Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken made with just five ingredients from your pantry. Set it in minutes for the perfect weeknight meal!
This tender, flavorful chicken recipe is the ultimate family meal. For more Slow Cooker Favorites try my Classic Crisp & Juicy Slow Cooker Chicken and Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken.
Sabrina’s Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken
This meal is the slow cooker chicken version of one of the most popular recipes on my blog, Brown Sugar Garlic Pork with Carrots & Potatoes. 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
Recipe Card
Ingredients
- 5 chicken thighs , skin on, bone-in
- 2 tablespoons garlic , minced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar , packed
Instructions
- Add the chicken, salt, pepper, and garlic to the slow cooker.
- Note: If you like more brown, crispy skin you can brown the chicken, skin-side down in a pan with about 1 tablespoon vegetable oil for a few minutes before adding to the slow cooker. If your slow cooker has a sear function, you can sear the skin right in 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.
- (Optional) Serve with fresh chopped parsley sprinkled over the top.
Nutrition
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Table of Contents
About This Recipe
This recipe was made in a slow cooker that has a browning or searing function and the. For larger roasts I also brown the meat in the insert and I don’t 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.
Chef’s Note
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.
What to Pair With
- Serve with white or brown rice or Potato Wedges and Roasted Vegetables. These are some of my favorite sides to pair with this easy meal. You can also just choose your own family favorites. This chicken will go well with so many sides.
Alternative Cooking Techniques
- 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). You can brown the skin under the broiler at the end, if you like.
Variations
- Different Cuts of Chicken: Try using Chicken Breasts (brownie points for draping bacon on them to keep the chicken moist).
- Chicken Wings: Double the topping and toss chicken wings with the same topping and cook for 6 hours on low.
- Whole Chicken: Try rubbing a double topping amount over an entire chicken propped up on some foil balls to keep the chicken out of liquid.
Related Recipes
More Bacon Brown Sugar Recipes
These images were used in previous versions of this post:
This looks delicious!
Could you use boneless, skinless chicken breast? We don’t like thighs ?
Yes! Watch the time as they will take up to 30 minutes at least less time.
Best chicken I’ve ever made!
Thank you Korinne!
Can I layer chicken on top of eachother? I want to make this recipe in a relatively larger quantity for a pot luck.
I wouldn’t but I can understand why you want to. Anybody have a slow cooker you can borrow? Let us know what you thought of the recipe.
You mentioned this could be oven baked on a sheet pan, which allow plenty of room for one layer of thighs.
Can I use chicken breast and is it still the same amount of time?
You can use chicken breast. The time is shortened approx 15 minutes or so. I would watch it starting at the 30 min before done mark and use a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the chicken breast to check for 165 degrees. When you reach that temperature, you’re ready to serve!
This recipe is ??????????stars. I always cut up my own chicken, so I used the legs, thighs, breasts and half way through threw in the wings. I added onion carrots and potatoes for a full meal. Since there was so much more ingredients I doubled the batch. This was so tasty. Thank you so very much for the recipe. My slow cooker is my most valuable unit in my kitchen.??
I’m making this now and I used chicken breast it looks like all the brown sugar fell off and it’s white. Should I open and mix around?
I’m sorry Allison, I missed responding to your comment. How did your chicken turn out?
Question…can I drop in frozen thighs? If it is okay..should I put it on high for a few hours to defrost?
Yes you can, just know that your cook time will increase at least 30 minutes. Check your meet at 8 hours if cooking on low or at 4 hours if cooking on high to see if inner temp of your meat is 165 degrees. This indicates that the meat is done and ready to be served.
Will it work with frozen chicken breasts straight from the freezer? Our schedule is too inconsistent to buy much in the way of fresh ingredients.
Yes this recipe is great with chicken breasts. If frozen, your cook time will increase at least 30 minutes. Check your meat at 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high to see if inside temp of meat is at 165 degrees.
Can you make this with frozen chicken thighs? Or would it be a better choice with fresh thighs?
Fresh Thighs for sure! Thanks for asking Caitlyn.
Sounds great I just can’t wait to try it !
