Easy 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
Lay raw chicken thighs right into the slow cooker with just a handful of simple pantry ingredients, and let your crock pot do all the work. This easy slow cooker chicken thighs recipe is the definition of comfort food rich, savory, and incredibly tender with almost no prep required.
Slow cooking allows the chicken thighs to become fall-apart tender while the onions melt into a flavorful sauce that’s perfect for spooning over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles. It’s budget-friendly, beginner-friendly, and guaranteed to please the whole family.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs Recipe:
Only 4 ingredients simple, affordable, and pantry-friendly
Minimal prep just layer, season, and walk away
Juicy, tender chicken every time slow cooking locks in moisture
Perfect for busy families ideal for school nights and meal prep
Comfort food classic cozy, filling, and deeply satisfying
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
2 pounds bone-in, skinless chicken thighs (about 4–6 thighs)
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 packet (about 1 ounce) dry onion soup mix or chicken seasoning blend
Directions:
Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray or a small amount of oil to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Spread the sliced onions evenly across the bottom of the slow cooker. This creates a flavorful base and keeps the chicken moist as it cooks.
Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Sprinkle the onion soup mix or seasoning blend evenly over all sides, pressing gently so it sticks.
Place the seasoned chicken thighs on top of the onions in a single layer. Pour the chicken broth around the sides avoid pouring directly over the chicken so the seasoning stays in place.
Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours until the chicken is fork-tender and easily pulls away from the bone. For a quicker option, cook on HIGH for 3–4 hours, though low and slow delivers the best texture.
Taste the cooking juices and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve the chicken hot, spooning plenty of the soft onions and savory sauce over the top.
Serving Ideas:
This crock pot chicken thighs dinner is delicious served over:
Creamy mashed potatoes
Buttered egg noodles
Steamed white or brown rice
Add a simple green side like roasted green beans, steamed broccoli, or a crisp side salad to balance the richness. Don’t forget warm dinner rolls or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful juices.
Tips & Variations:
For picky eaters, use a mild seasoning blend and slice onions very thin so they melt into the sauce.
For a creamier finish, stir in ½ cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt at the end (set slow cooker to WARM).
Add baby potatoes or carrot chunks for a complete one-pot meal.
Using boneless thighs? Check for doneness around 4–5 hours on LOW.
