Slow-Cooker Buttermilk Chicken with Honey-Glazed Sweet Potatoes
Fall-off-the-bone tender chicken with sweet, caramelized potatoes—simmered low and slow for effortless flavor. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 440 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, buttermilk, honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 610 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 lbs bone-in chicken thighs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1.5 lbs sweet potatoes
- 1 medium onion
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk buttermilk, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper. Add chicken thighs, ensuring they're fully submerged; marinate 30 minutes at room temperature.
- Step 2: Peel and dice sweet potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Thinly slice onion and mince garlic. Place potatoes, onion, and garlic in slow cooker.
- Step 3: Add thyme, honey, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper to slow cooker; stir to combine.
- Step 4: Place marinated chicken on top of vegetables. Cook on LOW for 6-7 hours until chicken is tender and potatoes are caramelized at edges.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooker Buttermilk Chicken with Honey-Glazed Sweet Potatoes take to make?
Total time is about 440 minutes (20 min prep + 420 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-Cooker Buttermilk Chicken with Honey-Glazed Sweet Potatoes?
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 bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooker Buttermilk Chicken with Honey-Glazed Sweet Potatoes?
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-Cooker Buttermilk Chicken with Honey-Glazed Sweet Potatoes 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-Cooker Buttermilk Chicken with Honey-Glazed Sweet Potatoes?
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
- ★★★★★
I've tried many slow cooker recipes and this is hands down the best.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★☆☆☆
Didn't come together the way I expected. Flavors were flat.
