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Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken

As seen in: Southern Comfort Food: Soul-Satisfying Dishes With Rich Heritage

Drop everything in your slow cooker and come back to super-tender, sweet and savory chicken. Thanks to garlic, brown sugar, and a shake of paprika, every bite's tasty and rich. You'll have more time to chill while dinner sorts itself out.

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Refreshed on Sat, 24 May 2025 18:00:13 GMT
Up-close shot of glossy, saucy chicken thighs sprinkled with green onions. Save it
Up-close shot of glossy, saucy chicken thighs sprinkled with green onions. | iamcooker.com

Irresistible Garlic Chicken Delight

I gotta tell you about this go-to dinner I whip up all the time. Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken is pure cozy food—plus it just needs five simple things. The chicken gets melt-in-your-mouth soft and that sweet garlic sauce? Out of this world. Seriously, your crew will clear their plates.

Why You'll Love This

Ever have those evenings where you want dinner to just happen? That's when this comes in handy. Toss everything into your slow cooker and walk away. The chicken stays moist and delicious and the sauce—oh wow—makes anything from mashed potatoes to rice even better.

What You'll Need

  • Main Pick: Chicken thighs—bone in or boneless—they never dry out.
  • Sugar Boost: A scoop of brown sugar for that sticky sweet glaze.
  • Flavor Maker: Plenty of fresh minced garlic—the more, the better.
  • Salty Finish: Soy sauce to round out the taste.
  • Spicy Flair: Red pepper flakes if you crave a little punch.
A bowl of glazed meatballs topped with chopped herbs sitting in a rich sauce. Save it
A bowl of glazed meatballs topped with chopped herbs sitting in a rich sauce. | iamcooker.com

How To Pull It Off

Let It Cook
Put the lid on and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 until the chicken falls apart with a fork.
Add Chicken
Drop in the chicken thighs and turn them so every piece gets covered with sauce.
Sauce Time
Stir together the garlic, brown sugar, soy sauce, and the pepper flakes if you want—just mix it right in the slow cooker.
Dig In
Spoon the saucy chicken out, smother with the cooking sauce, and pile it onto whatever sides you like.

Top Tricks For Success

Chop up your own fresh garlic—skip the pre-chopped stuff in a jar. If you want more heat, sprinkle in a little extra red pepper or a dash of sriracha. Sometimes I top it with a few orange slices for something zesty at the end, trust me, it's awesome.

Keeping It Fresh

Pop what you have left into a container in the fridge—it'll be tasty for around 3 days. Thinking of freezing? Let it chill first, then tuck it in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you're ready, thaw it in the fridge overnight and you're good to go.

Best Ways To Serve It

I love spooning this chicken over fluffy rice or some creamy mashed potatoes—it also rocks with roasted veggies. Try swapping in other chicken cuts or toss in peppers and onions for a twist—it works any way you want.

Glazed chicken thighs laid on rice, sprinkled with fresh herbs and served in a bowl. Save it
Glazed chicken thighs laid on rice, sprinkled with fresh herbs and served in a bowl. | iamcooker.com

Common Questions

→ Can I use boneless chicken thighs?

You sure can. They cook a bit faster, so check them an hour or two early. They might be a little less juicy than bone-in.

→ Is the hot sauce really optional?

Totally optional! The heat is great if you like a kick, but if not, skip it or use less. It's all about what you like.

→ Why keep the skin on?

Skin makes the chicken nice and juicy. Want crunch? Broil it for a few after cooking, just watch so it doesn't burn.

→ Can I prep this the night before?

Absolutely. Put the chicken and sauce in your slow cooker pot, stash it in the fridge, and just pop it in the cooker in the morning.

→ How do I make the chicken skin crispy?

Once the chicken's done, broil it a bit to get that crisp skin. Don't take your eyes off—it can char fast!

Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken

Toss chicken in your slow cooker, throw on plenty of garlic and brown sugar with a bit of paprika for warmth, and let it all mingle. Lovely for busy days.

Preparation
10 Mins
Cooking Duration
420 Mins
Complete Duration
430 Mins
By: sofia


Complexity: Simple

Origin: American

Output: 4 Portions (4 thighs)

Diet Types: No Gluten, No Dairy Products

What You'll Need

01 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs.
02 To make sauce:
03 6 cloves of garlic, finely chopped.
04 Packed 1/3 cup of brown sugar.
05 1 tablespoon of sesame oil.
06 A tablespoon of hot sauce, if desired.
07 1 teaspoon of smoky paprika.
08 1/2 teaspoon of coarse salt.
09 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper.
10 For decorating:
11 Chopped green onions.
12 Sesame seeds to sprinkle on top.

Preparation Steps

01 Step

Grab your slow cooker. Toss in minced garlic, brown sugar, sesame oil, add hot sauce if you'd like, paprika, salt, and pepper.

02 Step

Place the chicken thighs into the sauce in the slow cooker. Make sure they’re well coated. Arrange them with the skin side facing up.

03 Step

Leave the slow cooker on LOW for 7-8 hours or set it to HIGH for 4 hours, depending on your schedule.

04 Step

For crispy skin, pop it under the broiler for a bit before serving.

05 Step

Scatter chopped green onions and sesame seeds over the top before serving.

Additional Tips

  1. If using boneless thighs, cook for less time.
  2. You can prep everything the night before and chill it.
  3. Skip the hot sauce if you want it less spicy.
  4. Using the broiler will make the chicken skin crispier.

Required Equipment

  • A slow cooker to cook the dish.
  • Measuring tools like cups and spoons.

Allergen Notice

Review ingredients for possible allergens and seek professional medical advice if uncertain.
  • Contains soy due to sesame oil.

Nutritional Information (Each Portion)

Consider these values as estimates rather than definitive health guidance.
  • Energy: 493
  • Fat Content: 36 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18 g
  • Protein Content: 23 g