The Best Ever Slow Cooker Sweet Caramelized Onion Chicken Thighs
Today, let’s dive into a delicious recipe for sweet caramelized onion slow cooker chicken thighs. This dish is not only easy to make but also packed with flavor and incredibly tender. It’s the perfect meal for any day of the week!
Ingredients
- 6 bone in skin on chicken thighs
- salt and pepper to taste ( i used about 1 and 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- olive oil
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 6 to 8 huge cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
Instructions Below! (with Step-by-Step Photos)
We’re using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for this recipe. First, we need to season the chicken generously. You’ll want to mix salt, pepper, and dried oregano together before applying it to both sides of the chicken.
Once seasoned, it’s time to sear the chicken. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and drizzle in some olive oil. Wait until the oil is hot and shimmering, then add the chicken skin-side down. Sear for about three minutes.
After three minutes, flip the chicken to sear the other side for another three minutes until golden brown. Once done, transfer the chicken into your slow cooker.
Now, let’s go back to the skillet to sauté some onions. You won’t need to add more oil; there should be enough left from searing the chicken. Sauté the onions over medium heat until they become caramelized, which will take about 10 to 15 minutes.
Caramelizing onions adds a rich flavor to the chicken! Once the onions are ready, add a generous amount of garlic cloves and some brown sugar. Sauté everything together for one more minute. The sugar helps enhance the caramelization.
After everything has cooked together, take the pan off the heat. Pour the caramelized onion mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker, spreading it evenly.
Now, place the lid on the slow cooker and let the chicken cook on high for 6 hours. This slow cooking method will make your home smell amazing!
After 6 hours, your chicken will be fall-off-the-bone tender and full of flavor. This dish is perfect served over rice, but you can also enjoy it on its own. The sauce is like a delicious caramelized onion soup you can sip on during the colder months.
Enjoy your delicious creation!
