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–+ servings
Close-up of perfectly cooked, dark-spiced slow cooker chicken recipes drumsticks resting in a rich, savory sauce with onions.

The Only Chicken Recipes Recipe You’ll Need (2025)

This slow cooker chicken recipe simplifies dinner preparation for busy families. You can achieve tender, flavorful chicken with minimal effort, making it a great option for weeknights or special occasions.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 2 pounds dark meat chicken pieces (drumsticks or mixed)
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp complete seasoning
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • to taste Salt and pepper
  • 2 tbsp Italian dressing
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tbsp adobo seasoning
  • 1 tbsp garlic paste for slow cooker
  • 1 tbsp hoisin sauce or worcheshire sauce
  • 1 sprig Fresh rosemary
  • 1 sprig Fresh thyme
  • 1 scallion broken into thirds
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 1 white onion sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper sliced
For Gravy
  • 1 tbsp flour
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 white onion sliced
  • 2 cups strained gravy from slow cooker

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker
  • Large bowl
  • Skillet
  • Baking pan

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, season the chicken with olive oil, onion powder, garlic powder, complete seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, adobo seasoning, and Italian dressing. Toss to coat the chicken evenly.
  2. Add the seasoned chicken to the slow cooker. Top with garlic paste, hoisin sauce, fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, scallions, 1 diced onion, sliced green bell pepper, and butter.
  3. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours. Do not add extra liquid; the chicken will release its own juices.
  4. After 4 hours, carefully remove the chicken and put it in a baking pan.
  5. Strain the cooking liquid and set it aside.
  6. In a skillet, add olive oil and sauté onions until soft, about 2 minutes.
  7. Add flour, mix it well, and then slowly pour in the reserved liquid from the slow cooker.
  8. Mix the gravy well and bring it to a simmer for about 5 minutes.
  9. Pour the gravy over the chicken in the baking pan. Broil on high for 5 minutes to caramelize the top.
  10. Serve the chicken hot with your preferred sides.

Notes

This recipe produces very tender chicken that falls off the bone. If you are sensitive to gluten, check your seasoning labels to confirm they are safe for your needs.

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