Crockpot Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken
Succulent, sweet and savory Crockpot Brown Sugar Chicken is made with just 3 ingredients (plus salt and pepper). This easy weeknight meal can be enjoyed whole or shredded to be served as sandwiches, tacos, on top of salads, etc.
Crockpot Brown Sugar Chicken Recipe
I’ve always been a fan of bone-in chicken. It’s cheaper than boneless varieties and also adds flavor, although I admit it can be a pain teaching kids how to deal with the bone. (I’m not opposed to letting them use their fingers while figuring it out.)
Now that boneless chicken breasts have become just way too expensive for an everyday meal (they’re averaging $4-5 where I live), I’m reaching for bone-in chicken cuts (quarters, thighs and breasts) more often.
This easy crockpot recipe is a great use of bone-in chicken because it stays juicy and tender – even making it’s own braising sauce, thanks to the fattier cut.
This recipe is savory and sweet with a hint of tangy acidity from the garlic. The brown sugar and garlic somewhat caramelize on the chicken thighs’ skin. I personally love just popping the chicken thighs under the broiler for a couple minutes after they are done cooking in the crockpot to crisp up the skin.
Crockpot Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken Variations:
- add heat with hot sauce or red chile flakes
- add more depth of flavor with paprika, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, etc.
- add a sprinkle of citrus to brighten up the sauce – lemon or orange
- can swap out the chicken for pork chops
- add veggies into the crockpot – bell peppers, onions, carrots, mushrooms, etc.
You can also make this garlic chicken recipe using chicken wings, but you will need to reduce the cooking time to 2.5 hours on high.
How to Serve: This crockpot brown sugar chicken recipe can can be served whole or shredded for use in tacos, on top of salads, on sandwich buns, etc.
Serve on top of potatoes, rice or egg noodles, or serve alongside a hearty salad or roasted veggies.
How to Bake: To bake garlic brown sugar chicken (instead of using the crockpot), bake in a preheated oven at 400F for 17-22 minutes, until an inserted meat thermometer reads 165F.
How to Freeze: The fully cooked brown sugar garlic chicken can be stored in ziptop freezer bags or your favorite freezer containers and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw completely before reheating and serving. (This set of freezer containers is a crazy bargain.)
This is the crockpot that I use the most often – it has a thermoshield which not only prevents little fingers from being burned if the kids touch the outside of the crockpot, but it’s also great for bringing along to potlucks. I also like that I can set the cook time on it, so if we end up taking too long playing outside (or running errands) I don’t have to worry about the food burning.
More Crockpot Chicken Recipes
- Crockpot Mississippi Chicken
- Olive Garden Crockpot Italian Chicken Pasta (with Video)
- Crockpot Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup (with Video)
- Crockpot Chicken Cordon Bleu
- Crockpot Chicken Parmesan Pasta
- Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole from Kylee Cooks
- Crockpot Italian Chicken and Veggies from The Soccer Mom Blog
Ingredients for Crockpot Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken
- Chicken Thighs, we used bone-in and skin on
- Brown Sugar
- Minced Garlic
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.
Tip: add additional veggies or spices, as desired.
Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful
- Crockpot <– this is the one I used in this recipe
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk or Spoon
How to Make Brown Sugar Chicken in the Crockpot
You can add the chicken thighs directly to the Crockpot, but we wanted to sear them first to seal the chicken juices in and give a slightly crispy skin to the final meal.
If you want to sear the chicken thighs, heat 2 Tablespoons of butter or oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken and cook for 4 minutes per side until golden brown.
Place the chicken thighs in the crockpot in an even layer.
In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, garlic, salt and pepper.
Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture over the chicken and place the lid of the Crockpot on.
Set Crockpot to high heat for 3 hours, or low heat for 5-6 hours.
Once the time is up, check the chicken with a meat thermometer to ensure it has reached 165F.
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Crockpot Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken
Ingredients
- 5-6 Chicken Thighs, we used bone-in and skin on
- 1/3 cup Brown Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Minced Garlic (about 2-3 garlic cloves)
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- You can add the chicken thighs directly to the Crockpot, but we wanted to sear them first to seal the chicken juices in and give a slightly crispy skin to the final meal.
- If you want to sear the chicken thighs, heat 2 Tablespoons of butter or oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken and cook for 4 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Place the chicken thighs in the crockpot in an even layer.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, garlic, salt and pepper.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture over the chicken and place the lid of the Crockpot on.
- Set Crockpot to high heat for 3 hours, or low heat for 5-6 hours.
- Once the time is up, check the chicken with a meat thermometer to ensure it has reached 165F.
Notes
How to Bake: To bake garlic brown sugar chicken (instead of using the crockpot), bake in a preheated oven at 400F for 17-22 minutes, until an inserted meat thermometer reads 165F.
How to Freeze: The fully cooked brown sugar garlic chicken can be stored in ziptop freezer bags or your favorite freezer containers and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw completely before reheating and serving.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 319Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 166mgSodium: 279mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 0gSugar: 10gProtein: 31g
Sugar, Spice and Glitter uses an auto-generate nutrition calculator. Nutrition information isn’t always accurate unless analyzed in a scientific lab, so these should be considered more of a guideline than medical information.
I hope your family loves this easy 3-ingredient chicken dinner!
For more ways to use your crockpot, check out our full crockpot recipe collection here:
For more ways to enjoy chicken, check out our full chicken recipe collection here:
