30 Easy and Delicious Crockpot Chicken Thigh Recipes
I use my Crockpot all year round but it really earns its place in the kitchen on those busy weekdays when nobody’s home at the same time and dinner needs to work around everything else going on.
Chicken thighs are one of my favorite things to cook in the slow cooker because they stay tender so much better than chicken breast. Chicken breast has a tendency to dry out in the crockpot. Thighs are usually cheaper too, which definitely helps when you’re feeding a family of five like I am and trying to keep grocery costs under control.
This list has a mix of easy weeknight dinners, comforting meals for colder days, and a few recipes that feel a little different from the usual pasta bake or jar sauce routine. There’s a bit of everything here, from sticky sweet chicken thighs to creamy comfort food and a few spicier dinners too. Quite a few of these have become regulars in my meal plans because they’re easy and everyone actually eats them without complaining.
I also have some really tasty Crockpot Chicken Breast recipes to try.
1. Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
Image credit: retro-vixen
This honey garlic chicken is one of those slow cooker dinners I end up making on repeat because it’s easy, uses simple ingredients, and everyone eats it without much fuss. The sauce turns sticky, sweet, and garlicky as it cooks, and it’s really good served over rice or noodles with some broccoli on the side. We also like to eat leftovers the next day served on warm buttery bread rolls.
2. Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie
Image credit: Bakingbeauty
Is there anything more comforting than a pot pie? I honestly don’t think there is. I love that this one cooks slowly in the crockpot so you can enjoy a pie even on the busiest of days.
3. Crockpot BBQ Chicken Thighs
Image credit: sugarandsnappeas
This slow cooker BBQ chicken is perfect for busy weeks because it takes hardly any effort but still tastes like proper comfort food. The quick broil at the end makes the sauce sticky and caramelized around the edges, and it’s really good served in bread rolls with coleslaw on the side.
4. Crockpot Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs with Rice
I love recipes like this on busy evenings because the chicken and rice cook together in one pot, which means less washing up afterwards. If I can cut down on washing up then you’d best believe I will! The lemon and garlic keep it tasting fresh without needing loads of ingredients, and the rice soaks up all the flavor while the chicken stays really tender in the slow cooker.
GET THE RECIPE5. Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken Thighs
Image credit: themagicalslowcooker
Teriyaki chicken is one of those easy dinners that’s handy to keep in the meal rotation because everybody seems happy to eat it, even the kids. The sauce turns sweet, sticky, and full of flavor as it cooks, and it’s really good served over rice with broccoli or green beans on the side.
6. Crockpot Korean Chicken & Kimchi Bowls
Image credit: rachelphipps
If you like slow cooker dinners with a bit more spice and crunch, these Korean chicken and kimchi bowls are such a good one to try. The chicken turns really tender while the kimchi gives it a nice hit of spice, and it all works really well served over rice with a few fresh toppings on top. Just look at those colors!
7. Crockpot Italian Chicken Thighs
This is the kind of slow cooker dinner that’s handy when you’ve got a pack of chicken pieces to use up and want something comforting without loads of effort. The sauce turns beautifully rich and tomatoey as it cooks, and I usually serve it with pasta and plenty of crusty bread for mopping up the sauce.
GET THE RECIPE8. Crockpot Butter Chicken
Image credit: anediblemosaic
This slow cooker butter chicken is creamy, comforting, and full of warm curry flavors. Serve it with fluffy rice and naan for an easy dinner. It’s one of those meals that feels like more effort than it actually is.
9. Crockpot Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs
Image credit: fitasamamabear
Honey and mustard is one of my favorite flavor combos. It’s so simple but tastes so good! The sauce cooks down into a thick, rich glaze that works really well with rice, potatoes, or even roasted vegetables.
10. Crockpot Coconut Curry Chicken Thighs
Image credit: acedarspoon
I really like this one for colder days when we want something a bit more comforting. The coconut milk makes the sauce creamy while the curry spices give it loads of flavor. Serve with rice and warm naan on the side.
11. Crockpot Salsa Chicken Thighs
Image credit: mashupmom
This salsa chicken is one of those really handy slow cooker meals for busy days because you can pretty much throw everything in and leave it alone. You could serve it in tacos, over rice, or piled onto baked potatoes with cheese and sour cream.
12. Crockpot Balsamic Chicken Thighs
Image credit: thedefaultcook
This balsamic chicken is one of those slow cooker meals that works really well when you want something hearty without loads of prep. The sauce cooks down into a rich glaze while the mushrooms and onions soften right down as everything cooks together. You could serve this one with mashed potatoes or buttered noodles to soak up all the sauce.
GET THE RECIPE13. Crockpot Chicken Thigh Bolognese
Image credit: momfoodie
I love the idea of cooking up a bolognese with chicken instead of beef. It’s a much leaner option and cooking the chicken thighs in the crockpot ensures they’re juicy and tender.
14. Crockpot Apricot Chicken Thighs
Image Credit: lemonsandzest
The apricot sauce on this chicken turns sweet, sticky, and full of flavor as it cooks, and it works really well with the tender chicken thighs. I would serve this one with rice or roasted potatoes and whatever vegetables we’ve got in the fridge that need using up.
15. Crockpot Sweet Potato & Chicken Stew
Image credit: thelazyslowcooker
I love cooking with sweet potato so this recipe is right up my street. This is one of those cozy slow cooker meals that’s especially nice on colder days. The sweet potatoes make it really hearty and filling, and it’s the kind of dinner that’s even better with some crusty bread on the side for dipping into the broth.
