We like this delicious Slow Cooker Garlic Chicken served over creamy polenta.
I’m not such a crock potter, but crock pots save me on busy nights, and there are a handful of slow cooker recipes worth trying, like this one!
It’s such a simple, no-brainer recipe. And I make a simple, no-brainer creamy polenta to go with it too.
Chicken pieces are fried up on one side only, just to brown them lightly. I wouldn’t use boneless chicken for this recipe. The bone-in chicken keeps the meat more tender.
In a slow cooker, layer onion, garlic, and fresh thyme.
Place the lightly-browned chicken on top.
Make a sauce of sorts, beginning with white wine…
and mixing it with flour (or gluten-free flour or tapioca starch for my GF friends).
Whisk together.
Pour over the chicken in the slow cooker. Put the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for 3 1/2 hours or on low for 7 hours.
I used instant polenta as my base- made it according to the package instructions except that I substituted 1/2 of the water for milk, added a tablespoon of butter and a spoonful of cream cheese. This made for a delicious and creamy “side” to the slow cooker garlic chicken.
Enjoy this new dinner idea as a nice departure from all of the seasonal sweet treats. And if you need a super easy dinner to be ready for you when you come home from all of your busy activities.
Slow Cooker Garlic Chicken
Recipe Details
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 pounds bone in chicken pieces (drumsticks, breasts, thighs)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium sweet onion, sliced
- 8 large garlic cloves, halved
- 3 to 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- ½ cup dry white wine (Sauvignon Blanc is good)
- ½ cup3 chicken broth
- ⅓ cup all purpose flour
Instructions
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium high heat. Cook the chicken, skin side down, until the skin turns golden brown (about 4 minutes).
- Combine the onion, garlic, thyme and rosemary in a 5 to 6-quart slow cooker and season with salt and pepper. Top with the chicken, skin side up. Scrape any juices from the pan on top of the chicken. In a small bowl, whisk together the wine, broth and flour until smooth and pour it over the chicken in the slow cooker. Cover and cook until the chicken is tender, about 3½ hours on HIGH or 7 hours on LOW.
- Serve the chicken topped with sauce. Serve over rice, couscous, polenta or potatoes.
Notes
- This recipe is gluten-free adaptable. Substitute gluten free flour or tapioca starch for the all purpose flour.
- A delicious accompaniment to this dish is polenta. Prepare instant polenta as directed, substituting milk for half of the water and adding in 1 tablespoon of butter and a spoonful or two of cream cheese.
- If you would prefer to cook this in the oven, brown the chicken in a Dutch oven, then add remaining ingredients plus 1 cup chicken broth. Cover and cook at 350 degrees F. until the chicken is cooked through and tender, about 40 minutes.
Awesome! Just made it -everyone loved it including my picky 4 year old eater! I love that there’s no chicken soup base using msg! It’s definitely a GO TO recipe! Thanks!
Made this last night and we loved it! I don’t have wine in the house so I used veggie stock and chicken breasts. I cooked on low for 5 hours and then put on warm.
I also made it over creamy polenta with roasted asparagus and broccoli. Ate very bite and am delighted to have enough for 2 more servings! Thanks!
I loved how the chicken came out so tender and wonderful, but yes- on its own it did not have strong flavors. We served it over polenta, and it turned out to be a delicious pairing.
Tried the gluten free version and all four of us loved it. The chicken was moist and full of flavor, especially with a handful of spring onions on top. Will definitely make again, thanks!
My modifications:
Used thighs but took off the skins. After browning the chicken really well, I poured a little wine in the hot pan and scrapped the chicken bits off and then poured that into the crock. I used potato starch instead of flour because it’s what I had on hand.
Super excited to try this! Also – wanted to point out that its not only GF adaptable but its also milk and soy free. That’s a huge deal for me and lots and lots of other moms who have itty bitties who are allergic to milk and soy! (MSPI) Thanks so much!
Thanks- I hope you and your family enjoy it as much as we did. My Mom is gluten-free, and we enjoyed it over polenta!
Made this yesterday after finding it on Pinterest. Soooo easy, and tasted great! 🙂
In the picture you show using 1/3 cup flour but in the recipe it says 1/2 a cup?
Lori, um, I DIE. I’m tempted to crawl into the slow cooker and snuggle with the chicken all day. Good grief. Yum.
You crack me up Girl 😉
This looks delicious–I slow cooker recipes 🙂
Lori, this looks easy and delicious!
This sounds great. When I break out my crock pot it needs to be for a good recipe like this. Like the fresh herbs in here for some good flavor!
This looks fantastic! I just bought a new slow cooker (a 220 volt that I can use out here and not worry about burning down the house). I may make this tomorrow to break it in!
Looks amazing; I’m always looking for good slow cooker meals to make a busy weeknight easy and comforting. This recipe plus a good chardonnay will be just the ticket for getting over hump day!