Honey Mustard Slow Cooker Chicken with Root Vegetables
Tender chicken thighs simmered with roasted carrots and parsnips in a sweet-tangy honey mustard glaze, perfect for a weeknight meal with minimal effort. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 375 minutes pairs olive oil, large, diced onion, chicken broth for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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
- 4 bone-in, skin-on (about 2 lbs) chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 3 medium, peeled and sliced 1/2-inch thick carrots
- 2 medium, peeled and sliced 1/2-inch thick parsnips
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken thighs for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and edges crisp.
- Step 3: Transfer seared chicken to slow cooker, then add diced onion, sliced carrots, and parsnips around the chicken.
- Step 4: Whisk together 1 cup chicken broth, 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a bowl. Pour evenly over chicken and vegetables.
- Step 5: Add minced garlic to the sauce mixture, then cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours until chicken is fork-tender and vegetables are soft.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey Mustard Slow Cooker Chicken with Root Vegetables 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 with Root Vegetables?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Honey Mustard Slow Cooker Chicken with Root Vegetables?
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 with Root Vegetables 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 with Root Vegetables?
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
- ★★★★★
Simple and delicious.
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.