Italian Crockpot Chicken Thighs Recipe
This Italian Crockpot Chicken Thighs recipe offers tender, flavorful chicken slow-cooked in a rich tomato sauce infused with classic Italian herbs. Perfect for a comforting and easy meal, the slow cooker does all the work while you enjoy savory, juicy chicken thighs topped with fresh basil.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes depending on setting
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For Searing
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
Tomato Sauce and Herbs
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
Garnish
- Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Season the chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper on both sides to enhance the flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down and sear until golden brown and crisp, about 5 minutes. Flip and sear the other side for an additional 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Sauté the Onions: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for another minute to release its aroma.
- Combine Ingredients: Transfer the crushed tomatoes, sautéed onions and garlic, dried oregano, basil, and thyme into the crockpot. Stir well to combine all the flavors.
- Add Chicken: Place the browned chicken thighs directly on top of the tomato mixture in the crockpot, skin-side up to retain crispness.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours, or on high heat for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is tender, fully cooked, and infused with the sauce.
- Shred or Serve Whole: After cooking, you may shred the chicken for a pulled texture or serve the thighs whole for a rustic presentation.
- Garnish: Sprinkle fresh basil leaves over the chicken just before serving to add a bright and fresh flavor contrast.
Notes
- For extra flavor, reserve some skin to crisp under a broiler after slow cooking.
- You can substitute bone-in thighs with boneless, but cooking time may be shorter.
- Serve with pasta, polenta, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
- Adjust herbs to your taste; fresh herbs can be added in the last hour of cooking for enhanced freshness.
- Slow cooker times may vary based on model; ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: Italian chicken thighs, crockpot chicken, slow cooker Italian recipe, easy chicken dinner, tomato herb chicken
