Slow Cooker Angel Chicken
Slow Cooker Angel Chicken offers melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and rich flavor through effortless slow cooking. Featuring bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs simmered with garlic, onions, fresh herbs, and a bright lemon touch, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions. The slow cooker infuses deep, juicy flavors that make every bite comforting and elegant.
- Author: Judy
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 6 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken
- 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
Aromatics & Herbs
- 3–4 garlic cloves, whole
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
Liquids & Seasonings
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp lemon juice, fresh
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry thoroughly. Season them generously with salt and pepper to enhance flavor and help create a light crust when seared.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken thighs on both sides for about 3-4 minutes per side until golden. This locks in juices and adds color and depth of flavor.
- Layer Ingredients in the Slow Cooker: Place the sliced onions and whole garlic cloves evenly at the bottom of the slow cooker. Arrange the seared chicken thighs on top. Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice, then sprinkle chopped rosemary and thyme evenly over everything.
- Cook Low and Slow: Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 6-7 hours, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and is tender enough to fall apart easily with a fork.
- Finish and Serve: Carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker. Stir the remaining juices inside to create a simple but flavorful sauce. Spoon the sauce over the chicken before serving for an extra burst of taste.
Notes
- Don’t skip searing: browning the chicken adds incredible flavor and texture that slow cooking alone can’t achieve.
- Use bone-in thighs for optimal moisture and richer flavor compared to breasts.
- Layer onions and garlic at the bottom to prevent burning and allow natural sweetness to develop.
- Ensure there is enough broth to keep chicken moist but avoid having it swimming in liquid.
- Fresh herbs provide the best aroma and flavor, but dried herbs can substitute at one-third the amount.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: slow cooker chicken, tender chicken thighs, easy chicken recipe, slow cooker dinners, family-friendly chicken, comfort food, one-pot meal