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Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken

Featured in: Main Dishes

Let your slow cooker do all the work turning chicken into something special. Mix brown sugar, garlic, and smoky paprika to make a sweet sauce that sticks to every piece. Just press start and let dinner come together on its own.

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Twistytaste.com
Updated on Fri, 06 Jun 2025 15:27:49 GMT
Glazed chicken thighs with green onions in a rich, dark sauce. Pin it
Glazed chicken thighs with green onions in a rich, dark sauce. | twistytaste.com

Dreamy Garlic Chicken Magic

I’ve gotta tell you about my go-to for an easy meal. This Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken made in the slow cooker is just what you want on a cozy night. You need only five things for this and honestly it feels like a hug in a bowl. The chicken is so soft and that sweet garlicky sauce is wild. Seriously your crew will go nuts for it.

Why You’ll Love This

Ever had one of those nuts days where takeout sounds easiest? This dish’s got your back. Drop all the stuff in your slow cooker walk away and let it work. The chicken stays crazy juicy and that sauce? You’ll want it on all your sides rice or potatoes.

What You’ll Need

  • Key Player: Chicken thighs pick boneless or bone-in both work for locking in moisture.
  • Sugar Hit: Brown sugar makes that sauce extra sticky and sweet.
  • Can’t Skip: Loads of fresh minced garlic don’t hold back here.
  • Umami Friend: Soy sauce throws in lots of flavor.
  • Spicy Twist: Add red pepper flakes for a little zing if you want.
Saucy meatballs in a dish topped with a handful of fresh herbs and lots of flavor. Pin it
Saucy meatballs in a dish topped with a handful of fresh herbs and lots of flavor. | twistytaste.com

How To Make It

Dive In
Lay those chicken thighs into the mix and roll them around till they’re all slick with sauce.
Pour The Sauce
Mix garlic brown sugar soy sauce and pepper flakes (if you like) straight in your slow cooker and stir it all up.
Let It Slow Cook
Shut the lid on HIGH cook 3 to 4 hours or LOW 6 to 7 and don’t rush. The chicken will be fall-apart good.
Serve It Up
Scoop out the chicken pour that crazy good sauce over everything and dig in with whatever sides you like best.

Little Tricks

Always reach for fresh garlic the flavor’s so much better than the jarred kind. Love some fire? Crank up the red pepper or hit it with a squirt of sriracha. Sometimes I throw orange slices on at the very end for a bright pop—trust me it’s worth it.

Keep It Fresh

Stick any extras in the fridge and they’ll keep a solid 3 days. Freezing? Yup—just let it cool and stash for up to 3 months. Thaw slow in the fridge before heating it back up.

Best Things To Eat With It

This chicken rules on top of hot rice mashed taters or next to roasted veggies. Sometimes I change up the chicken or toss in some onion and bell pepper for a remix. Gets even better the more you play with it.

Glazed chicken thighs on rice showered with fresh green herbs looking super tasty. Pin it
Glazed chicken thighs on rice showered with fresh green herbs looking super tasty. | twistytaste.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use boneless chicken thighs?

Sure! Just remember they'll cook up quicker, so check them 1 to 2 hours earlier. They might not turn out as juicy as the bone-in kind though.

→ Is the hot sauce really optional?

Absolutely! Skip it if you want. It gives a bit of heat, but you control how spicy things get.

→ Why keep the skin on?

The skin keeps the chicken juicy as it cooks. If you want, you can brown it under the broiler to make it crunchy before eating.

→ Can I prep this the night before?

Go for it! Mix up your sauce, cover the chicken, and stash it in the fridge until you’re ready. Just pull it out and get cooking when you need it.

→ How do I make the chicken skin crispy?

Just pop the chicken under a hot broiler until the skin crisps up the way you like. Keep an eye on it so it does not burn.

Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken

Throw brown sugar, garlic, and smoky paprika in a pot with chicken for a tasty meal that’s great on hectic nights.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
420 Minutes
Total Time
430 Minutes

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings (4 thighs)

Dietary: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs.
02 You'll need this for the sauce:
03 6 cloves of garlic, finely chopped.
04 1/3 cup tightly packed brown sugar.
05 1 tablespoon of sesame oil.
06 Optional: 1 tablespoon of hot sauce.
07 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika.
08 1/2 teaspoon of coarse salt.
09 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper.
10 Finishing touch:
11 Chopped green onions.
12 Sesame seeds for topping.

Instructions

Step 01

In the slow cooker, toss in minced garlic, brown sugar, sesame oil, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and hot sauce if you'd like.

Step 02

Add the chicken thighs. Swirl them around in the sauce until they're fully covered. Make sure the skin side faces up.

Step 03

Cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or switch to HIGH for about 4 hours if you're short on time.

Step 04

Optional step: Broil in the oven for a little bit to get a crunchy skin.

Step 05

Sprinkle over the chopped green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

Notes

  1. Switch to boneless thighs if you want, but shorten the cook time.
  2. You can save time by prepping everything the night before and storing it in the fridge.
  3. Skip the hot sauce if you don't want it spicy.
  4. For that extra crunchy skin, broil the chicken before serving.

Tools You'll Need

  • A slow cooker.
  • Measuring spoons and cups.

Allergy Information

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