Crockpot Sticky Chicken

Easy crockpot sticky chicken rubbed in a generous amount of flavorful seasonings makes one of the best chicken dinners. You can use either a whole chicken or just chicken breasts for this recipe, and it’s great for meal prepping!

Why this recipe works

This crockpot sticky chicken is one of our all time favorites and it was one of the first recipes I posted on this blog back in 2008! Back then my kids were in grade school and middle school. Now they’re all grown and out working or going to college. My 20 year old still cooks this crockpot chicken in batches and takes it to work for lunch. Now, this isn’t the typical sticky chicken you might think of that includes a thick glaze or sauce, but rather, it gets its name from the sticky residue left on your fingers from the seasonings. It’s quite a simple recipe, focusing on lots of flavorful, easy ingredients that come together without much effort.

I first tried this crockpot chicken recipe back in 2004. It was given to me by a friend I met on a message forum. Who knew this sticky chicken would still be in my recipe arsenal some 22 years later. I should note that this recipe is also awesome if roasted.

CHICKEN DINNERS COOKBOOK!

I don't know about you, but chicken is one of my favorites! It's versatile, easy to make, and absolutely delicious! Get my favorite ways to make chicken for dinner. See ALL my cookbooks here!

20 delicious chicken dinners that your family will rave about! ONLY $9.97!!

Ingredients you will need

CHICKEN – You can use either a whole chicken or simply chicken breasts for this recipe. I’ve made it both ways, and it’s great! We’ve also had readers who’ve had success substituting with boneless chicken thighs. See below for more.

SEASONINGS – This sticky chicken gets its name from the seasoning blend, which tends to stick to your fingers when coating the chicken. A simple combo of paprika, cayenne, onion powder, thyme, white pepper, garlic powder, and black pepper adds a generous punch of flavor.

Chicken Breasts vs Whole Chicken

While this recipe calls for a whole chicken, you can use just chicken breasts instead. We often put 6-8 breasts in the slow cooker for dinner. If you are going to use boneless breasts only, rub each one individually before placing them in the slow cooker.

If you like both dark and white meat then a whole chicken is the way to go. Rub the spice mixture onto the chicken, both inside and out, making sure it is evenly distributed and down deep into the skin. I cut the breast skin open and rub the breast meat as well.

How to Make Crockpot Sticky Chicken

1. In a small bowl, thoroughly combine all the spices.
2. Remove giblets from chicken; clean the cavity well and pat dry with paper towels.
3. Rub the spice mixture into the chicken, both inside and out, making sure it is evenly distributed and down deep into the skin.
4. Place in a re-sealable plastic bag, seal, and refrigerate overnight.
5. Stuff cavity with onions and place in slow cooker. Add chicken broth. (if using breasts, place onions on the bottom of the slow cooker).
6. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
7. Use a turkey baster to remove about a cup of the liquid and place it in a saucepan. Add enough cornstarch (1 tbsp maybe) to thicken it up on low heat, makes a fab gravy!

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

You don’t have to, but I suggest doing so! Allowing the seasoning rub to sit overnight on either a whole chicken or on individual chicken breasts gives the seasonings ample time to penetrate the meat, which in turn makes it a lot more flavorful.

Store any cooled leftovers in an airtight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Serving Suggestions

This recipe includes a quick and easy gravy recipe using the juices from the chicken. You can certainly enjoy it without the gravy if you like or crack open a can of gravy. Whatever works! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

We definitely have some favorite side dishes that go great with this recipe. Using the slow cooker frees up the oven which is ideal for roasted side dishes. Here are several to choose from:

• Rosemary and Garlic Roasted Potatoes
• Pan Roasted Broccoli
• Perfect Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes
• Homemade Baked Beans
• Easy Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese

Ways to use the leftover chicken

Whenever I make this recipe, I purposely make more than I need. The leftover meat is great in enchiladas, quesadillas, nachos, and soup. Whether you make a big batch with the intent of having extra, or you just happen to have leftovers, here are several ways to use that crockpot chicken!

• Chicken Pot Pie
• Chicken and Chile Enchiladas
• Cheesy Chicken and Ham Chowder

If you love slow cooker dishes, try my crockpot roast beef. Or if you’re just looking for another tasty chicken recipe, this Spicy Oven Fried Chicken is always a hit!

This blog post was originally published on October 2, 2008 – updated photos added November 10, 2017