Slow-Cooked Caramelized Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs with Mushrooms
A rich, hands-off keto dinner featuring juicy chicken thighs slow-cooked in garlic butter and mushrooms until tender and flavorful, with minimal carbs and maximum satisfaction. This american-inspired slow cooker (keto, low-carb) ready in about 255 minutes pairs chicken thighs, unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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
- 1.5 lbs chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 6, minced garlic cloves
- 8 oz, sliced cremini mushrooms
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 1.5 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs dry with paper towels; season evenly with 1/2 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a slow cooker on high until melted, then sear chicken skin-side down for 3 minutes until golden brown, flipping once to sear the other side.
- Step 3: Add 6 minced garlic cloves and 8 oz sliced cremini mushrooms to the slow cooker, stirring to coat in butter; cook on high for 1 minute until garlic is fragrant.
- Step 4: Pour in 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth and add 1 tsp dried thyme; secure lid and cook on low for 4 hours until chicken reaches 165°F and mushrooms are tender.
- Step 5: Remove chicken thighs, then reduce sauce on high for 10 minutes until thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon, stirring occasionally.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Caramelized Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs with Mushrooms take to make?
Total time is about 255 minutes (15 min prep + 240 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 Slow-Cooked Caramelized Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs with Mushrooms?
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 chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Caramelized Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs with Mushrooms?
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 Slow-Cooked Caramelized Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs with Mushrooms 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.
Is Slow-Cooked Caramelized Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs with Mushrooms keto?
Yes — this recipe is tagged keto, low-carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
- ★★☆☆☆
Didn't come together the way I expected. Flavors were flat.
