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.
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.
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.
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
Try using low sodium products or low sugar versions to make this recipe healthier.
Of course, make this recipe with chicken breasts, boneless skinless chicken thighs, wings or drumsticks. Make sure that the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
Indeed, double the recipe, simply make sure that the temperature of the chicken is reached.
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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Sticky Chicken Thighs
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.
Hi Christina I got an email from you today saying I hadn’t opened your emails lately…Just yesterday I made a copy of one of your recipes . My puter hasn’t been working rite for last yr. Have been shopping [online} for new one –that may be the reason I did get email about not opening your emails lately, just today. I love your site and your recipes. You are a good cook so I certainly will be keeping your site. Thanks so much for your work and keeping your site interesting for sure. Sallyann
Thank you so much for your feedback! I am so happy that you are enjoying my recipes!
I was so eager to do this recipe but I don’t know what happened. I had 6 chicken breasts that I cut up in thirds. I doubled the spices recipe and coated the chicken as directed. So far so good. The crock pot was on hour #4 when I checked it and I saw that it was soupy and definitely not sticky. The chicken seemed not covered in the coating anymore and it was tough so I put the crock pot on Hi for about 20 minutes. My dinner time was rapidly approaching and I had to get it going so I got the broiler on and spread out the chicken pieces flat on the broiler pan and coated with the tomato paste mixture without the water. The soup in the crock pot was still there so while the chicken was in the broiler I tried to boil the juices in a small pan to thicken. I boiled for 10-15 minutes and it never thickened! I got the chicken out of the broiler after about 8 minutes and poured the soupy liquid over the chicken pieces. It was a mess that was very soupy and not sticky at all. I was really hoping for more. Any clues anyone? I took pics if there is a way to upload them let me know.
The liquid in the slow cooker is not meant to be thick. The stickiness comes from making the glaze and then broiling the chicken with the sticky glaze – see steps 3-5 in the recipe.
My new favourite sticky chicken recipe, I used the oven for this recipe & marinated the chicken for 5 hours! Turned out amazing thank you for an awesome recipe & will definitely be using again and again and again!
Hey, can I use frozen chicken breast for this?
Yes! That would work great!
Just a general FYI. The link the Fix It and Forget it Big book actually goes to the Slow Cooker Revolution. Also thanks for your website lots of good info and The Sticky Chicken looks delicious!!
Thank you! I fixed that link 🙂
Hi can I make this in a conventional oven ?? If so what would th3 cooking times be ?? Many thanks
You can absolutely make it in a conventional oven, although I never have. I’m not sure what the cooking would be – it would definitely depend on the cut and thickness of the chicken.
Was just wondering if I wanted to do bone in skin on chicken. Would that change the Cooke time and tempter ?
I don’t think so, but definitely use a meat thermometer to make sure it’s 165 degrees.
Chris, have you ever tried this with boneless country style ribs? Seems like a good fit! Would you switch up the tomato paste, since it’s pork? Maybe barbecue sauce? Thanks!
I haven’t but it should work perfectly! It’s a great sauce recipe.
I don’t see any beer in this.
What am I missing?
There is no beer in this recipe.
Looks like beer was must have been in the original recipe, as the option to sub a non-alcoholic version is given.
There’s no beer in this recipe. I’m not seeing where it mentions non-alcoholic beer either. But, I think I am going to try it with beer next time! Thanks for inspiring me!
I’m confused. Is there or is there not supposed to be liquid of some sort—beer, water, whatever—in with the coated chicken while it is in the slow cooker?
Not in this recipe. The liquid is from the soy sauce, plus the chicken will release its juices too.
What do you like to serve with this dish?
Usually I serve rice and broccoli or green beans.
Is it possible to cook the chicken on low for 8 – 10 hours since I don’t have 4 hours in a row to cook this before I’m home for dinner at night or would that way overcook this? Perhaps I could pre-cook the first step and just broil it when I get home to heat it up? Has anyone tried either of those approaches yet? Thanks!!
Hi Heather! I always cook my chicken for about 8 hours. I put in before leaving for work and then finish it off when I get home. I works just fine. I do use the thickest chicken breasts I can find though. I’m fearful that the thin ones would be waaaaaay overdone.
Good luck! 🙂
Christina
Is this supposed to cook 4 hours on Low or High?
Low
I know I cant use my Pyrex dish under the broiler or it will crack, but I was wondering if I could use my metal 9×13? Im making this tonight and I dont want to have to run to the store for a new pan.
I’ve used my metal pan under the broiler without problems. I would think you would be OK too! I hope you enjoy the dish! 🙂
I can’t wait to try making this! I’m thinking Valentine’s Day will be that day. I just have a question, what can you do if your stove is a bit older and doesn’t have a broiler?
Hope you like it! 🙂 I would try cooking the sauce down a bit in a pan on the stove if you don’t have a broiler. Let me know how you make out!
What a fast way to cook a cichken! We’re not much for beer at our house, but I’m wondering if cichken broth or water work work, too. I can’t wait to give it a try.
I would definitely try subbing chicken broth for the beer. Or, maybe a non-alcoholic beer? Let me know how you make out! 🙂
I found you through ‘Under the Table and Dreaming’ – this recipe looks amazing! I am always looking for slow cooker recipes and will definitely try this.
Thanks!
Kim
I made this a while back and my kids loved it, I need to make it again soon!
Love! I’ll be sharing this one with my hubby, as he’s been searching for new crock pot recipes for a while now. Thanks!
I make this regularly, it’s a family favorite meal! Kelly @ Semi Homemade Mom
🙂 YUMMMM!
That looks so good Chris. I’m wondering if you could use boneless chicken breast instead of bone-in chicken? By the way, I love your blog….<3
Yep! That’s what I used…boneless, skinless! It was fantastic!
Thanks for the kind words! 🙂
I just happen to have boneless skinless chicken breasts in the freezer…:-) I will definitely try this Chris!!! Thanks for your response.
Sounds yummy! I love crockpot dishes lately!
Oh I can’t wait to try this! I love sticky chicken, but never made it in the crock pot! Please stop over and share at Mix it up Monday:
http://flourmewithlove.blogspot.com/2012/01/mix-it-up-monday_29.html#more
I hope to see you soon!
Are you triyng to make me drool over my keyboard? All these treats and dinners look fantastic. Holy moly. I’m seriously wanting to jump through my computer!