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Crockpot Chicken with Brown Sugar

A delicious and easy-to-make chicken dish that combines sweet brown sugar and savory soy sauce, cooked to perfection in a crockpot.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 6 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Asian
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main ingredients
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs Thighs recommended for rich flavor and tenderness.
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar Use light or dark; darker sugar has more robust flavor.
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce Low-sodium option recommended.
  • 1/4 cup ketchup No-sugar-added ketchup is a healthier option.
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar Substitute with white vinegar or rice vinegar if necessary.
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced Fresh garlic preferred for best flavor.
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger Use fresh ginger if available for better taste.
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper Enhances flavor without heat.
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch Used to thicken the sauce.
  • 2 tablespoons water Combine with cornstarch to make a slurry.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Let the chicken sit out for 15-20 minutes to come to room temperature for even cooking.
  2. Whisk together the brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, ground ginger, and black pepper in a medium-sized bowl until smooth.
  3. Place the chicken thighs in the crockpot in a single layer and pour the sauce mixture over them, ensuring they are evenly coated.
Cooking
  1. Set the crockpot to cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
  2. About halfway through the cooking time, check on the chicken. It should become tender and easily shred with a fork.
  3. 30 minutes before cooking is complete, mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl to create a slurry and stir it into the crockpot to thicken the sauce.
Serving
  1. Once the sauce has thickened, shred the chicken in the crockpot or serve it whole.
  2. Serve over steamed rice or noodles and drizzle extra sauce on top.

Notes

For leftovers, drizzle sauce over steamed vegetables. Marinating the chicken in the sauce overnight enhances its flavor. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.