There's something so comforting about a dish that simmers away all day, filling your home with cozy aromas and delivering tender, juicy results. This Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Carrots Recipe does exactly that—effortless, hearty, and downright satisfying every single time.

The image shows a black slow cooker filled with seven golden-brown chicken thighs placed on top of a mix of small, round red and white potatoes and bright orange baby carrots. The chicken pieces have a crispy, slightly charred texture, with a mix of light and dark brown spots, and the vegetables underneath have smooth, shiny surfaces partially covered in a clear broth. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Carrots Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Carrots Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Carrots Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This slow cooker dish quickly became one of my favorites because it feels like a warm hug on a plate and requires almost no babysitting. I love how the chicken thighs stay perfectly moist while the potatoes and carrots soak up all those rich flavors.

Hands-off cooking: Just prep, set it, and forget it until dinner—ideal for busy days.
Deep, smoky flavor: The smoked paprika adds a fantastic depth that wakes up the dish.
One-pot meal: Chicken, potatoes, and carrots all cook together, simplifying cleanup.
Versatile and forgiving: Easy to tweak depending on what you have on hand or your taste.

A white bowl filled with three main layers: at the bottom, soft baby red potatoes, some whole and some sliced in half, showing their light yellow insides; on top of the potatoes, bright orange cooked baby carrots mixed with translucent cooked onion slices; in front, two pieces of browned, crispy chicken with a golden, slightly charred skin. The whole dish is sprinkled with fresh green chopped parsley, adding a fresh touch. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Getting the right ingredients for this recipe is straightforward, but each plays a crucial role. The combination of tender chicken thighs with earthy potatoes and sweet carrots creates a perfect harmony, while the seasoning and broth tie everything together into a luscious gravy.

Flat lay of boneless skinless chicken thighs with a natural pink tone, a small mound of bright orange smoked paprika powder, two whole uncracked brown eggs beside a small white ceramic bowl of golden olive oil, halved baby red potatoes showing their creamy interiors, a cluster of fresh slender baby carrots with green tops trimmed, a medium red onion quartered to show vibrant purple layers, three whole garlic cloves unpeeled, a small white ceramic bowl filled with clear golden chicken broth, and a tiny white bowl with a pale white cornstarch powder next to another small white bowl of clear water, all arranged symmetrically with perfect proportions on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs: They stay juicy and tender during long cooking, way better than breasts for slow cookers.
Smoked paprika: It adds a subtle smoky warmth that makes all the difference, especially with simple ingredients.
Baby red potatoes: These cook evenly and hold their shape without falling apart.
Baby carrots: Naturally sweet and tender, they complement the savory chicken beautifully.
Red onion: Adds a mild, aromatic base without overpowering the dish.
Garlic: Essential for that aromatic backbone layering the flavors.
Chicken broth: Supplies moisture and creates a rich, flavorful cooking liquid that becomes gravy.
Olive oil: Helps with searing the chicken to lock in juices and develop color.
Cornstarch & water: Used to thicken the broth into a glossy gravy at the end.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I often play around with this Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Carrots Recipe depending on the season or what’s in my pantry. Customizing it makes it feel fresh every time, and honestly, that’s part of the fun!

Variation: I sometimes swap baby carrots for parsnips or add pearl onions for a slightly different texture and sweetness—both work wonderfully.
Spice it up: Adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or some fresh thyme brightens the flavors if you like a little herbal aroma or heat.
Make it creamier: Stirring in a splash of cream or sour cream at the end gives a rich twist you might enjoy on colder days.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Carrots Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Season the Chicken

Start by trimming any excess fat from your chicken thighs and pat them dry—this helps the seasoning stick better. I mix the smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a bowl, then toss the chicken until every piece is nicely coated. This simple but flavorful rub sets the tone for the whole dish.

Step 2: Layer the Veggies in the Slow Cooker

Halve the baby red potatoes to make sure they cook evenly, chop the onion, and mince the garlic. Toss all these into the bottom of your 6-quart slow cooker along with the baby carrots. This veggie "bed" absorbs the juices and gives you that perfect tender texture.

Step 3: Sear the Chicken for Extra Flavor

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the chicken thighs 3-4 minutes per side. This step might seem extra, but trust me—it seals in the juices and adds a beautiful color and smoky flavor that the slow cooker alone can’t achieve. Don’t crowd the pan; do it in batches if needed.

Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection

Place the seared chicken right on top of the veggies, pour in the chicken broth, cover, and let it work its magic. Cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 4 hours. The slow cooker does the heavy lifting here, so you can get on with your day.

Step 5: Finish with a Delicious Gravy

When your timer goes off, carefully lift the chicken, potatoes, and carrots out into serving dishes. Mix cornstarch and water to create a slurry, then stir it into the slow cooker juices to thicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste. This velvety gravy is the finishing touch that makes this meal unforgettable.

Top Tip

From my experience, a few small tweaks go a long way in making this recipe foolproof and downright delicious. Here are some tips I wish I’d known the first time I made it.

Searing is worth the effort: It adds flavor and locks moisture in the chicken, so don't skip it even if you're in a hurry.
Don't overcrowd the slow cooker: Give the chicken enough space to cook evenly without steaming.
Use cornstarch slurry carefully: Whisk slowly into the broth over low heat to avoid lumps and get a glossy gravy.
Adjust salt at the end: Broth and paprika bring saltiness, so taste before adding more!

How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Carrots Recipe

slow cooker chicken thighs - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love sprinkling fresh chopped parsley or thyme leaves over the top—it brightens the rich flavors and adds a fresh hint. A little squeeze of lemon juice can also lift the dish if you want a touch of acidity.

Side Dishes

This meal is plenty filling on its own, but serving it alongside a crisp green salad or steamed green beans adds some variety and crunch. Sometimes, I also serve crusty bread for mopping up all that amazing gravy.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special family dinner, I arrange the chicken on a rustic platter surrounded by colorful roasted vegetables. You can garnish with edible flowers or fresh herb sprigs for a beautiful, inviting centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I transfer leftovers into airtight containers and store them in the fridge. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making the next-day meal taste even better!

Freezing

This recipe freezes beautifully—you can pack individual portions of chicken and vegetables along with a bit of gravy in freezer-safe containers. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers gently on the stove over low to medium heat to keep the chicken tender and prevent drying out. Adding a splash of broth or water helps loosen the gravy if it thickened too much in the fridge.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

While you can substitute chicken breasts, they tend to dry out more easily in a slow cooker. Thighs give you more forgiving, juicier results that are perfect for this recipe.

Do I have to sear the chicken first?

Searing the chicken before adding it to the slow cooker isn’t mandatory, but it makes a huge flavor difference and helps seal in moisture. If you’re short on time, you can skip this step, but I really recommend it if you can.

Can I add other vegetables to the slow cooker?

Absolutely! Vegetables like parsnips, celery, or pearl onions all work wonderfully and add their own twist. Just make sure to adjust cooking times if you add anything that cooks quicker or slower than root vegetables.

How do I thicken the gravy if I don’t have cornstarch?

You can use flour mixed with cold water as a substitute to make a slurry, or reduce the broth by simmering it on the stove to concentrate it. Both methods produce a lovely gravy consistency without cornstarch.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Carrots Recipe is more than just dinner—it’s an easy, comforting experience that feels like home. I keep coming back to it because it delivers satisfying flavors with minimal effort, which, let's be honest, is exactly what we all want on busy days. Give it a try—you might just find your new go-to family favorite.