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Sweet Garlic Chicken

Featured in Chicken dishes that always work.

Simplify dinner with this no-fuss slow cooker chicken. A rich sauce made from brown sugar, garlic, and smoked paprika makes the thighs irresistibly flavorful. Add it to your weekly rotation for an easy win.

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Maria from tastyhush
Updated on Wed, 28 May 2025 13:20:09 GMT
Close-up of glazed chicken thighs with green onions in a rich sauce. Pin it
Close-up of glazed chicken thighs with green onions in a rich sauce. | tastyhush.com

I wanna tell you about an awesome go-to dinner at my place. This Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken is total cozy comfort and guess what you only need five things. The chicken turns out crazy soft and the sweet garlicky glaze is just unreal. Seriously your family will be all about this dish.

Why You'll Love It

Ever have one of those hectic days where you just want dinner to happen by itself? Here’s the fix. Dump everything in your slow cooker and walk away. The chicken stays so moist and that sweet sauce tastes good on pretty much anything you’ve got like mashed potatoes or fluffy rice.

What You Need

  • Juicy Chicken: Chicken thighs—go with bone-in or boneless—they always turn out moist.
  • Caramel Sweetness: Brown sugar makes that sticky sweet glaze.
  • Punchy Garlic: Get fresh garlic and chop it up yourself for real flavor.
  • Rich Flavor: Soy sauce gives everything a little oomph.
  • Heat (totally up to you): Red pepper flakes for when you want a little extra kick.
A bowl filled with glossy meatballs and a sprinkle of fresh chopped herbs sitting in a rich sauce. Pin it
A bowl filled with glossy meatballs and a sprinkle of fresh chopped herbs sitting in a rich sauce. | tastyhush.com

Your Easy Chicken Guide

Dig In Time
Scoop out the chicken, pour on some of the tasty sauce, then pile it on your favorite sides.
Let It Simmer
Put the lid on and set your slow cooker for 6 to 7 hours on LOW or about 3 to 4 hours on HIGH til the chicken shreds easy.
Add Chicken
Toss those chicken thighs in and wiggle them around so they soak up all that flavor.
Sauce First
Mix brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, and if you want some pepper flakes straight into your slow cooker. Give it a stir so it’s all blended.

Tricks For Awesome Results

Fresh garlic is where it’s at—skip the jar if you can. Want more fire? Throw in extra pepper flakes or some sriracha. I even toss a few orange slices on top near the end. It gives it a nice bright kick.

Saving Leftovers

Leftovers? Just stick them in the fridge—they’ll hang out good for about 3 days. Freeze if you want—wait until everything’s cool and it’ll last up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and warm it back up whenever you want more.

Awesome Side Matches

Serve the chicken over roasted veggies, creamy mashed potatoes, or pillowy rice. Sometimes I swap in different cuts of chicken or toss in veggies like onions and peppers. It’s super forgiving.

A big bowl with glazed chicken thighs, green herbs on top, all resting on a fluffy bed of white rice. Pin it
A big bowl with glazed chicken thighs, green herbs on top, all resting on a fluffy bed of white rice. | tastyhush.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can boneless thighs work here?

Sure! Just keep in mind they cook faster, so shave off about 1-2 hours. They might not be as juicy as bone-in ones though.

→ Do I really need hot sauce?

Nope! It just adds a little heat. If spicy isn't your thing, leave it out or tweak the amount to your liking.

→ Why leave the skin on?

The skin locks in moisture while cooking. Want it crispy? Pop it under the broiler for a couple of minutes before serving.

→ Can I prep ahead of time?

Absolutely. Mix the sauce, toss in the chicken, and refrigerate everything in the slow cooker pot overnight. Cook it the next day!

→ How do I get crispy skin?

Once it's done, broil the chicken briefly. Keep an eye on it to avoid burning, and you'll have crispy perfection.

Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken

Tender chicken cooked perfectly with brown sugar, garlic, and smoky spices. An easy dinner option for those hectic evenings.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
420 Minutes
Total Time
430 Minutes
By: Maria

Category: Poultry

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings (4 thighs)

Dietary: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs.
02 For the sauce:
03 6 minced garlic cloves.
04 Packed 1/3 cup brown sugar.
05 1 tbsp sesame oil.
06 1 tsp smoked paprika.
07 1/4 tsp black pepper.
08 1/2 tsp kosher salt.
09 1 tbsp hot sauce if you like it spicy (optional).
10 For topping:
11 Chopped green onions.
12 Sesame seeds.

Instructions

Step 01

Add minced garlic, brown sugar, sesame oil, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and optional hot sauce into your slow cooker.

Step 02

Place the chicken thighs into the slow cooker. Fully coat them with the sauce, making sure the skin side is up.

Step 03

Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or let it go on LOW for 7-8 hours.

Step 04

If you want crispy skin, pop under the broiler quickly.

Step 05

Sprinkle sesame seeds and green onions over the cooked chicken before serving.

Notes

  1. Switch to boneless thighs, and cook them for less time.
  2. Prep ahead by assembling everything the night before, then refrigerate.
  3. Skip the hot sauce for a gentler flavor.
  4. Using the broiler after cooking gives crispier skin.

Tools You'll Need

  • Slow cooker.
  • Tools for measuring (cups and spoons).

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains soy (from sesame oil).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 493
  • Total Fat: 36 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 18 g
  • Protein: 23 g