Slow-Cooked Honey-Mustard Chicken Thighs with Carrots

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken thighs simmered in a sweet-tangy honey-mustard glaze with roasted carrots until caramelized and tender. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 255 minutes pairs skin-on chicken thighs, peeled and halved carrots, honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 390 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 240 min Serves 4 American cuisine 390 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry and season with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken skin-side down for 5-6 minutes until golden brown; flip and cook 2 minutes more.
  2. Step 2: Transfer chicken to a slow cooker, arranging carrots around it. Whisk together honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, dried thyme, and chicken broth; pour over chicken.
  3. Step 3: Cook on low for 4-5 hours until chicken is fork-tender and carrots are soft. Remove chicken, glaze vegetables, and serve with pan juices.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Honey-Mustard Chicken Thighs with Carrots 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 Honey-Mustard Chicken Thighs with Carrots?

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 skin-on chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Honey-Mustard Chicken Thighs with Carrots?

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 Honey-Mustard Chicken Thighs with Carrots 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 Slow-Cooked Honey-Mustard Chicken Thighs with Carrots?

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.

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