Slow-Cooker Chicken Thighs

Total Time

Prep: 15 min. Cook: 4 hours

Makes

8 servings

Updated: Oct. 11, 2023
Here’s a real sensation: Asian-style slow-cooker chicken thighs and rice. They always go over big with my family. —Gigi Miller, Stoughton, Wisconsin

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup cider vinegar
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 4 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 4 teaspoons cold water
  • Hot cooked rice, optional

Directions

  1. Place chicken in a 4- or 5-qt. slow cooker. In a small bowl, mix sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger and pepper; pour over chicken. Cook, covered, on low 4-5 hours or until chicken is tender.
  2. Remove chicken to a serving platter; keep warm. Transfer cooking juices to a small saucepan; skim fat. Bring cooking juices to a boil. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and cold water until smooth; stir into cooking juices. Return to a boil; cook and stir 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Serve with chicken and, if desired, rice.
Slow-Cooker Chicken Thighs Tips

Can you use chicken breast instead of thighs?

If you have chicken breast on hand instead of thighs, feel free to substitute them in this recipe. Make sure to use a digital thermometer to check when the chicken is cooked (160°F) because they might take longer than thighs.

Is it OK to put raw chicken in a slow cooker?

No worries! Although there are mistakes you can make with raw chicken, it is perfectly OK to put raw chicken in a slow cooker. Just make sure your chicken is 160°F when the timer goes off, and you’re good to go!

How do you thicken teriyaki sauce without cornstarch?

If you don't have cornstarch on hand, you can thicken teriyaki sauce without it. A thickener flour works great here! A good rule of thumb is to substitute 2 tablespoons of flour for every 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Other alternatives are arrowroot powder, tapioca or potato starch, or rice flour.

What can you serve with slow-cooker chicken thighs?

This saucy chicken dish is begging for something starchy on the side to soak up all the tasty sweet-sour soy mixture. Try serving with plain rice or a yummy rice side dish recipe that has complimentary flavors. You could also serve this slow-cooker chicken recipe with couscous, quinoa or rice noodles.

How should you store leftover slow-cooker chicken thighs?

Store leftover slow-cooker chicken thighs in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator or freeze up to 3 months.

—Maggie Knoebel, Taste of Home Associate Recipe Editor/Tester and Peggy Woodward, Taste of Home Senior Food Editor

Nutrition Facts

5 ounces cooked chicken with 1/3 cup sauce: 342 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 113mg cholesterol, 958mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 0 fiber), 33g protein.