, I would be so grateful! Thank you!
Hi! I use a few different ones, but one I use is 6 qt Cooks brand
Sabrina, could you please tell me exactly what kind of slow cooker you have? I seriously want to buy one. Today’s “slow” cookers cook way too fast and I am always trying to find one that actually cooks slow. Although this was a tasty recipe, the chicken (bone-in, skin on thighs) became way too done and I only cooked for 5 hours on low. Please help with the type that you have!! I would be so grateful!
Thank you!
Best recipe! Have been using for three years now.
The best slow cooker chicken thigh recipe ever! Little ingredients and great flavor. I come back to make it over and over!
This recipe is definitely a keeper. I used 3 chicken thighs and 1 1/2 hours later added 2 chicken breast. My total cooking time was 7 1/2 hours. My crockpot tends to cook a little quicker than others. The meat thermometer registered the thighs at 198 and breast were 205 degrees. It was delicious. Thank you for sharing.?
So easy to make. 5 ingredients! Delicious!
I have just a question. Can you use chicken breast? Whenever I eat thighs, they seem to have a different taste, one I really don’t care for too much
I know my response is late, but you most definitely could use a brown sugar substitute to make it sugar-free and keto friendly! I bet it would be great 🙂
I followed your directions and let me say! Not only did I love it my wife also loved it! I have tried 100’s of recipes from the internet and never wrote a comment. But this one is spot on! Simple,Quick,Easy and taste soooo good! Thank you for sharing! On to your other recipes!!!!
Thank you Don!
This recipe is one of my favorites. Everyone I make it for loves it and always asks me to make it again. Love it. Yummy yummy
Could you use frozen chicken legs for this?
Sure just thaw them first.
I add butter to the mix…. amazing
I like the simple ingredients, but mine came out too sweet and bland. Not enough salt. I’m not sure what happened.
This recipe was so good! I placed white sweet potatoes, carrots, sliced onions and sliced green and red bell peppers in the bottom of the slow cooker. After seasoning the chicken on both sides with the salt, pepper, garlic powder and dried thyme, I placed the pieces on top of the vegetables and sprinkled the brown sugar over it and cooked according to the recipe. The flavor of the vegetables and the chicken was unbelievably good, especially the next day. I am making it again very soon.
This recipe was so good! I placed white sweet potatoes, carrots, sliced onions and sliced green and red bell peppers in the bottom of the slow cooker. After seasoning the chicken on both sides, I placed the pieces on top of the vegetables and sprinkled the brown sugar over it and cooked. The flavor of the vegetables and the chicken was unbelievably good, especially the next day. I am making it again very soon.
Delicious. Saving it on my recipe list that the family enjoyed. Appreciate you have such an awesome selection
Why do mine look so pale? They are browning up at all!
Did your chicken thighs release a lot of liquid? Was the slow cooker really crowded? If so the liquid could go above the chicken which would mean no browning.
Could you use brown sugar substitute to make this more Keto friendly?
Brown sugar isn’t necessarily keto-friendly but I would recommend Stevia which is the best sugar substitute for keto diets.
I know my response is late, but you most definitely could use a brown sugar substitute to make it sugar-free and keto friendly! I bet it would be great 🙂
Can you make this in the instant pot? How long would I cook it for bone in thighs? Need to add water?
Many recipes can be modified for an instant pot. It’s common to have liquid in an instant pot recipe. Check your instant pot directions for the cooking time for the meat you have chosen.
Can you use chicken breasts?
Yes, you can!
This is an excellent recipe. I’ve tried with chicken and also pork chops and it’s DELICIOUS with each. I love that it’s so easy to make, as well as adaptable and I always have garlic and brown sugar on hand. Yummy.
SO glad you enjoyed the recipe Kerah. thank you!
Excellent my family loved it served it with rice pilaf but would be great on pasta makes its own sauce
So happy you loved it, and are finding new ways to enjoy it!!
I used10 chicken thighs with skin on, bone-in. I removed the skin, doubled the garlic, and seasonings except the salt (used a rosemary and salt seasoning mix), and a lot of brown sugar. I purposely sprinkled the brown sugar and used a lot of it, but near the last hour or so as brown sugar, and barbecue sauce used at the beginning in slowcooker recipe times will badly stick on the sides and bottom (very hard clean up) of your slow cooker even through slow cooker bag liners. Previous lessons learned. This recipe was very tasty. I used the 8hr timing, and the brown sugar overpowered the other seasonings even few days later. lol It was so good. Everything turned out perfect, and very tasty! Thank you for sharing!
Hi CJ! I’m so happy your dish turned out fantastic and lasted for multiple seating’s. Hope to see you back soon!
Thank you!
Have you ever used boneless, skinless chicken thighs?
I had 10 chicken thighs skin on, bone-in. I removed the skin, doubled the garlic, and seasonings except the salt (used a rosemary and salt seasoning mix), and a lot of brown sugar. I purposely sprinkled the brown sugar and used a lot of it ?, but near the last hour or so as brown sugar, and barbecue sauce in slowcooker recipes will stain your slow cooker badly even through slow cooker bag liners. This recipe was very tasty. I used the 8hr timing, and the brown sugar overpowered the other seasonings. lol Everything was perfect, and very tasty! Thank you for sharing!
I’m having company. Can I put 9 or 10 pieces in my crock pot at once and add more ingredients and cook time?
No, I’m so sorry. Layering them will leave half of them cooking in a lot of liquid and soggy. They need to be in a single layer to cook evenly.
So, i woke up this morning, and omg….needed a quick recipe in a hurry to cook chicken in crock pot before leaving for work. I didnt plan. Found this recipe was perfect! So easy and very delicious. Definitely a keeper! 🙂 husband loved it too.
Do I add water to this recipe
Test Comment
It works!
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!
Hello…when you used the boneless and skinless thighs did they produce enough juices? Also, about how many thighs is 3lbs?
Thank you
Lacee
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.
Hi Adriana & Sabrina, I want to tell you my experience with this. First of all, I am so disappointed with today’s “slow” cookers – which do NOT cook slow at all….I owned one as a young woman and you could cook a whole chicken on low for 9-10 hours and it would be amazing. Not anymore – so Sabrina – Could you please tell me exactly what model of slow cooker you use? I would like to get one – seriously. Because I have tried so many and none cook slow anymore. I even got expensive ones – still not good. I made this recipe and cooked for 5 hours on low…knowing how they do not really cook slow – and it was STILL way overcooked. So Adriana, I would cook on low for 4 hours. But Sabrina, please tell me, put me out of my modern “slow” cooker misery!! Tasty recipe, too dry and overdone because of fast cookers.
Wish I could see a answer to your question because I have the same questions..
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.
What degrees did you bake it at? After you flipped the chicken did you put the foil bake on the baking dish? How long did you bake it after turning the chicken?
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!
How did it turn out? I am wanting to do breast also
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.