Creamy Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs
A simple and delicious slow cooker recipe for tender, juicy chicken thighs in a rich, garlicky parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for easy weeknight dinners or cozy meals.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours (low) or 2-3 hours (high)
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes to 5 hours 10 minutes (low) or 2 hours 10 minutes to 3 hours 10 minutes (high)
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4–6 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs (about 2 pounds or 900 grams)
- 4–5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese (about 100 grams)
- 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (120 ml)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for browning)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Optional: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken thighs skin-side down for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer to the crockpot.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits from the pan.
- Stir in heavy cream and grated parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Pour the creamy sauce over the chicken thighs in the crockpot. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Before serving, gently stir the sauce and sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top. Adjust seasoning if needed.
Notes
Browning the chicken before slow cooking is optional but recommended for deeper flavor. Avoid lifting the crockpot lid too often to maintain cooking temperature. If sauce is too thick, stir in a splash of chicken broth or cream. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and parmesan with nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese. Use bone-in thighs for juicier meat. Can be adapted for Instant Pot using sauté and pressure cook functions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About one chicken th
- Calories: 350400
- Fat: 25
- Carbohydrates: 24
- Protein: 30
Keywords: crockpot chicken, garlic parmesan chicken, slow cooker recipe, creamy chicken thighs, easy dinner, comfort food