Hearty Slow Cooker Chicken Delight

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 6 hours
🍽 Serves: 6
★★★★★
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If you're looking for a comforting meal that practically cooks itself, this Hearty Slow Cooker Chicken Delight is your answer. With minimal prep and a slow cooker doing all the hard work, you get a savory, aromatic dish perfect for any cozy night in.

Ingredients for Hearty Slow Cooker Chicken Delight

Chicken thighs are the star here for their juicy, tender meat, especially when cooked slowly. We use them bone-in and skin-on for extra flavor. Onion and garlic add a foundational savory depth to the dish. Chicken broth and dry white wine create a rich, aromatic sauce that infuses the chicken and veggies. A touch of olive oil helps in searing the chicken to lock in flavor. Thyme and rosemary bring an earthy aroma, while salt and pepper enhance all the flavors. Carrots and celery add texture and subtle sweetness, and a bay leaf rounds out the dish with its fragrant, herbal note.

Tips & Tricks

  • For an even deeper flavor, marinate the chicken in the herbs and spices overnight before cooking.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the chicken once cooked and simmer the sauce in a pan to reduce it.
  • To save time, prep the veggies the night before and store them in the fridge.

Serving Suggestions

This dish pairs wonderfully with a side of creamy mashed potatoes or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce. A simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette adds a fresh contrast to the rich flavors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use boneless chicken thighs?
Yes, but bone-in will give you more flavor. Adjust cooking time as boneless may cook faster.
Is there a substitute for white wine?
You can replace it with more chicken broth or a splash of apple cider vinegar for acidity.
Can I add potatoes?
Absolutely! Just cut them into chunks and add them with the other vegetables.

Hearty Slow Cooker Chicken Delight Recipe Walkthrough

Start by heating your olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once it’s shimmering, lay in your chicken thighs, skin-side down. Let them sizzle undisturbed for about 3-4 minutes per side, developing a nice golden-brown crust. This step is key for flavor, so don’t rush it.

Transfer the seared chicken to your slow cooker. In the same skillet, toss in your chopped onions and minced garlic. Sauté them until the onions are translucent and fragrant, which should only take a couple of minutes. Scrape up those delicious brown bits stuck to the pan; they're flavor gold.

Next, pour in your chicken broth and dry white wine. Let it all simmer together for a few minutes to marry the flavors. Then, carefully pour this aromatic mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker.

Add in your thyme, rosemary, salt, pepper, sliced carrots, celery, and the bay leaf. Give it a gentle stir to ensure everything is well mixed. Cover the slow cooker and set it on low for 6-8 hours, or if you’re in a bit of a hurry, on high for 3-4 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when the chicken is tender and practically falling off the bone.

Before serving, remember to fish out the bay leaf and discard it. Serve the chicken with its rich sauce and tender veggies, and enjoy the comforting flavors of your labor.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Easy prep with a flavorful payoff.
  • Perfect for busy days—just set it and forget it.
  • Rich, savory sauce that beautifully complements tender chicken.
  • Nutritious ingredients make it a wholesome meal.
  • Customizable with your favorite herbs and vegetables.

Ingredients

4 lbs chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
1 large onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried rosemary
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 carrots, sliced
2 stalks celery, sliced
1 bay leaf

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sear chicken thighs on both sides until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side.
2. Transfer the chicken to the slow cooker. Add chopped onions and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until the onions are translucent.
3. Pour in chicken broth and white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the skillet. Bring to a simmer and then pour over the chicken in the slow cooker.
4. Add thyme, rosemary, salt, pepper, carrots, celery, and bay leaf to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
5. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until chicken is tender and cooked through.
6. Remove bay leaf and serve the chicken with vegetables and sauce from the slow cooker.

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