Honey-Mustard Slow-Cooker Chicken Thighs
Tender chicken thighs simmered in a sweet-tangy honey-mustard glaze until fall-off-the-bone tender, perfect for effortless weeknight dinners. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 375 minutes pairs pounds chicken thighs, tablespoons honey, tablespoons Dijon mustard for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 540 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken thighs
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then season evenly with 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 1 teaspoon onion powder.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, and 1/2 cup chicken broth until smooth; pour over chicken in slow cooker.
- Step 3: Place 2 fresh thyme sprigs on top, cover, and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours until chicken is fork-tender and sauce has thickened slightly.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Mustard Slow-Cooker Chicken Thighs take to make?
Total time is about 375 minutes (15 min prep + 360 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Honey-Mustard Slow-Cooker Chicken Thighs?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pounds chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Honey-Mustard Slow-Cooker Chicken Thighs?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Honey-Mustard Slow-Cooker Chicken Thighs for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Honey-Mustard Slow-Cooker Chicken Thighs?
American slow cooker like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
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