How do you get the chicken thighs to turn brown as shown on the website
Hi Johnnie,
Did you happen to pat the thighs to make sure the only liquid released would be while cooking? It is a little scary to not add liquid when using a slow cooker but it really does work. The thighs will brown as they slowly cook if there is no extra liquid.
Made this last night….delish. It can be hard to find a recipe that is both easy to throw together and tasty. Well, this one checks all the boxes. I added carrots and potatoes for a complete meal in one pot. Thanks for sharing the recipe. Definitely a keeper.
Love it! Thanks for the 5 stars Mary!
Hi, did you add the carrots and potatoes from the start or part way through? Thinking on also adding veggies to the dish but want to make sure I don’t
mess up the chicken.
Instead of thighs can I do breast?
Sure! Keep in mind to watch the inner temp of your chicken breasts so you don’t over cook.
Is this good with chicken legs instead of thighs?
I haven’t tested this recipe with chicken legs. If you decide to try the recipe with chicken legs let us know how it turned out!
This was a hit with my family. I am not a chicken thigh person, but I had some for another recipe that I never made. I found this recipe and WOW! I am even impressed how amazing it is.
Thanks Kel and thanks for the five stars!
Can you use bone.was skinless chicken thighs?
Yes you can and I apologize for the delay in responding! Have a wonderful Summer!
Are you putting water or broth in with it?
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.
Enjoy
Do you use bone in chicken thighs?
I didn’t in this recipe but you can. Add 45 min – 1 hour to the cooking times for bone in chicken thighs or until the meat is 165 degrees at the thickest part of the thigh.
Trying it tonight, let you know tomorrow what we thought about it.Looks good.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes! Make sure the slow cooker is large enough or use two like I do. Enjoy.
Can you put the chicken in frozen ?
I don’t recommend it. I haven’t tested the recipe using frozen chicken; however, you want the chicken to incorporate all the flavors from start to finish.
Can you make this in the oven instead. If so, what temperature and how long.
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).
What is the green on top of the chicken in the pictures? I don’t see it listed anywhere, thank you!
Hi Taylor, that’s just parsley sprinkled over the thighs to make them look pretty 🙂
If using chicken breasts do I put broth? Making for the family and they don’t like thighs
Hi Grace, Here is my Slow Cooker Chicken Breasts recipe for your review: https://dinnerthendessert.com/slow-cooker-chicken-breasts/?swcfpc=1
Can I add vegetables to this and cook with the chicken instead of making a side dish? Can I use boneless skin thighs also? And what can I add if it looks like it needs more moisture?
If you add vegetables, make sure they do not get mushy by cooking too long. Yes boneless skin thighs will work and will not take as long to so watch them. Add a little broth or water (every person has different tastes!)
Can I use bpnelesschicken breasts
Yes, the cooking time will change considerably so check your chicken early to avoid over cooking.
I made this yesterday and it was SO good!!!
My picky husband loved it too!
When I got home from work, I took the chicken out of the slow cooker and “fried” it in the air fryer to get the skin nice & crispy!
Made this for dinner. It was very dry and chewy. Found directions and cooked amount of time correctly. Tasted good, but very dry. Any recommendations to make it less dry???
Oh no, sorry to hear that. Did you use chicken thighs? Asking because the juices from chicken thighs normally create a yummy sauce.
Did you leave the bone in or out for this recipe
We’ve tried both bone in and without and they are both yummy!
Love your recipes, but they won’t print. Other recipe newsletters I print throughout the day. I want yours too! ?
Oh no, I’m sorry to hear that the print button right above the recipe isn’t working for you? I’m not a computer technician so I can’t trouble shoot the reason why.
Hello – do I put chicken stock or does it produce its own juice? Thankyou
If using thighs it will produce it’s own juice.
It was not the best but I would definitely make it again for how easy it was to make. I did think it tasted better the next day.
Omg this is the only way I’m making chicken I made this for my husband and I and it was delicious! Fell apart on our plates . As I write this I’m craving the chicken . Made it with corn and mashed potatoes. Definitely one of my go to recipe !!!!!
Can you use boneless skinless chicken thighs for this ????
Sure
I got boneless skinless not thinking ?. I hope they’ll still turn out okay. I’ll come update later!
Came out perfect! Really tasty.