16. Crockpot Mojo Pulled Chicken (Serves 50!)
Image Credit: cookingforanarmy
If you need an easy slow cooker recipe for feeding an army, this mojo pulled chicken is such a handy one to have. The chicken turns really tender as it cooks, and it works so well piled into bread rolls, wraps, rice bowls, or tacos depending on what you’re serving alongside it.
17. Crockpot Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
Image Credit: thedefaultcook
Lemon pepper chicken is one of those really easy slow cooker dinners that’s handy to keep in the meal plans because it goes with pretty much anything. The lemon keeps it tasting fresh while the chicken stays nice and tender in the slow cooker, and it’s really good with rice, potatoes, or a quick salad on the side.
18. Crockpot Sprite Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs
Image credit: cozyfamilykitchen
This has that sticky sweet takeaway-style flavor that always goes down well in our house. I can’t deny we love a takeout but I also love to save money! The Sprite helps make the sauce glossy and slightly caramelized as it cooks, and it works really well with rice or noodles and a quick vegetable on the side.
GET THE RECIPE19. Crockpot Rosemary Lemon Chicken Thighs
Image credit: mommyevolution
Rosemary and lemon work so well together in this recipe and make the chicken taste really fresh without needing loads of ingredients. Perfect if you’re cooking on a budget. This recipe goes well with roasted potatoes or rice and a simple vegetable on the side for an easy dinner that doesn’t take much effort at all.
20. Crockpot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs
Image credit: thermocooking
On evenings when you want something a bit more comforting, this creamy garlic parmesan chicken always goes down well. The sauce turns rich and creamy while the chicken stays really tender in the slow cooker. You can have this one with pasta, mashed potatoes, or thick slices of bread to soak up the sauce.
If you love creamy garlic parmesan recipes, make sure you take a look at my Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Pork Chops too.
21. Crockpot Orange Chicken
Image Credit: recipesfromapantry
Orange chicken is one of those dinners that feels a bit like a takeaway night at home without spending loads of money. The sauce turns sweet and sticky as it cooks, and it’s really good served over rice with broccoli or sugar snap peas on the side.
22. Crockpot Thai Peanut Chicken Thighs
Image credit: anediblemosaic
If you like creamy slow cooker dinners with plenty of flavor, this Thai peanut chicken is a really good one to try. The peanut sauce is rich and comforting without feeling too heavy, and it works really well served over rice or noodles with a squeeze of fresh lime on top.
23. Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Ramen
Image credit: thelazyslowcooker
This is one of those dinners that’s great for days when everyone wants something warm and filling but you can’t be bothered standing over the stove. The buffalo sauce gives it a nice bit of heat, and the noodles make it feel a lot more comforting than a regular chicken dinner.
24. Crockpot Chicken Provencal
Image credit: flavorfuleats
The sauce in this one has such a lovely rich flavor from the tomatoes, garlic, and herbs, and it makes the chicken really tender as it cooks. I would serve it with crusty bread, potatoes, or rice for an easy dinner that feels a little more special without much extra effort.
25. Crockpot Honey Bourbon Chicken Thighs
Image credit: retro-vixen
The sauce on this one turns thick, sticky, and slightly sweet as it cooks, which makes it really good served over rice or mashed potatoes. The bourbon adds a deeper flavor to the sauce without overpowering everything else, and the quick sear at the start helps keep the chicken nice and juicy.
26. Crockpot Italian Pepperoncini Chicken
Image credit: Ericasrecipes
The pepperoncini peppers give this chicken loads of flavor without making it too spicy, and the slow cooker makes the chicken really tender. This recipe works well served with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to soak up all the juices.
27. Crockpot Taco Chicken Thighs
Image Credit: foodess
Taco night is always easier when the slow cooker does most of the work for you. The chicken turns really tender as it cooks, and there are loads of ways to serve it afterwards. We usually use it for tacos one night and then use the leftovers in wraps or quesadillas the next day.
28. Crockpot Chicken Alfredo
Image Credit: foodess
Chicken Alfredo is one of those comfort food dinners that everybody seems excited about when it’s on the meal plan. Alfredo sauce is actually one of my favorite sauces so this recipe is perfect for me. Cooking this in slow cooker keeps the chicken really tender while the creamy sauce works perfectly with pasta and plenty of garlic bread on the side.
29. Crockpot BBQ Chicken
Image credit: foodess
BBQ chicken is one of those dinners that everybody seems happy to eat without much complaining. The sauce is smoky, slightly sweet, and really good piled into bread rolls with coleslaw on top. You can also use the leftovers for baked potatoes or quick lunches the next day.
30. Crockpot Chicken Tikka Masala
Image credit: rachelphipps
Chicken tikka is one of my favorite “curries” to cook at home. This version feels like a real treat without needing loads of effort which is just what I need during the week. The sauce is creamy, rich, and full of warm spices, and it’s really good served with fluffy rice and warm naan for mopping up every last bit.
Hopefully this list gives you a few new ideas for your slow cooker meal plans. There’s a good mix here of easy weeknight dinners, comforting family meals, and a few recipes that feel a bit different from the usual routine. I love how little prep most of these need, especially on those days when dinner has to fit around everything else going on. As always, let me know which recipes you try and what you think!
these recipes are for 4 servings what about 12 servings do i just use same amount times 3 ?
I made the Crockpot BBQ chicken thighs. Quick, easy and delicious recipes are my FAVORITE recipes and this one has all three of those components. We all loved this recipe. Serve it up with a salad like coleslaw, pasta salad or potato salad and maybe some hot buttered corn.
I’m so glad you liked it!