These Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs with Vegetables are the ultimate comfort meal made easy. Bone-in, skin-on thighs are seared to golden perfection before simmering with baby potatoes, carrots, corn, and red onion in a zesty lemon garlic herb sauce. The result is a juicy, flavorful one-pot dish that’s perfect for lazy Sundays or busy weeknights—and yes, your kitchen will smell amazing!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

4 bone-in chicken thighs (about 1 to 1½ lbs)
1 tsp kosher salt (plus more for seasoning)
¼ tsp black pepper (plus more for seasoning)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup red onion, diced (1″ pieces)
1½ cups carrots, chopped (1″ pieces)
1 lb baby red potatoes, halved or quartered if large
1 ear corn, cut into 4 pieces
2 tbsp garlic, roughly chopped
1¼ cups unsalted chicken stock
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tbsp lemon juice (plus 4 lemon wedges for serving)
4 sprigs fresh thyme
2 sprigs fresh rosemary

Directions

Prepare Chicken: Trim excess skin/fat from thighs. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
Sear Chicken: Heat a large skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear thighs skin-side down for 5 minutes, flip, and cook for another 2 minutes. Transfer to plate.
Layer Vegetables: In a 6-quart slow cooker, layer onions, carrots, potatoes, corn, and garlic. Place seared chicken on top. Add thyme and rosemary.
Mix Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together chicken stock, flour, lemon juice, 1 tsp salt, and ½ tsp pepper. Pour over chicken and vegetables.
Slow Cook: Cover and cook on HIGH for 2–4 hours or LOW for 4–6 hours, until chicken reaches 165°F and potatoes are tender.
Optional – Crisp Skin: To crisp the chicken, place on a foil-lined sheet pan, brush with oil, and broil for 3–7 minutes.
Serve: Plate chicken and vegetables, strain sauce if desired, and serve with lemon wedges and a drizzle of sauce.

Nutrients (Per serving – serves 4)

Calories: 419 kcal
Protein: 27g
Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
Carbohydrates: 36g
- Sugars: 5g
- Fiber: 5g
Cholesterol: 105mg
Sodium: 499mg
Potassium: 241mg
Vitamin A: 8400 IU (168%)
Vitamin C: 11.6mg (14%)
Iron: 1.4mg (8%)
Calcium: 20mg (2%)

Why Bone-In, Skin-On Chicken Thighs Make a Difference

When it comes to slow-cooked chicken, bone-in, skin-on thighs are a game-changer. The bones help retain moisture and deepen flavor as the meat cooks slowly, while the skin adds richness and succulence. Before going into the slow cooker, the thighs are seared until golden brown—this quick step locks in flavor and provides a textural contrast that elevates the finished dish. Even better, the rendered chicken fat mingles with the vegetables and sauce, creating a broth that’s naturally rich without the need for heavy cream or extra butter.

A Flavor-Packed Lemon Garlic Herb Broth

At the heart of this recipe is a lemon garlic herb sauce that infuses every component with bold, zesty flavor. Fresh thyme and rosemary add earthy complexity, while lemon juice brightens the dish and cuts through the richness of the chicken. Garlic provides warmth and depth, mellowing as it cooks and melting into the sauce. This combination results in a broth that is light yet full-bodied, herbal yet fresh—a perfect balance that complements the hearty vegetables and chicken.

The Perfect Mix of Vegetables

This isn’t just a chicken dish—it’s a full meal. The vegetable medley of carrots, baby red potatoes, red onions, garlic, and corn delivers a delightful array of flavors and textures. Carrots offer natural sweetness and a soft bite, while the potatoes become creamy and satisfying as they soak up the broth. Red onions contribute a slight sharpness that softens with cooking, and the corn adds unexpected pops of sweetness and crunch. The slow cooker ensures all the vegetables are evenly cooked, tender, and infused with flavor.

The Magic of Slow Cooking

One of the biggest advantages of using a slow cooker is the ability to develop deep, layered flavors with minimal effort. By cooking the chicken and vegetables slowly over a few hours, you allow time for all the ingredients to meld together. The result is a cohesive, harmonious dish that tastes like it took hours of active labor when it only required minutes of prep. Cooking on LOW results in deeply tender meat and a richer sauce, while the HIGH setting is perfect when you’re pressed for time.

Searing for Extra Flavor

While slow cooking can make almost any dish tender, what it sometimes lacks is the golden, caramelized flavor that comes from browning. That’s why searing the chicken before placing it in the slow cooker is so important. This step creates a crisp skin and adds that extra savory dimension to the final dish. For those who love ultra-crispy chicken skin, the recipe includes an optional broil at the end—just a few minutes under the broiler and the skin becomes irresistibly golden and crunchy.

A Sauce You’ll Want to Drink

The sauce in this dish is made from chicken stock, fresh lemon juice, garlic, and flour, which thickens slightly as it cooks to a silky consistency. It’s light enough not to weigh the dish down but flavorful enough to serve as a perfect companion to both the chicken and the vegetables. When strained before serving, the sauce becomes beautifully smooth and elegant—ideal for drizzling over each plate or sopping up with crusty bread.

Serving Ideas That Elevate the Dish

This dish is a full meal on its own, but it can also be dressed up in several ways. Serve it over a bed of mashed potatoes or buttery polenta for extra comfort. Add a slice of warm, crusty sourdough to soak up the broth. For a fresh contrast, pair it with a side salad of arugula and shaved Parmesan dressed in a lemon vinaigrette. It’s also easy to transform leftovers—shred the chicken and serve it in wraps or grain bowls with the vegetables and sauce.

Nutrition and Health Benefits

Each serving of this dish is packed with wholesome ingredients. At about 419 calories per serving, it’s a nourishing option that fits into most meal plans. The chicken provides high-quality protein and essential vitamins like B12 and niacin. Potatoes and carrots add dietary fiber and potassium, while the lemon juice boosts vitamin C. The olive oil and chicken skin contribute to healthy fats in moderation. With no added sugar, minimal saturated fat, and a generous dose of vegetables, this dish is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to eat well without sacrificing comfort.

Tips for Best Results

For the best texture and flavor, make sure to use fresh herbs and high-quality chicken stock. Don’t skip the searing step, and avoid overcrowding your skillet—give the chicken space to develop a proper crust. When layering your slow cooker, place the vegetables at the bottom so they cook evenly and absorb the chicken’s juices. If you find your sauce is too thin at the end, you can transfer it to a saucepan and reduce it for a few minutes until it reaches the desired consistency.

Conclusion

Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs with Vegetables is the kind of recipe that makes you wonder why you ever stressed over dinner in the first place. It’s easy to make, incredibly flavorful, and delivers the kind of slow-cooked goodness you crave on chilly days or hectic weeknights. With juicy chicken, perfectly tender vegetables, and a lemon herb sauce that ties it all together, this one-pot wonder is a true kitchen workhorse. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week, feeding a hungry family, or simply treating yourself to a homemade comfort meal, this dish delivers big on flavor and ease. Once you try it, it’s bound to become a regular in your dinner rotation.