Slow-Cooked Garlic-Herb Chicken Thighs
Tender chicken thighs simmered in a rich garlic-herb broth with mushrooms and thyme. This french-inspired slow cooker (high-protein) ready in about 640 minutes pairs chicken thighs, unsalted butter, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 510 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 12 oz skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
- 8 oz sliced cremini mushrooms
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides with 1/2 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Melt 2 tbsp butter in a slow cooker on low.
- Step 2: Add chicken thighs to slow cooker, skin-side up. Scatter 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp chopped thyme over chicken. Cook on low for 6 hours until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internally.
- Step 3: Remove chicken and set aside. Add 8 oz sliced cremini mushrooms and 1 cup chicken broth to the slow cooker. Cook on high for 30 minutes until mushrooms soften. Stir in 1/4 cup heavy cream and simmer until sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Garlic-Herb Chicken Thighs take to make?
Total time is about 640 minutes (10 min prep + 630 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 Garlic-Herb 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 chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Garlic-Herb 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 Slow-Cooked Garlic-Herb Chicken Thighs for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Garlic-Herb Chicken Thighs high-protein?
Yes — this recipe is tagged high-protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The garlic and herb flavors were perfect, and the chicken was so tender it fell off the bone. My husband and I devoured it with mashed potatoes!
- ★★★★★
This recipe is a game-changer for busy weeknights. The slow cooker did all the work and the flavor was outstanding.
- ★★★★☆
The recipe said 6 hours, but my chicken wasn't tender until 8 hours. Flavor was great though.
