Slow-cooked chicken thighs garnished with herbs in a ceramic dish

Healthy Slow-Cooked Chicken Thighs: Tender, Flavorful, and Nutritious

Name: Healthy Slow-Cooked Chicken Thighs: Tender, Flavorful, and Nutritious
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 4 h 15 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 piece Chicken thighs (skinless, bone-in) - choose fresh, pinkish color and firm texture; 1 cup Low sodium chicken broth - opt for organic or homemade if possible; 4 piece Garlic cloves - fresh, firm, and free from sprouting; 1 piece Onion - medium, firm with dry skin; 2 piece Carrots - fresh and firm; 2 piece Celery stalks - fresh with crisp texture; 1 tbsp Olive oil (extra virgin preferred); 1 tsp Dried thyme; 1 tsp Dried rosemary crushed; 1 tsp Salt; 0.5 tsp Black pepper freshly ground

Home Page / Slow Cooker Recipes / Slow Cooking Chicken Recipes

easy

04 hour

Nutritional value per serving

Calories350kcal

Carbs5gram

Fat20gram

Protein28gram

Ingredients

Quantity

Chicken thighs (skinless, bone-in) - choose fresh, pinkish color and firm texture4 piece
Low sodium chicken broth - opt for organic or homemade if possible1 cup
Garlic cloves - fresh, firm, and free from sprouting4 piece
Onion - medium, firm with dry skin1 piece
Carrots - fresh and firm2 piece
Celery stalks - fresh with crisp texture2 piece
Olive oil (extra virgin preferred)1 tbsp
Dried thyme1 tsp
Dried rosemary crushed1 tsp
Salt1 tsp
Black pepper freshly ground0.5 tsp

This slow-cooked chicken thigh recipe delivers moist, tender, and flavorful chicken that's healthy and easy to prepare. Using simple, common ingredients and a slow cooker, you'll create a delicious meal with minimal effort. The chicken thighs are cooked safely at low temperatures for hours, ensuring they reach a safe internal temperature of 75°C (165°F) to prevent foodborne illness. Total approximate cost of ingredients is around $10 USD / €9 / £8 / ₹800. Each serving contains about 350 kcal. This recipe suits a healthy eating lifestyle focusing on lean protein and moderate fats. Complexity is easy, and the active cooking time is minimal, perfect for busy home cooks.

Preparation instructions

Prepare the vegetables

1Wash, peel (if needed), and chop the carrots and celery into bite-size pieces. Peel and thinly slice the onion. Peel and finely chop the garlic cloves. This prep will enhance the flavor and nutrition.

Brown the chicken thighs

2Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add chicken thighs skin side down and brown each side for about 3 minutes until golden. Browning adds flavor but is optional. Place browned chicken in the slow cooker.

Add vegetables and seasonings

3Scatter chopped carrots, celery, onion, and garlic around and on top of the chicken in the slow cooker. Sprinkle dried thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper evenly.

Pour in broth and start slow cooking

4Carefully pour low sodium chicken broth over the chicken and vegetables in the slow cooker. Cover with the lid and cook on LOW setting for 6 to 7 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours. Slow cooking tenderizes the meat and blends flavors well.

Check internal temperature for safety

5Use a food thermometer to confirm chicken thighs have reached a minimum internal temperature of 75°C (165°F) at the thickest part, avoiding bone contact, to guarantee safe consumption.

Serve and enjoy

6Once cooked, carefully remove chicken and vegetables with a slotted spoon. Serve hot with your choice of sides like steamed rice or salad. This meal provides a comforting and nutritious option.

Cooking Tips

1Use bone-in, skinless thighs for tenderness and healthier fat content over skin-on options.

2If you don't have a slow cooker, cook in an oven-safe pot covered at 150°C (300°F) for 1.5 to 2 hours.

3Avoid cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards for raw chicken and vegetables.

4Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after cooking to redistribute juices.

Equipment Needed

Slow cooker or Crockpot
Large frying pan (for browning)
Sharp knife
Cutting board
Food thermometer
Measuring spoons and cups

Shopping List

[ ] Chicken thighs (4 pieces) — choose fresh, firm thighs with pink color; avoid any discoloration or bad smell. Approximate cost: $5
[ ] Low sodium chicken broth (1 cup) — look for low sodium or make your own for better control. Approximate cost: $1.50
[ ] Garlic cloves (4 pieces) — fresh and firm cloves without sprouts. Approximate cost: $0.50
[ ] Onion (1 medium) — choose firm, unblemished onions. Approximate cost: $0.50
[ ] Carrots (2 pieces) — firm, bright orange carrots. Approximate cost: $0.60
[ ] Celery stalks (2 pieces) — crisp, green stalks without wilting. Approximate cost: $0.60
[ ] Olive oil (1 tbsp) — extra virgin preferred for health benefits. Approximate cost: $0.80
[ ] Dried thyme (1 tsp) and rosemary (1 tsp) — check freshness in spice aisle. Approximate cost: $1
[ ] Salt and black pepper — basics usually on hand

Total approximate cost: $10

FAQ

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, but chicken breasts cook faster and can dry out. Adjust the cooking time to about 3-4 hours on low and check the internal temperature.

Is it necessary to brown the chicken first?

Browning adds flavor and color, but you can skip it to save time. The slow cooker will still cook the chicken thoroughly.

How do I know when chicken is fully cooked?

Use a food thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches at least 75°C (165°F) in the thickest part without touching bone. Proper temperature ensures safety.