Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, but chicken breasts tend to dry out in the slow cooker. If using breasts, reduce the cooking time by about an hour and check frequently with a meat thermometer for doneness at 165°F. Consider using bone-in chicken breasts which retain moisture better during long cooking.

Is 40 cloves of garlic really necessary? Won't it be overpowering?

The magic of this dish is how the slow cooking process transforms the garlic from sharp and pungent to sweet and mellow. The garlic becomes incredibly soft and loses its bite, instead creating a rich, complex flavor base that's surprisingly subtle. Trust the process – it's worth every clove!

Can I make this without wine?

Absolutely! Simply replace the wine with additional chicken broth and add a tablespoon of lemon juice or white wine vinegar to provide that slight acidity that balances the dish. The flavor profile will be slightly different but still delicious.

My sauce is too thin. How can I thicken it?

If you'd like a thicker sauce, remove the chicken after cooking and keep it warm. Transfer the liquid to a saucepan and simmer until reduced by about one-third. Alternatively, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water, then stir this slurry into the sauce and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes until thickened.

Crockpot 40 Clove Garlic Chicken Recipe

This incredible Crockpot 40 Clove Garlic Chicken transforms simple ingredients into a masterpiece of flavor with minimal effort. The slow cooking process mellows the garlic into sweet, tender morsels that infuse the chicken with rich, aromatic flavor. Perfect for busy weeknights or weekend dinner parties, this dish practically cooks itself while filling your home with mouthwatering aromas that will have everyone asking what’s for dinner!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Hands-off Cooking: Once you’ve done the initial prep, your slow cooker takes over, freeing you up to handle other tasks while dinner cooks itself.
Incredible Flavor Transformation: Don’t let the 40 cloves scare you! The slow cooking process transforms the garlic from pungent to mellow and sweet, creating an incredible sauce that’s surprisingly not overpowering.
Impressive Yet Simple: This dish looks and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, but requires minimal active cooking time. It’s perfect for impressing guests without breaking a sweat.
Budget-Friendly: Chicken thighs are not only more flavorful than breasts but also typically more affordable, making this a restaurant-quality meal that won’t break the bank.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Chicken Thighs: Boneless, skinless thighs are the star of the show, offering rich flavor and staying juicy through the long cooking process. They’re nearly impossible to overcook in the slow cooker.
Garlic: Yes, 40 cloves! Don’t be intimidated – they mellow beautifully during cooking, transforming into soft, spreadable, sweet morsels that you’ll be fighting over.
Fresh Herbs: Thyme and rosemary infuse the dish with aromatic flavors that complement the garlic perfectly. They take this dish from good to magnificent.
Flour: Creates a light coating on the chicken that helps thicken the sauce as it cooks, giving you that perfect consistency without extra steps.
White Wine: Adds depth and brightness to the sauce. Choose something dry that you’d enjoy drinking – the flavor concentrates as it cooks.
Chicken Broth: Forms the base of the silky sauce, working with the wine to create the perfect medium for the flavors to meld.
Olive Oil: Used for searing the chicken to develop those beautiful brown bits that add tremendous flavor to the final dish.
Salt and Pepper: Simple seasonings that enhance all the other flavors without complicating things.

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.

Variations

Herb Variations

Swap the thyme and rosemary for tarragon and parsley for a lighter, more spring-like version, or add sage for a deeper, earthier flavor profile that’s perfect for fall.

Add Vegetables

Transform this into a complete one-pot meal by adding mushrooms, carrots, or baby potatoes to the slow cooker. They’ll soak up the amazing garlic sauce and cook alongside the chicken.

Creamy Version

Stir in 1/4 cup of heavy cream or crème fraîche during the last 30 minutes of cooking for a richer, more indulgent sauce that’s fantastic spooned over mashed potatoes.

Lemon Brightness

Add lemon zest and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving to brighten all the flavors and cut through the richness of the dish.

How to Make Crockpot 40 Clove Garlic Chicken

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Combine flour, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl. Dredge each chicken thigh thoroughly in the mixture, ensuring they’re completely coated. This not only seasons the chicken but helps create a velvety sauce as it cooks.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Carefully place the dredged chicken thighs in the hot pan and sear until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding, which can prevent proper browning.

