Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Carrots Recipe
Introduction
Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs with Potatoes & Carrots is a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for busy days. Tender chicken and hearty vegetables cook together in a savory broth, making dinner simple and satisfying.

Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 pounds baby red potatoes (halved)
- 1 pound baby carrots
- 1 medium red onion (chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 3 teaspoons cornstarch
- 3 teaspoons water
Instructions
- Step 1: Trim any excess fat from the chicken thighs and pat them dry with paper towels.
- Step 2: Place the chicken thighs into a medium bowl and season evenly with smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Set aside.
- Step 3: Halve the baby potatoes, chop the red onion, and mince the garlic.
- Step 4: Add the potatoes, carrots, chopped onion, and garlic to the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Step 5: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken thighs and brown them for 3–4 minutes on each side. Cook in batches if needed to avoid crowding.
- Step 6: Place the browned chicken on top of the vegetables in the slow cooker, then pour in the chicken broth.
- Step 7: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 4 hours until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Step 8: Remove the chicken, potatoes, and carrots from the slow cooker and transfer them to serving dishes.
- Step 9: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to form a slurry. Pour it into the slow cooker to thicken the remaining broth into a gravy. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve alongside the chicken and vegetables.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, add fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to the slow cooker before cooking.
- You can substitute baby potatoes with fingerling or Yukon Gold potatoes if preferred.
- If you like a spicier dish, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the chicken seasoning.
- To ensure the chicken skin crisps up, finish the cooked thighs under a broiler for 2–3 minutes after slow cooking.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through. The gravy may thicken when chilled—thin with a little water or broth when reheating if needed.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use bone-in chicken thighs instead?
Yes, bone-in chicken thighs can be used, but they may require slightly longer cooking time to ensure they are fully cooked.
Is it necessary to brown the chicken before slow cooking?
Browning the chicken adds extra flavor and a nice color, but you can skip this step for convenience. The dish will still be flavorful but less rich in taste and appearance.
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Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Carrots Recipe
- Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes (LOW) or 4 hours 20 minutes (HIGH)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs with Potatoes & Carrots recipe features tender, juicy chicken thighs seasoned with smoked paprika and slow-cooked alongside baby potatoes, carrots, and aromatic onions and garlic. Finished with a rich, homemade gravy thickened with cornstarch, this comforting one-pot meal is perfect for an easy, hearty dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Vegetables
- 2 pounds baby red potatoes, halved
- 1 pound baby carrots
- 1 medium red onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Thickener
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 3 teaspoons cornstarch
- 3 teaspoons water
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Trim any excess fat from the chicken thighs and pat them dry with paper towels to ensure better browning.
- Season the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in a bowl and evenly coat them with smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Set aside while you prepare the vegetables.
- Prep the Vegetables: Cut the baby red potatoes in half, chop the red onion, and mince the garlic cloves.
- Layer Vegetables in Slow Cooker: Add the halved potatoes, baby carrots, chopped onion, and minced garlic to the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker, forming an even layer.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, sear the seasoned chicken thighs for 3-4 minutes per side until nicely browned. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
- Assemble in Slow Cooker: Place the seared chicken thighs on top of the vegetables in the slow cooker, then pour the chicken broth over everything.
- Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or on HIGH for 4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and vegetables are tender.
- Remove and Serve: Once cooking is complete, carefully remove the chicken, potatoes, and carrots from the slow cooker and transfer to serving dishes.
- Make Gravy: In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Pour the slurry into the slow cooker broth, stirring well. Cook on HIGH for 5-10 minutes until the gravy thickens. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as desired. Serve the gravy alongside the chicken and vegetables.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can marinate the chicken thighs in the spices for up to an hour before searing.
- Browning the chicken before slow cooking adds depth of flavor but can be skipped for a quicker preparation.
- If you prefer a thicker gravy, increase the cornstarch slurry to 4 teaspoons cornstarch and 4 teaspoons water.
- Feel free to swap baby carrots for regular carrots cut into chunks if unavailable.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours (LOW) or 4 hours (HIGH)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: slow cooker chicken, chicken thighs recipe, slow cooker dinner, easy chicken recipe, chicken with potatoes and carrots

