Irresistible Sweet and Savory Slow Cooker Garlic Chicken Recipe

Slow cooker garlic chicken offers a tantalizing blend of comfort and convenience for busy home cooks.

Imagine walking into a kitchen filled with rich, aromatic flavors that promise a delightful meal.

This recipe redefines ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience with minimal effort.

Tender meat infused with robust garlic notes creates a mouthwatering centerpiece for any meal.

Weeknight dinners become effortless when you rely on this foolproof cooking method that guarantees succulent results.

The combination of simple seasonings and low, steady heat results in an incredibly flavorful dish.

Complex flavors develop gradually, allowing each ingredient to contribute its unique essence to the final masterpiece.

You can want to dive right in and savor every delectable bite of this irresistible chicken creation.

Step-by-Step for Sweet and Savory Garlic Chicken

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

Ensure every inch of the chicken gets a beautiful seasoning coating.

Step 2: Infuse with Garlic Goodness

Take freshly minced garlic and spread it lovingly across the chicken thighs. Use your fingers or a spoon to massage the garlic deep into the meat, creating a flavor explosion that will make your taste buds dance.

Step 3: Arrange for Perfect Caramelization

Softly mix the chicken and garlic together, then carefully position the thighs skin side up. This magical placement helps create a crispy, golden-brown exterior that’s absolutely mouthwatering.

Step 4: Add Sweet Transformation

Dust the chicken with brown sugar, creating a glistening layer that will transform into a sticky, caramelized coating. The sugar works its magic, bringing out deep, rich flavors that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection

• Low setting: 8 hours
• High setting: 4 hours

The result? Tender, fall-apart chicken with a gorgeous glossy finish that’s packed with incredible flavor.

Pro Tips for This Slow Cooker Chicken Dish

• Massage Seasoning Deeply: Thoroughly rub salt and pepper into chicken thighs to ensure every bite is perfectly seasoned and flavorful.
• Layer Garlic Like a Pro: Use your fingers to press minced garlic directly into chicken skin, creating intense aromatic flavor that penetrates the meat.
• Optimize Skin Caramelization: Position chicken thighs skin-side up in the slow cooker to help achieve a beautifully golden and slightly crispy exterior.
• Balance Sweet and Savory: Distribute brown sugar evenly across chicken to create a delectable glaze that transforms ordinary chicken into a mouthwatering dish.
• Master Cooking Timing: Choose between low and slow (8 hours) or quick and efficient (4 hours) settings, ensuring chicken remains tender and juicy throughout cooking process.

Storage Tips for Garlic Chicken Leftovers

• Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, the chicken will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Transfer cooled chicken to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air and label with the date. Frozen chicken maintains best quality for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: Warm refrigerated chicken in the microwave at 50% power, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly. Alternatively, reheat in a covered skillet over medium-low heat until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring the meat stays moist and tender.

Pairing Suggestions for Garlic Chicken

• Pair with Buttery Chardonnay: The rich, creamy white wine complements the sweet and savory chicken, balancing the garlic's intensity and brown sugar's sweetness with its smooth oak undertones.
• Serve Alongside Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Creamy potatoes with roasted garlic echo the dish's flavor profile, creating a harmonious side that absorbs the chicken's delicious pan juices.
• Match with Crisp Green Apple Slaw: The tangy, fresh coleslaw cuts through the chicken's richness, providing a bright contrast with its crunchy texture and acidic notes that refresh the palate.
• Complement with Crusty Artisan Bread: Rustic bread becomes the perfect vehicle for soaking up the caramelized pan sauce, allowing diners to capture every last drop of the chicken's flavorful cooking liquid.

Flavor Twists for Sweet and Savory Garlic Chicken

• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Replace garlic with a blend of dried oregano, thyme, and rosemary for a Greek-inspired flavor profile. Swap brown sugar with honey and add lemon zest for brightness.
• Spicy Cajun Style: Mix Cajun seasoning with minced garlic for a kick. Incorporate paprika and cayenne pepper to create a bold, zesty chicken dish with a Southern Louisiana touch.
• Asian Inspired Glaze: Substitute brown sugar with soy sauce and add ginger, sesame oil, and a touch of sriracha. Garnish with green onions and toasted sesame seeds for an authentic Asian-inspired chicken recipe.
• Smoky Chipotle Version: Mix chipotle peppers in adobo sauce with garlic for a smoky, spicy flavor. Add a small amount of maple syrup instead of brown sugar to balance the heat and create a rich, complex taste.

FAQs for Sweet and Savory Garlic Chicken

• Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

While chicken thighs work best for this recipe due to their higher fat content and tenderness, you can substitute chicken breasts. Just be careful not to overcook them, as they tend to dry out more quickly in the slow cooker.

• How do I store leftover chicken?

Store the cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or in a pan with a little extra sauce to prevent drying out.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

The basic recipe is naturally gluten-free. However, always double-check your specific ingredients, especially the brown sugar, to ensure no gluten-containing additives are present.

• Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the chicken in the slow cooker insert the night before, refrigerate, and then start cooking in the morning. This makes for an easy, hands-off meal preparation.

What Makes Sweet and Savory Slow Cooker Garlic Chicken Amazing

• This recipe transforms simple chicken thighs into a mouthwatering meal with minimal preparation, blending sweet and savory notes that dance perfectly together.
• Slow cooker method lets you walk away while the chicken becomes incredibly tender, allowing busy home cooks to enjoy a delicious dinner without constant kitchen supervision.
• The combination of brown sugar and long cooking time creates a caramelized, sticky exterior that adds irresistible depth and richness to the chicken, making each bite a flavor explosion.
• The recipe works for weeknight dinners, meal prep, and casual gatherings, providing a crowd-pleasing dish that requires just a few simple ingredients and minimal culinary skills.

Ingredients for Garlic Chicken in the Slow Cooker

• Chicken Thighs: Bone-in and skin-on thighs offer rich flavor and stay moist during slow cooking. Dark meat provides more succulence compared to chicken breasts.

• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing the chicken's natural taste. Kosher salt provides better distribution and texture.
• Minced Garlic: Adds robust, aromatic flavor that penetrates the chicken deeply. Fresh garlic offers more intense taste than pre-minced versions.
• Brown Sugar: Creates a sweet and caramelized exterior with a sticky glaze. Helps balance the savory garlic notes.

• Slow Cooker: Perfect for tenderizing chicken and allowing flavors to meld together. Provides consistent, low-temperature cooking for juicy results.

Sweet And Savory Slow Cooker Garlic Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Garlic lovers unite with this mouthwatering slow cooker garlic chicken that blends tender meat and rich flavors. Packed with aromatic herbs and simple ingredients, you’ll savor each delicious bite of this comforting classic that promises to become a family favorite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 5 chicken thighs (skin on, bone-in)

Seasonings and Sweeteners:

• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Gently nestle chicken thighs into the slow cooker, creating an even layer that allows each piece to cook uniformly.
2. Season the chicken generously with Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, massaging the spices into the meat to ensure comprehensive flavor penetration.
3. Scatter finely chopped garlic across the chicken surface, using fingertips to distribute the aromatic pieces evenly and press them gently into the meat’s crevices.
4. Position the chicken thighs with skin facing upward, which will help create a golden, slightly crisp exterior during the slow cooking process.
5. Dust the entire chicken surface with brown sugar, allowing the crystals to melt and caramelize, creating a rich, glossy glaze that enhances the meat’s natural sweetness.
6. Secure the slow cooker lid and select your preferred cooking tempo: a leisurely 8-hour low-temperature cycle or a more rapid 4-hour high-temperature method.
7. At the conclusion of cooking, verify the chicken’s doneness by ensuring the meat is fork-tender and has reached a safe internal temperature, with juices running clear.
8. Let the chicken rest briefly before serving, allowing the succulent juices to redistribute and intensify the overall flavor profile.

Notes

• Elevate your weeknight dinner with this mouthwatering garlic chicken that practically melts in your mouth with minimal prep work.
• Kosher salt and black pepper are crucial for building a robust flavor foundation before adding the sweet and savory elements.
• Rubbing minced garlic directly into chicken skin creates an intense, aromatic flavor profile that penetrates deep into the meat.
• Brown sugar transforms ordinary chicken into a glossy, caramelized dish with a perfect balance of sweet and savory notes.
• Low and slow cooking ensures incredibly tender chicken that falls apart effortlessly, making it ideal for meal prep or family dinners.
• Skin-side-up placement guarantees crispy, golden-brown chicken skin with maximum flavor concentration.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 305
• Sugar: 15g
• Sodium: 200mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 90mg