Description
Hearty Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs promise pure comfort with minimal effort. Rich herb-infused chicken melts off the bone, delivering a satisfying meal that welcomes hungry diners around the family table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 6 bone-in or boneless chicken thighs (skin on or skinless)
Seasonings and Sauces:
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons Sriracha
- 2 teaspoons freshly minced ginger
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Aromatics and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of 1 lime
- Cooked rice, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat a large skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat, creating a sizzling surface for searing. Generously season chicken thighs with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring even coverage.
- Carefully place seasoned chicken thighs into the hot skillet, creating a golden-brown crust for approximately 3-4 minutes on each side. The goal is to develop a rich, caramelized exterior that locks in flavor.
- Transfer beautifully seared chicken thighs to the slow cooker, preparing for the next flavor-building stage.
- In a mixing bowl, combine soy sauce, ketchup, honey, minced garlic, grated fresh ginger, Sriracha sauce, and fresh lime juice. Whisk vigorously until the honey completely dissolves, creating a harmonious, glossy sauce.
- Lavishly pour the prepared sauce over the chicken thighs in the slow cooker, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated and swimming in the flavorful liquid.
- Cover the slow cooker and set to low temperature for 5-6 hours (or high temperature for approximately 2 hours), allowing the chicken to become incredibly tender and fully cooked.
- Once cooking is complete, verify the chicken’s doneness by ensuring it is no longer pink in the center and has reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Plate the succulent chicken over steamed rice, generously spooning additional cooking sauce for extra moisture and flavor.
- Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and a zesty lime wedge for a bright, fresh finish that elevates the dish’s complexity.
Notes
- Elevate weeknight dinners with minimal prep and maximum flavor in this transformative slow cooker experience.
- Searing chicken thighs beforehand unlocks deep, caramelized notes that infuse every succulent bite.
- Honey and soy sauce create a glossy, complex coating that balances sweetness with umami-rich depth.
- Low and slow cooking guarantees impossibly tender meat that practically falls apart with each forkful.
- Customizable heat levels let you dial up or tone down the sriracha kick to match your personal spice preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 423 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 767 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg