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A delicious Crockpot Chicken meal with mixed vegetables.

Flavor-Explosion Crockpot Chicken

This Flavor-Explosion Crockpot Chicken recipe delivers tender, shredded chicken coated in a rich, savory sauce, perfect for an easy weeknight meal.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 20 minutes
Servings 6 people
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • Paper towels
  • Large skillet
  • Slow cooker
  • Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Forks

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup low sodium chicken broth, divided
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar optional
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tbsp and 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (or soy sauce/miso paste)

For Thickening and Garnish

  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 3 tbsp cold water
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (or cilantro)

Instructions
 

Cooking Steps

  • Pat the chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Sear in olive oil for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown, then transfer to a slow cooker.
  • Sauté the chopped onion in the same skillet until softened, then add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  • Pour 1/4 cup of chicken broth into the skillet to deglaze, then add this mixture to the slow cooker.
  • Whisk together the remaining 3/4 cup chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, thyme, bay leaf, and Worcestershire sauce, then pour over the chicken in the slow cooker.
  • Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours (or 3-4 hours on HIGH) until the chicken is tender and shreds easily.
  • Remove the chicken and set aside. Whisk cornstarch and cold water to form a slurry, then stir into the hot liquid in the slow cooker.
  • Cover and cook on HIGH for 15-20 minutes until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
  • Shred the cooked chicken with two forks, then return it to the thickened sauce and stir to coat.
  • Stir in fresh chopped parsley or cilantro just before serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can marinate the chicken in the spices for 30 minutes before searing. Adjust the amount of Worcestershire sauce to your preference. This dish pairs well with rice, mashed potatoes, or a simple green salad.