Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken
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This slow cooker garlic butter chicken is rich, tender, and packed with savory flavor from simple pantry ingredients. An easy, hands-off dinner that turns everyday chicken into a comforting meal.
Some nights, I just need dinner to handle itself, and that’s exactly why I love this slow cooker garlic butter chicken. I can toss everything into the slow cooker in the morning, get on with my day, and come back to a kitchen that smells incredible. The garlic and butter melt together into a rich, savory sauce that makes even simple chicken taste special. It’s the kind of recipe that feels comforting without requiring much effort.
I started making this on busy workdays when I didn’t want to think about dinner at 6 p.m. After a long day, having tender, flavorful chicken ready to serve feels like a small win. I’ve served it over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, and even alongside roasted veggies, and it works every time. It’s versatile enough for a regular weeknight but still good enough to serve when we have family over.
What I really appreciate most is how reliable it is. The slow cooker does the heavy lifting, so the chicken turns out juicy and packed with garlic butter flavor. There’s no complicated prep, no fancy ingredients, and barely any cleanup. If you’re looking for a dependable, comforting dinner that won’t stress you out, this is one I keep coming back to.
Items Needed
Here’s what you’ll need to make slow cooker garlic butter chicken:
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs – They stay juicy and tender in the slow cooker and have more flavor than chicken breasts.
- Butter – Adds richness and creates the base for the garlic butter sauce that keeps the chicken moist.
- Minced garlic – Infuses the dish with bold, savory flavor that defines the garlic butter profile.
- Italian seasoning – Brings balanced herb flavor and depth without needing multiple individual spices.
- Chicken stock – Adds moisture and enhances the overall savory taste while helping form a flavorful sauce.
- Salt and pepper – Season the chicken and balance all the flavors so the dish doesn’t taste flat.
Tools you’ll need
Before starting the recipe, you’ll want to have all your kitchen essentials ready. I recommend having the following items:
Ways To Customize
Here are some easy ways to customize slow cooker garlic butter chicken:
- Add vegetables – Toss in baby potatoes, carrots, or green beans so everything cooks together in one pot.
- Make it creamy – Stir in a splash of heavy cream or a spoonful of cream cheese at the end for a richer sauce.
- Add heat – Sprinkle in red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne for a little kick.
- Brighten it up – Finish with fresh lemon juice or lemon zest to balance the richness of the butter.
- Swap the protein – Use chicken breasts if you prefer leaner meat, adjusting cook time to prevent drying out.
- Boost the herbs – Add fresh parsley, thyme, or rosemary before serving for extra flavor and color.
- Make it cheesy – Top with freshly grated Parmesan during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Turn it into a gravy – Thicken the sauce with a cornstarch slurry for a more spoonable, gravy-style finish.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below.
How To Make It
Season both sides of the chicken thighs generously with salt and black pepper.
In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, minced garlic, and seasonings until well combined.
Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of a 6-quart crockpot.
Place the chicken thighs in the crockpot, skin-side up, in a single layer.
Drizzle the garlic butter mixture evenly over the chicken thighs.
Cover the crockpot with the lid and cook on low heat for 6 hours or on high heat for 3 hours, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Note
Avoid overcooking the chicken, even in the slow cooker. Chicken thighs are forgiving, but cooking them too long can make the texture overly soft instead of tender. Start checking for doneness on the lower end of the cook time so the meat stays juicy and holds its shape.
Storage
Store leftover slow cooker garlic butter chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days, making sure to spoon some of the sauce over the chicken to keep it moist. If you’d like to freeze it, place the chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 2–3 months, then thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
To reheat, warm it gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave in short intervals, adding a splash of chicken stock if needed to loosen the sauce and prevent it from drying out.
Helpful Hints
Pro tip: Sear the Chicken!
Sear the chicken thighs in a hot skillet for 2–3 minutes per side before adding them to the slow cooker to deepen the flavor and give the finished dish a richer, more developed taste.
More Cooking Tips:
- Pat the chicken dry before seasoning so the flavors stick better.
- Don’t lift the slow cooker lid too often, as it releases heat and extends cooking time.
- Layer the chicken in a single layer for more even cooking.
- Taste and adjust salt at the end since the sauce reduces and concentrates.
- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor instead of jarred varieties.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving to help retain its juices.
- Spoon the sauce over the chicken just before serving for maximum flavor in every bite.
Serving Suggestions
This slow cooker garlic butter chicken pairs beautifully with simple sides that soak up the rich, savory sauce. Serving it over steamed rice or buttery mashed potatoes is a classic choice, as the grains or potatoes catch every bit of garlic butter goodness. For a quicker option, you can also serve it alongside crusty bread to mop up the sauce, making every bite flavorful and satisfying.
If you want a more indulgent option, try serving it with pasta. I love pairing it with a cheesy pasta side, like my One Pot Cheesy Pasta, which complements the garlic butter sauce perfectly. The creamy, cheesy noodles balance the savory richness of the chicken, turning a simple weeknight dinner into a comforting, hearty meal.
For a fun, family-friendly twist, serve the chicken with buttery rolls or stuffed bread. My Cheese Stuffed Crescent Rolls are perfect for this, as they can soak up the sauce while adding an extra cheesy element to the meal. You can even serve a side of roasted or steamed veggies to lighten things up and add color to the plate. This way, the meal feels complete, comforting, and easy for any occasion.
FAQs
Recipe
Garlic Butter Crockpot Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
- 3 tablespoons of minced garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Season both sides of the chicken thighs generously with salt and black pepper.
- In a small bowl, mix the melted butter and minced garlic and seasonings until well combined.
- Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of a 6-quart crockpot.
- Place the chicken thighs in the crockpot, skin-side up, in a single layer.
- Drizzle the garlic butter mixture evenly over the chicken thighs.
- Cover the crockpot with the lid and cook on low heat for 6 hours or on high heat for 3 hours, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
