Crock Pot Sticky Chicken Thighs

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Slow Cooker Sticky Chicken Thighs are sticky, sweet and slightly umami. They are perfect for football parties, weekday dinners or anytime you want a quick and easy dinner all done in the crock pot.


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This Crock Pot Sticky Chicken Thighs is one of my all-time favorite slow cooker recipes.  I’ve tried several similar recipes, but I’ve found this to the be absolute BEST sticky chicken recipe. This is one of my go-to easy chicken crockpot recipes.

I’m a sucker for a slow cooker recipe.  As a working mom with a full-time job, I take whatever help I can get when it comes to dinner.  And, my slow cooker is my favorite helper!


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What We Love About This Sticky Chicken Recipe

This recipe has it all going on.  It has the rich and sweet tomato flavor.  It’s deep and rich and kicked up with fresh ginger and garlic.  Seriously think everything is better with garlic and ginger.  They’re two of my all time favorite flavor boosters when making chicken crock pot recipes.

  • 5 Minute Prep: Throw all the ingredients in the crock pot and you are done!
  • Easy Ingredients: All found in pantry or the fridge.
  • Family Friendly: These are sticky and fun and so very delicious. Perfect for parties, game night or whenever you want a sticky sweet treat.
  • Adaptable: Can make it low-sodium, lower calorie etc.
A plate of wings

Ingredient Notes for Slow Cooker Sticky Chicken Thighs

  • Brown Sugar: Divided. Use a light or dark brown sugar.
  • Soy Sauce: A low sodium version or coconut aminos can also be of use in this recipe.
  • Ginger: Fresh ginger, minced.
  • Garlic: Fresh garlic, mince it.
  • Cayenne: For just that little bit of heat.
  • Chicken thighs: Bone-in thighs or wings. Also try breasts, legs etc.
  • Tomato Paste: Make your own or use the can variety.
Raw wings

Equipment Needed

How to Make Slow Cooker Sticky Chicken Thighs

These are the basic steps for making sticky chinese chicken. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions.

STEP 1: COMBINE

Begin by whisk together the brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger, garlic and cayenne pepper in a small bowl or zip lock bag. Then add chicken and toss to coat. Place in a slow cooker and cook on low for about 4 hours or until done.

STEP 2: MIX

Next, when done place chicken in a broiler proof dish and preheat the broiler. Combine remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar, water, and tomato paste, and remaining soy sauce.

STEP 3: BROIL

Brush on chicken and cook under the broiler for about 5 minutes or until chicken is slightly crisp.  Keep a close watch on the chicken under the broiler.

Basting the Slow Cooker Sticky Chicken Thighs.

Prep and Storage Tips for the Glaze

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME

While you can make this chicken a day or two in advance, truly it is best if you make it the day you need it.

HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.

HOW TO FREEZE THIS RECIPE

Freeze the sticky asian chicken in an airtight freezer bag or container. Keep in the freezer for up to six months.

HOW TO REHEAT THIS RECIPE

Heat the chicken in a pot on the stove or in the oven. Make sure that the chicken reaches a temperature of 165 degrees on a meat thermometer.

Frequently Asked Questions about Asian Chicken Thighs

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE HEALTHIER?

Try using low sodium products or low sugar versions to make this recipe healthier.

CAN I SUBSTITUTE DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE CHICKEN?

Of course, make this recipe with chicken breasts, boneless skinless chicken thighs, wings or drumsticks. Make sure that the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.

CAN THIS RECIPE BE DOUBLED OR HALVED?

Indeed, double the recipe, simply make sure that the temperature of the chicken is reached.

Close up on the Slow Cooker Sticky Chicken Thighs

Expert Tips for Making This Sticky Sauce for Chicken Recipe

  • Make More Sauce: This sauce is great over vegetables and rice. Therefore, make more sauce.
  • Spice: If you do not like spice, omit the pepper or if you love to live on the spicy side, try adding more red pepper flakes or other spices. Salt to taste.
  • Honey: Want more sweet stir in some honey to the pan.
  • Broil: This is an important step, do not skip it for optimal chicken.
  • Go Fresh:  Fresh Garlic and Ginger make this recipe so good. Store the whole, unpeeled ginger root in an airtight container in the fridge.
  • Alternate cooking method tip: Cook in the instant pot for 20 minutes on high. Finish in the broiler.
  • Garnish: Top with fresh parsley, sesame seeds or fresh green onions.

What to Serve with Slow Cooker Sticky Chicken Thighs

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4.61 from 141 votes

Sticky Chicken Thighs

Yield: 4 people
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 4 hours
Total: 4 hours 5 minutes
Sweet, spicy and yes so very Sticky. This Sticky Chicken Recipe is a slow cooker favorite that is a perfect and very popular dinner.
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⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup brown sugar, divided
  • ¼ cup soy sauce, divided
  • 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne
  • 3 pounds chicken, breast, thighs, legs, etc.
  • ¼ cup water
  • ¼ cup tomato paste

Instructions

  • Combine 1/4 cup brown sugar,  2 tablespoons soy sauce , ginger, garlic, and cayenne pepper in a bowl or zipper bag; add chicken and toss to coat.
  • Place in a slow cooker and cook on low for about 4 hours or until done.
  • When done place chicken in a broiler proof dish and preheat the broiler.
  • Combine remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar, water, and tomato paste, and remaining soy sauce.
  • Brush on chicken and cook under the broiler for about 5 minutes or until chicken is slightly crisp.  Keep a close watch on the chicken under the broiler.

Expert Tips

  • Make More Sauce: This sauce is great over vegetables and rice. Therefore, make more sauce.
  • Spice: If you do not like spice, omit the pepper or if you love to live on the spicy side, try adding more.
  • Broil: This is an important step, do not skip it for optimal chicken.
  • Go Fresh:  Fresh Garlic and Ginger make this recipe so good. Store the whole, unpeeled ginger root in an airtight container in the fridge.
  • Alternate cooking method tip: Cook in the instant pot for 20 minutes on high. Finish in the broiler.
  • Garnish: Top with sesame seeds or fresh green onions.

Estimated Nutritional Information

Calories: 918kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 66g | Fat: 51g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 255mg | Sodium: 1191mg | Potassium: 921mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 42g | Vitamin A: 830IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 86mg | Iron: 4mg
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
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Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American

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49 thoughts on “Crock Pot Sticky Chicken Thighs”

  1. Hello, wondering do I cut the chicken before putting in crock pot? Also, where would I find the recipe that uses beer?

    Thank you!

    Reply
  2. 5 stars
    Made the recipe tonight. Oh, so delicious. Super easy. We had a bite or two, could have had more, lol. Will do again and again.

    Thank you for the delicious recipe.

    Reply

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