Description
Creamy, comforting crock pot smothered chicken delivers southern-style warmth straight to dinner tables. Hearty ingredients meld together, creating a soul-satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) chicken thighs (4–6 bone in or boneless thighs)
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 1 small yellow onion, sliced
- 4 stalks kale, sliced into thin ribbons (approximately 2 cups)
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced (optional)
Seasonings and Thickeners:
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon Lawry’s or your favorite seasoning
- 3/4 cup (177 milliliters) low sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) whole milk
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
Instructions
- Prepare a seasoned flour coating by blending selected spices into the flour mixture. Thoroughly dredge each chicken thigh, ensuring an even, light dusting while shaking off excess powder to create a perfect base for sauce thickening.
- Arrange floured chicken pieces across the bottom of the slow cooker, creating a uniform layer. Distribute sliced onions and mushrooms evenly over the chicken, then gently pour chicken broth to cover the base of the cooking vessel.
- Carefully spread fresh kale leaves atop the ingredients, creating a protective green layer. Secure the lid and set the slow cooker to low temperature for 6 hours or high temperature for 3 hours, monitoring doneness by checking the internal chicken temperature reaches 165ºF.
- Create a smooth thickening agent by whisking milk and cornstarch until completely integrated. Briefly heat the mixture in the microwave for 30-45 seconds to accelerate sauce development, then incorporate into the slow cooker, stirring until achieving a silky, consistent texture.
- Gently reintroduce chicken pieces into the creamy sauce, rotating to ensure complete coating. Allow the meat to rest momentarily, absorbing the rich, flavorful liquid and enhancing overall dish complexity.
- Plate the chicken, generously spooning additional sauce and tender kale leaves over the top. Serve immediately while maintaining optimal temperature and sauce consistency.
Notes
- Pat chicken dry before flouring to ensure a crisp, even coating that helps sauce adhere perfectly.
- Use bone-in chicken thighs for richer flavor and more tender meat that won’t dry out during slow cooking.
- Opt for low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels and prevent the dish from becoming too salty.
- Replace cornstarch with arrowroot powder for a gluten-free thickening option that works equally well in the sauce.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg