If you’re looking for the kind of hearty, feel-good dinner that practically cooks itself while you’re out conquering the world, this Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes Recipe is destined to become a new favorite. Imagine tender, juicy chicken thighs resting on a bed of buttery baby potatoes, all infused with garlic, herbs, and a mouthwatering savory broth thanks to the magic of slow cooking. Dinner doesn’t get much easier — or more rewarding — than this rustic, flavor-packed dish that brings together everything you love about cozy home cooking in one glorious pot.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe proves you don’t need complicated ingredients to achieve deep, comforting flavor. Each element is there for a delicious reason, working together to create a meal that tastes like hours of effort with almost no fuss.
- Chicken thighs: Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs add incredible richness and ensure the meat stays tender and flavorful throughout the long cook.
- Baby potatoes: Halved baby potatoes become perfectly creamy and soak up all that savory broth, making every bite irresistible.
- Garlic: Minced garlic brings a subtle kick and a beautifully aromatic depth to the dish.
- Onion: Sliced onion cooks down and almost melts into the sauce, adding gentle sweetness and umami.
- Olive oil: Using olive oil for searing gives the chicken a beautiful golden color and a hint of fruity richness.
- Dried thyme: This classic herb lends earthiness and a woodsy, comforting flavor profile.
- Dried rosemary: Just the right hit of rosemary brings aromatic, piney notes that make this dish sing.
- Paprika: Paprika adds warmth, a subtle smokiness, and a lovely pop of color to both chicken and potatoes.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for rounding out the flavors and enhancing every single ingredient.
- Chicken broth: Low-sodium broth provides moisture for slow cooking and forms the base of the ultra-tasty sauce.
- Fresh parsley: Chopped and scattered just before serving, parsley brightens up the entire dish with freshness and vibrant color.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Season the Chicken
Start by generously sprinkling the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and paprika. This not only flavors the chicken itself but also builds a fragrant, inviting base for the whole meal. Don’t be shy with the seasonings — they’re the secret to layering deliciousness from the very first step.
Step 2: Sear for Flavor
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is shimmering, place your seasoned chicken thighs skin-side down. Let them cook undisturbed for 3 to 4 minutes, until the skin is gorgeously golden and crisp. This quick sear locks in juices and brings a toasty, caramelized flavor to the finished dish. Once browned, transfer the chicken to your slow cooker.
Step 3: Sauté Garlic and Onion
Don’t let those flavorful brown bits in the pan go to waste! In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sliced onions. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, just long enough for them to soften and become aromatic. This step builds the foundation for a sauce that’s rich and luxurious — you’ll thank yourself later.
Step 4: Add Potatoes and Assemble
Now, place the halved baby potatoes right into the slow cooker with the chicken. Top everything off with your sautéed aromatics. Pour the chicken broth evenly over the top so it nestles down into all the nooks and crannies, guaranteeing every bite will be steeped in flavor.
Step 5: Let the Slow Cooker Work Its Magic
Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours (or on high for 3 to 4 hours) until the chicken is fall-off-the-bone tender and the potatoes are perfectly creamy. The aroma alone will make it nearly impossible to wait for dinner time!
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Just before serving, scatter chopped fresh parsley over the cooked chicken and potatoes. That brilliant burst of green not only makes the Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes Recipe look beautiful, but also lifts the whole dish with its clean, herby flavor.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
While fresh parsley is the classic finishing touch for this dish, you can also add a final crack of black pepper or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for extra brightness. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt just before serving is another way to heighten the flavors and make the presentation truly inviting.
Side Dishes
This Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes Recipe is a meal in itself, but it pairs beautifully with a simple green salad dressed in a lemony vinaigrette or roasted seasonal vegetables. For something indulgent, warm crusty bread is perfect for soaking up that irresistible sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For a cozy family-style dinner, pile everything onto a large serving platter and let everyone help themselves. If you’re hosting, you can serve individual portions in shallow bowls, spooning the garlic-herb broth over the top. For a rustic dinner party, garnish with extra sprigs of herbs and a scattering of microgreens for a wow-worthy finish.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers of the Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes Recipe are just as dreamy the next day. Allow cooled portions to be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen overnight, making for some seriously good second helpings.
Freezing
This dish makes a fantastic freezer meal. Let the chicken and potatoes cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before gently reheating, and you’ll have a homemade dinner on standby anytime.
Reheating
To reheat, place leftovers in a covered saucepan or oven-safe dish with a splash of extra chicken broth to keep everything moist. Warm slowly over low heat or in a low oven until everything is piping hot and fragrant again.
FAQs
Can I use boneless chicken for this recipe?
Absolutely! Both boneless chicken thighs and breasts work well, although bone-in chicken does bring a richer flavor and juicier texture to the Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes Recipe.
What other vegetables can I add?
You can easily add carrots, green beans, or even chunks of sweet potato along with the baby potatoes. Just be sure to cut them to similar sizes for even cooking.
Do I have to sear the chicken first?
While you can skip the searing if you’re pressed for time, that step really adds extra flavor and helps the skin stay pleasantly crisp, even after slow cooking. It’s worth the extra couple of minutes!
Can I make the Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes Recipe ahead of time?
Yes! You can prep everything the night before and store it in the fridge. In the morning, simply place the ingredients in the slow cooker, add the broth, and start cooking. Dinner will be moments away when you get home.
Is the recipe gluten-free?
It is! The Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes Recipe contains no gluten ingredients as written, making it a fantastic option for those with dietary restrictions (just be sure to double-check your broth if you’re especially sensitive).
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been craving a meal that’s both soul-satisfying and blissfully easy to prepare, you need to give this Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes Recipe a spot in your regular dinner rotation. It’s the kind of home-cooked comfort that brings everyone to the table — and keeps them coming back for more. Happy slow cooking!
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Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes Recipe
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes recipe is a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for a simple weeknight dinner. Tender chicken thighs, baby potatoes, and aromatic herbs cooked low and slow in the crockpot for a delicious meal the whole family will love.
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 pound baby potatoes, halved
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Chicken and Potatoes:
Others:
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, and rosemary.
- Sear the Chicken: In a large skillet, sear the seasoned chicken thighs skin-side down until browned.
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Transfer the seared chicken to the slow cooker.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, sauté garlic and onions until fragrant.
- Add Ingredients: Add sautéed garlic, onions, and halved baby potatoes to the slow cooker.
- Moisten with Broth: Pour chicken broth over the ingredients in the slow cooker.
- Cook Slow and Low: Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours until chicken is tender and potatoes are cooked through.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute boneless chicken thighs or breasts for a leaner option.
- Feel free to add carrots or green beans to incorporate more vegetables into the dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with potatoes
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
