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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Gently nestle chicken thighs into the slow cooker, creating an even layer that allows each piece to cook uniformly.
- Season the chicken generously with Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, massaging the spices into the meat to ensure comprehensive flavor penetration.
- 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.
- Position the chicken thighs with skin facing upward, which will help create a golden, slightly crisp exterior during the slow cooking process.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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