Slow Cooker Maple Dijon Chicken Thighs Simple Recipe

September 29, 2025 by Hazel

Ready for a meal that’s tasty and easy? This Slow Cooker Maple Dijon Chicken Thighs recipe combines sweet maple syrup and zesty Dijon mustard for a dish you’ll love. I’ll walk you through each step, ensuring your chicken turns out juicy and full of flavor. Whether you’re a busy parent or a novice cook, this simple recipe is perfect for you. Let’s dive into the ingredients and get started!

Ingredients

To make Slow Cooker Maple Dijon Chicken Thighs, gather these ingredients:

4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon olive oil
Fresh thyme sprigs for garnish

These ingredients create a tasty blend of sweet and tangy flavors. The chicken thighs add rich taste and texture. Maple syrup gives a sweet layer, while Dijon mustard adds a nice kick. Garlic and thyme boost the flavor even more.

Make sure to use pure maple syrup. It offers the best taste. Pairing the chicken with fresh thyme sprigs makes it look beautiful on the plate. This dish is not just about flavor; it’s also about presentation.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparation Steps

First, pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. This helps the skin get crispy. Next, season both sides with salt and pepper. Generous seasoning adds flavor. In a large bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, dried thyme, and chicken broth. Mix well until all is combined. This sauce will add a rich taste to the chicken.

Searing the Chicken

Now, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully sear the chicken thighs skin-side down. Cook for about 4-5 minutes until the skin turns golden brown. This step locks in flavor. After that, flip the chicken and sear the other side for an additional 2-3 minutes. This gives the chicken a nice crust.

Slow Cooking Process

Transfer the seared chicken thighs to the slow cooker. Pour the maple Dijon sauce over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well coated. Cover the slow cooker and set it on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Check the doneness before serving. The chicken should be tender and cooked through. Enjoy the ease of slow cooking with this delicious dish!

Tips & Tricks

Tips for Perfectly Cooked Chicken

Importance of seasoning: Season your chicken well. Use salt and pepper generously. This step adds flavor and helps the chicken taste great.
Searing for flavor and texture: Sear the chicken thighs in olive oil. This step creates a crispy skin and adds depth to the dish. Sear for about 4-5 minutes on the skin side. Flip it and sear for 2-3 minutes more.

Sauce Thickening Method

How to thicken the sauce post-cooking: If you want a thicker sauce, transfer it to a saucepan after cooking. Bring the sauce to a boil over medium heat. Let it simmer for a few minutes. This method helps concentrate the flavors and gives the sauce a nice texture.

Presentation Ideas

Garnishing and serving suggestions: Drizzle the thickened sauce over the chicken thighs. Use fresh thyme sprigs for garnish. This adds color and freshness to the dish. Serve it on a nice plate for a perfect meal.

Variations

Ingredient Substitutions

You can switch chicken thighs for chicken breasts or drumsticks. Both will work well in this recipe. If you prefer a leaner option, turkey thighs make a great substitute.

For the sauce, you can use honey instead of maple syrup. This will give the dish a different sweetness. If you want a bit of heat, add a dash of hot sauce or some red pepper flakes. You can also swap out Dijon mustard for whole grain mustard for a chunkier texture.

Serving Suggestions

This dish pairs well with many sides. Consider serving it with creamy mashed potatoes or fluffy rice. Roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad also work great.

For drinks, a light white wine like Sauvignon Blanc complements the flavors nicely. If you prefer non-alcoholic options, try sparkling water with a slice of lemon. This adds a refreshing contrast to the rich chicken.

Storage Info

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Slow Cooker Maple Dijon Chicken Thighs fresh, use airtight containers. This method helps seal in moisture and flavors. You can store the chicken in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing it. The chicken can stay in the freezer for about 2 to 3 months without losing taste.

Reheating Instructions

When reheating, the goal is to keep the chicken juicy. You can use the microwave or the oven. If using a microwave, heat in short bursts at medium power. This method warms the chicken evenly. If you prefer the oven, set it to 350°F (175°C). Cover the chicken with foil to prevent drying out. Warm it for about 15-20 minutes. For added flavor, drizzle a bit of the sauce over the chicken as it reheats. This step will help maintain the delicious taste and texture you loved initially.

FAQs

How long does it take to cook Slow Cooker Maple Dijon Chicken Thighs?

It takes about 6 to 7 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high. The chicken becomes very tender during this time. You want it to reach an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.

Can I make this recipe in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the sauce and season the chicken the night before. Just store them in the fridge. In the morning, you can put everything in the slow cooker. This makes your meal prep easier.

What should I serve with chicken thighs?

I recommend serving the chicken with rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted veggies. These sides soak up the sauce well. You can also serve a simple salad for some freshness on the side.

Can I freeze the Slow Cooker Maple Dijon Chicken Thighs?

Absolutely! You can freeze the cooked chicken and sauce. Just let it cool, then store it in an airtight container. It will last for about 3 months in the freezer.

What can I substitute if I don’t have Dijon mustard?