Sounds good can you have rice for your side dish
Sure!
I got boneless skinless not thinking ?. I hope they’ll still turn out okay. I’ll come update later!
What would be best served with this
Hi Carla,
Check out our wide array of side dish recipes for tasty ideas!
https://dinnerthendessert.com/category/dinner/sides/?swcfpc=1
Sabrina
I made this tonight for dinner. It was awesome. Both the hubs and myself loved it. I followed the directions and had enough sauce and the chicken fell off the bone. Will definitely save and make this again.
This was SO good. I added in 1/4 cup soy sauce and sliced carrots at the beginning. Absolutely delicious! Will add this one to our regulars.
Can I use Swerve brown sugar substitute?
I can’t see why not, but I’ve never tried it so I can’t be certain.
Can I do more thighs then recipe calls for with increase of ingredients in my slow cooker? Making for a family of 6 but would like 2 thighs per person.
If you stack in your slow cooker it will create a soggier mess. One of the important things is not crowding a slow cooker, so I’d probably suggest using 2 if you have 2 or baking it off in an oven instead.
how did it taste with the swerve sub?
Can I use drumsticks instead?
Sure, should turn out great!
I thought the chicken just tasted garlicy. The other flavours did not come through. So 3 stars. However, I ended up putting it in pasta sauce and it was amazing. I will make it for pasta in the future. So tender and add great flavour to my sauce. So that was 5 stars.
Do I need to thaw the frozen thighs?
Yes always add thawed and patted dry meat to a slow cooker or the extra liquid will flood the sauce in the slow cooker.
Hi Sabrina,
I made this tonight and it was delicious!!! My husband loved it. Cooked it as directed, just added a bit more garlic than called for, because well… you never have enough garlic. I basted the chicken just a few times with the juices and they browned up very nicely. I cooked the skin-on bone-in chicken thighs in my slow cooker on high for 4 1/2 hrs. Just to be sure. Turned out so tender!!! Thanks for sharing a great and very flavourful recipe! Will definitely make this again.
Used chicken breasts and it was so dry. Ending up dumping it out and having sandwiches
The recipe calls for chicken thighs – not chicken breasts. They are not the same cut of chicken. Chicken breasts tend to be dryer, to begin with. It stinks when your dinner doesn’t turn out as anticipated. However, I do not think giving this recipe one star was a fair rating when you used a different chicken cut. I am going to make this recipe on Tuesday. I would love to get this.
I agree should not give a 1 star rating when you didn’t use suggested chicken. White meat chicken is always dryer than dark meat.
I haven’t tried this particular recipe but am very familiar with cooking chix breasts as hubby doesn’t like thighs. I always cook on low for 4-6 hours or high maybe 2-1/2 depending on how thick the breasts are.
Im going to try this recipe within the next week or 2. It sounds delicious.
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).
This part in the recipe led me to believe you could just switch out the chicken cuts also. While the recipe itself may be fine, that should be clarified for beginners 🙁
Can the chicken breast be frozen or does it have to be thawed?
Mine didn’t brown like the picture. Can you help
I just put this together with boneless skinless chicken thighs. Does this matter?
Wondering if this will turn out dry without the skin on.
I want to do the same thing and can you tell me how it came out? Tips? Thanks
How did yours turn out? Im about to do it now ?
Just wondering instead of putting foil underneath a whole chicken whilst cooking this in slow cooker, can I put halved potatoes and onions ?
Thanks Casey
Do you use bone in chicken thighs? What about liquid in the slow cooker?
I use bone in thighs. You do not need to add any liquids…trust me! At first I was hesitant. The fat from the chicken will create juices. This is definitely one of our family favorites ! Delicious.
Can I use boneless chicken breast instead of thighs?
Grace
I do. I use a little bit of chicken broth since breasts can dry out easier. And I keep an eye on them around the 6-7 hr mark cause they cook faster being boneless
Thank you!
I tried this for the first time today.
So easy and so good!
Definitely add the red pepper flakes….yum!
We had it with rice, corn on the cob and sliced tomatoes fresh from our garden and we can’t stop talking about what a good meal it was.
Can you use boneless skinless chicken thighs for this ????