Step 3: Prepare the Garlic and Herbs

After removing the chicken, add all those beautiful garlic cloves to the same pan along with the chopped thyme and rosemary. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the garlic begins to take on some color, releasing its aromatic oils.

Step 4: Deglaze the Pan

Pour the white wine and chicken broth into the hot pan, scraping vigorously with a wooden spoon to loosen all those flavorful brown bits from the bottom. This step is crucial for developing depth of flavor in the final dish.

Step 5: Slow Cook

Transfer the seared chicken to your slow cooker, then pour the entire garlic and herb mixture, including all the liquid, over the top. Cover and cook on high for 4-6 hours or on low for 6-8 hours, until the chicken is fall-apart tender and registers 165°F internally.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Don’t Peel All That Garlic: Save time by purchasing pre-peeled garlic cloves, often available in the produce section, or use the garlic shake method (place cloves in a closed container and shake vigorously) to make peeling easier.
Brown for Flavor: Don’t skip the searing step! It develops a deep flavor foundation that slow cooking alone can’t achieve.
Wine Selection Matters: Use a wine you’d actually drink. A crisp Sauvignon Blanc or unoaked Chardonnay works beautifully.
Check Doneness Early: Slow cookers vary in temperature, so start checking after the minimum cooking time to prevent overcooking.
Thicken If Needed: If you prefer a thicker sauce, transfer some of the cooking liquid to a small saucepan and reduce it over medium heat before serving, or mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water and stir it into the hot slow cooker 30 minutes before finishing.

How to Serve

This magnificent 40 Clove Garlic Chicken practically begs to be served over something that can soak up its delicious sauce:

Perfect Pairings

Serve over mashed potatoes, creamy polenta, or buttered egg noodles to capture every drop of the ambrosial garlic sauce.

Bread is Essential

Offer crusty French bread on the side for scooping up those soft, spreadable garlic cloves – they’re like buttery garlic spread that’s incredible smeared on bread.

Complete the Meal

A simple green vegetable like steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus, or a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette provides the perfect contrast to the rich, savory chicken.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place cooled chicken and sauce in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavor actually improves overnight as the garlic continues to meld with the sauce.

Freezing

This dish freezes beautifully! Store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. The texture of the garlic may change slightly but will still be delicious.

Reheating

For best results, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently in a covered saucepan over medium-low heat until warmed through. Add a splash of chicken broth if the sauce needs thinning. Alternatively, microwave individual portions at 70% power, stirring occasionally.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, but chicken breasts tend to dry out in the slow cooker. If using breasts, reduce the cooking time by about an hour and check frequently with a meat thermometer for doneness at 165°F. Consider using bone-in chicken breasts which retain moisture better during long cooking.
Is 40 cloves of garlic really necessary? Won’t it be overpowering?

The magic of this dish is how the slow cooking process transforms the garlic from sharp and pungent to sweet and mellow. The garlic becomes incredibly soft and loses its bite, instead creating a rich, complex flavor base that’s surprisingly subtle. Trust the process – it’s worth every clove!
Can I make this without wine?

Absolutely! Simply replace the wine with additional chicken broth and add a tablespoon of lemon juice or white wine vinegar to provide that slight acidity that balances the dish. The flavor profile will be slightly different but still delicious.
My sauce is too thin. How can I thicken it?

If you’d like a thicker sauce, remove the chicken after cooking and keep it warm. Transfer the liquid to a saucepan and simmer until reduced by about one-third. Alternatively, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water, then stir this slurry into the sauce and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes until thickened.

Final Thoughts

This Crockpot 40 Clove Garlic Chicken is one of those magical recipes that transforms humble ingredients into something extraordinary. The first time you make it, you might question adding so much garlic, but you’ll become a believer once you taste the mellow, sweet results. It’s the perfect blend of impressive and effortless – exactly the kind of recipe to keep in your back pocket for busy weeknights and special occasions alike. Give it a try this week – your taste buds (and anyone lucky enough to join you for dinner) will thank you!