If you don’t have Dijon mustard, you can use whole-grain mustard or yellow mustard. Both options will still give you a nice flavor boost. You can also mix in a bit of honey for sweetness.

This article covered how to make Slow Cooker Maple Dijon Chicken Thighs. We explored the ingredients needed, the step-by-step cooking process, and tips for perfect results. I shared variations to customize your dish and provided storage options for leftovers.

In summary, this recipe is simple, delicious, and versatile. Enjoy experimenting with flavors, and remember to have fun while cooking!

$To make Slow Cooker Maple Dijon Chicken Thighs, gather these ingredients: - 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs - 1/2 cup pure maple syrup - 1/4 cup Dijon mustard - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar - 1 teaspoon dried thyme - Salt and pepper to taste - 1 cup chicken broth - 1 tablespoon olive oil - Fresh thyme sprigs for garnish These ingredients create a tasty blend of sweet and tangy flavors. The chicken thighs add rich taste and texture. Maple syrup gives a sweet layer, while Dijon mustard adds a nice kick. Garlic and thyme boost the flavor even more. Make sure to use pure maple syrup. It offers the best taste. Pairing the chicken with fresh thyme sprigs makes it look beautiful on the plate. This dish is not just about flavor; it’s also about presentation. First, pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. This helps the skin get crispy. Next, season both sides with salt and pepper. Generous seasoning adds flavor. In a large bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, dried thyme, and chicken broth. Mix well until all is combined. This sauce will add a rich taste to the chicken. Now, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully sear the chicken thighs skin-side down. Cook for about 4-5 minutes until the skin turns golden brown. This step locks in flavor. After that, flip the chicken and sear the other side for an additional 2-3 minutes. This gives the chicken a nice crust. Transfer the seared chicken thighs to the slow cooker. Pour the maple Dijon sauce over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well coated. Cover the slow cooker and set it on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Check the doneness before serving. The chicken should be tender and cooked through. Enjoy the ease of slow cooking with this delicious dish! - Importance of seasoning: Season your chicken well. Use salt and pepper generously. This step adds flavor and helps the chicken taste great. - Searing for flavor and texture: Sear the chicken thighs in olive oil. This step creates a crispy skin and adds depth to the dish. Sear for about 4-5 minutes on the skin side. Flip it and sear for 2-3 minutes more. - How to thicken the sauce post-cooking: If you want a thicker sauce, transfer it to a saucepan after cooking. Bring the sauce to a boil over medium heat. Let it simmer for a few minutes. This method helps concentrate the flavors and gives the sauce a nice texture. - Garnishing and serving suggestions: Drizzle the thickened sauce over the chicken thighs. Use fresh thyme sprigs for garnish. This adds color and freshness to the dish. Serve it on a nice plate for a perfect meal. {{image_2}} You can switch chicken thighs for chicken breasts or drumsticks. Both will work well in this recipe. If you prefer a leaner option, turkey thighs make a great substitute. For the sauce, you can use honey instead of maple syrup. This will give the dish a different sweetness. If you want a bit of heat, add a dash of hot sauce or some red pepper flakes. You can also swap out Dijon mustard for whole grain mustard for a chunkier texture. This dish pairs well with many sides. Consider serving it with creamy mashed potatoes or fluffy rice. Roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad also work great. For drinks, a light white wine like Sauvignon Blanc complements the flavors nicely. If you prefer non-alcoholic options, try sparkling water with a slice of lemon. This adds a refreshing contrast to the rich chicken. To keep your Slow Cooker Maple Dijon Chicken Thighs fresh, use airtight containers. This method helps seal in moisture and flavors. You can store the chicken in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing it. The chicken can stay in the freezer for about 2 to 3 months without losing taste. When reheating, the goal is to keep the chicken juicy. You can use the microwave or the oven. If using a microwave, heat in short bursts at medium power. This method warms the chicken evenly. If you prefer the oven, set it to 350°F (175°C). Cover the chicken with foil to prevent drying out. Warm it for about 15-20 minutes. For added flavor, drizzle a bit of the sauce over the chicken as it reheats. This step will help maintain the delicious taste and texture you loved initially. It takes about 6 to 7 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high. The chicken becomes very tender during this time. You want it to reach an internal temperature of 165°F for safety. Yes, you can prepare the sauce and season the chicken the night before. Just store them in the fridge. In the morning, you can put everything in the slow cooker. This makes your meal prep easier. I recommend serving the chicken with rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted veggies. These sides soak up the sauce well. You can also serve a simple salad for some freshness on the side. Absolutely! You can freeze the cooked chicken and sauce. Just let it cool, then store it in an airtight container. It will last for about 3 months in the freezer. If you don't have Dijon mustard, you can use whole-grain mustard or yellow mustard. Both options will still give you a nice flavor boost. You can also mix in a bit of honey for sweetness. This article covered how to make Slow Cooker Maple Dijon Chicken Thighs. We explored the ingredients needed, the step-by-step cooking process, and tips for perfect results. I shared variations to customize your dish and provided storage options for leftovers. In summary, this recipe is simple, delicious, and versatile. Enjoy experimenting with flavors, and remember to have fun while cooking!$