SLOW COOKER CHICKEN THIGHS WITH VEGETABLES RECIPES

Steps:

• Spray round 4-quart slow cooker with cooking spray.
• In 2-quart saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion; cook 4 to 6 minutes or until softened.
• Add garlic, chili powder and pepper flakes; cook and stir 1 minute. Add ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and mustard; heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; simmer uncovered 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat. Add 1/2 cup of the sauce to slow cooker; cover and refrigerate remaining sauce.
• Season chicken with salt; added to slow cooker. Toss chicken with sauce in slow cooker to coat. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 3 hours and 30 minutes to 4 hours or until chicken is cooked through (at least 165°F).
• Drain liquid from slow cooker; discard liquid. Pour reserved sauce over chicken; toss to coat. Increase to High heat setting. Cover; cook 15 to 20 minutes or until hot.

Steps:

• Make rub for chicken. Combine mustard, 1 teaspoon of the lemon zest, oregano, thyme, 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 2 teaspoons of the olive oil in a small bowl. Use fingers or a brush to coat chicken on both sides with the mustard rub.
• In another bowl or measuring jug, combine remaining lemon zest (2 teaspoons), lemon juice and the chicken stock. Set aside. Note: Both the chicken and lemon-chicken stock mixture can be prepared up to one day in advance. Cover both and keep in the refrigerator.
• Heat remaining teaspoon of oil in a large oven-safe skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Add the chicken, skin-side down, and cook 3 to 5 minutes or until the skin has turned golden brown and some fat has rendered.
• Transfer the browned chicken to a slow cooker and arrange in one layer with the skin facing up. Cover with lid then cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours or until the chicken is cooked through. Save the skillet with drippings for making the sauce.
• Remove all but 2 tablespoons of fat from the skillet used to brown the chicken. If there is not enough fat, add butter so that 2 tablespoons of fat are in the pan.
• Place over medium heat until hot then whisk in the flour. Continue to whisk until the flour and fat turn into a smooth paste and look medium blonde in color; about 1 minute. Pour in the lemon juice-stock mixture and whisk until smooth.
• Bring the sauce to a low simmer. As it simmers, it thickens and becomes glossy. Transfer to a jar or measuring jug and refrigerate for when the chicken is cooked.
• When the chicken is done, it will be sitting in an inch or so of cooking liquid and rendered fat. Transfer the chicken to a plate then skim as much fat from the liquid as possible. There should be almost 2 cups of liquid left in the slow cooker.
• Warm the lemon gravy made earlier then add the lemon gravy to the slow cooker and stir until blended. Place the chicken thighs back into the slow cooker for serving or serve with the gravy drizzled on top.