Hearty Slow Cooked Chicken Delight

Name: Hearty Slow Cooked Chicken Delight
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 8 h
Total time: 8 h 15 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 4 lbs chicken thighs; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 large onion, chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup chicken broth; 1/2 cup white wine; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1 tsp dried thyme; 1 tsp dried rosemary; 1 bay leaf; Salt and pepper to taste

🕒 Prep: 15 min

🔥 Cook: 8 hours

🍽 Serves: 6

★★★★★

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If you're looking for a meal that's both comforting and impressively flavorful, this Hearty Slow Cooked Chicken Delight is a winner. It's the kind of recipe that fills your home with enticing aromas and rewards your patience with tender, fall-off-the-bone chicken. Perfect for a cozy dinner at home!

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Ingredients for Hearty Slow Cooked Chicken Delight

Chicken thighs are the star of this dish, offering a juicy and flavorful base that becomes incredibly tender with slow cooking. Olive oil helps in browning the chicken, adding a rich, savory depth. Onion and garlic provide a fragrant, aromatic base that enhances the entire dish. The combination of chicken broth and white wine creates a luscious, slightly tangy cooking liquid. Tomato paste thickens the sauce and adds a touch of sweetness and acidity. Dried thyme and rosemary infuse the dish with earthy, herby notes, while a bay leaf rounds out the flavor profile. Finally, adjust with salt and pepper to taste.

Tips & Tricks

Sear the chicken in batches if your skillet is small. Overcrowding will steam rather than brown it.
If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the chicken at the end and simmer the liquid on the stove to reduce it.
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a hint of heat.

Serving Suggestions

This dish pairs beautifully with a side of creamy mashed potatoes or a warm, crusty bread to soak up the sauce. For a lighter option, serve it over a bed of steamed rice or quinoa. A fresh green salad or roasted vegetables would round out the meal nicely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?: Yes, but keep in mind that breasts may cook faster and might not be as juicy.
Is there a substitute for white wine?: You can use more chicken broth or a splash of apple cider vinegar for acidity.
Can I add vegetables to the slow cooker?: Absolutely! Carrots, potatoes, or mushrooms would be great additions.

Hearty Slow Cooked Chicken Delight Recipe Walkthrough

Start by heating your olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. You want it hot enough to sear, but not so hot that it smokes. Once the oil is shimmering, place your chicken thighs in, skin-side down, and let them brown. This should take about 5 minutes per side. You're looking for a nice, golden crust — this will add flavor and help lock in juices.

Transfer the browned chicken directly to your slow cooker. Now, in the same skillet, reduce the heat slightly and toss in the chopped onion and minced garlic. Stir them around until they're soft and fragrant, which should take about two minutes.

Next, pour in the chicken broth and white wine, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any tasty bits stuck to the bottom of the skillet. Stir in the tomato paste, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf, along with a good pinch of salt and pepper. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer to meld the flavors.

Carefully pour the aromatic liquid over the chicken in the slow cooker. It should just cover the chicken. Set the slow cooker to low and let it work its magic for 6 to 8 hours. You'll know it's ready when the chicken is tender and easily pulls apart.

Before serving, don't forget to fish out the bay leaf. It's done its job and isn't meant to be eaten.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Minimal prep time with maximum flavor payoff.
The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting — set it and forget it.
Affordable ingredients that are easy to find.
Versatile enough to please the whole family, yet elegant enough for guests.

Ingredients

4 lbs chicken thighs

1 tbsp olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup chicken broth

1/2 cup white wine

2 tbsp tomato paste

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp dried rosemary

1 bay leaf

Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown chicken thighs on both sides.

2. Transfer chicken to the slow cooker. In the same skillet, sauté onions and garlic until fragrant.

3. Pour in chicken broth and white wine, stir in tomato paste, thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.

4. Bring to a simmer, then pour over the chicken in the slow cooker.

5. Set the slow cooker on low and cook for 6-8 hours or until chicken is tender.

6. Remove bay leaf before serving.

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