Healthy Savory Slow Cooker Chicken (Print Version)

Tender chicken with vegetables, herbs, and rich sauce for easy comfort meals.

# What You Need:

→ Poultry

01 - 3.3 lbs skinless, bone-in chicken thighs or breasts

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced
03 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
04 - 1 large onion, diced
05 - 4 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 9 oz baby potatoes, halved

→ Liquids

07 - 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
08 - 2 tbsp olive oil

→ Herbs & Seasonings

09 - 1 tsp dried thyme
10 - 1 tsp dried oregano
11 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
13 - 1 tsp salt
14 - 2 bay leaves
15 - Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
16 - Juice of 1/2 lemon (optional)

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Rub evenly with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, dried thyme, and dried oregano on all sides.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear seasoned chicken for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer to a plate.
03 - Place sliced carrots, celery, diced onion, minced garlic, and halved baby potatoes in the bottom of the slow cooker, distributing evenly.
04 - Arrange seared chicken pieces on top of the vegetable layer. Pour chicken broth over the ingredients. Tuck bay leaves into the liquid.
05 - Cover and cook on LOW setting for 6 hours until chicken is tender, reaches internal temperature of 165°F, and vegetables are fork-tender.
06 - Discard bay leaves. Taste broth and adjust seasoning if desired. Add fresh lemon juice for brightness. Garnish generously with chopped fresh parsley.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The chicken practically falls apart with a fork after six hours of low and slow magic
  • Everything cooks in one pot meaning minimal cleanup and maximum flavor infusion
  • Its endlessly adaptable based on whatever vegetables are languishing in your crisper drawer
02 -
  • Searing the chicken first creates flavor compounds that simply cannot develop otherwise so dont skip this step
  • Slow cookers vary wildly so check at 5 hours if yours runs hot or 7 hours if it tends to run cooler
  • The sauce will seem thin but that is intentional and part of what makes this so comforting
03 -
  • Arrange the chicken skin side up if it has skin for the prettiest presentation
  • If you want a thicker sauce remove the solids and reduce on high for 15 minutes
  • A splash of white wine replacing half the broth adds incredible depth

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