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.
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.
Is the chicken cut before or after in crockpot?
Hello, wondering do I cut the chicken before putting in crock pot? Also, where would I find the recipe that uses beer?
Thank you!
If not using bone in chicken thighs etc., then cut before putting into the slow cooker.
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.
It truly is so good. Thanks for trying it!