Brown Sugar Garlic Crockpot Chicken
A tender and flavorful slow-cooked chicken dish featuring sweet brown sugar and punchy garlic in a glossy sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
For the Sauce
- 1/2 cup Brown sugar Light or dark; adjust amount to taste
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced Fresh preferred
- 1/4 cup Soy sauce Use low-sodium if you're watching salt
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil Or another neutral oil
- to taste Salt and pepper Season to taste
For the Chicken
- 2 lbs Chicken pieces Thighs or drumsticks work best for moisture
Instructions
Preparation
- In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, minced garlic, soy sauce, olive oil, a pinch of salt, and a few grinds of black pepper until smooth.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or saltiness.
Cooking
- Place chicken pieces in a single layer in the crockpot. Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken, turning pieces to coat.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and is tender.
- Optional: For a thicker, glossy sauce, remove chicken, turn the crockpot to high, stir 1-2 teaspoons of cornstarch mixed with cold water into the juices, and cook until thickened, then return chicken to coat.
Serving
- Serve warm with mashed potatoes, rice, or steamed vegetables and spoon extra sauce over the top.
Notes
For a lighter dish, substitute boneless skinless chicken breasts but reduce cook time and check doneness early. You can also swap olive oil for a neutral oil like canola or use a little sesame oil for an Asian twist.