Slow Cooker Chicken with Bacon, Mushrooms & Pearl Onions – A Cozy Classic Made Easy
There’s nothing quite like a warm, hearty chicken dish that simmers all day and fills your home with incredible aromas. This Slow Cooker Chicken with Bacon, Mushrooms, and Pearl Onions is rich, rustic, and full of comforting flavors. Perfect for weeknight dinners or laid-back gatherings, it’s the kind of dish that tastes like you’ve been cooking for hours—because your slow cooker has!
🧄 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Flavor-packed layers – golden seared chicken, crispy bacon, savory mushrooms, and sweet pearl onions.
- Slow cooker ease – minimal effort, maximum flavor.
- Classic comfort food – reminiscent of French coq au vin, but easier and just as satisfying.
🍗 Ingredients
- 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 cup frozen pearl onions
- 4 thick slices of bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 10 oz mushrooms, quartered
- ¼ cup flour
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1¾ cups chicken broth (or low-sodium vegetable broth)
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
🍲 Instructions
1. Prep the Chicken
Pat chicken thighs dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.
2. Sear the Chicken
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken skin-side down and cook until the skin is golden brown, 7–10 minutes. Transfer chicken (skin-side up) to your slow cooker. Add frozen pearl onions on top.
3. Crisp the Bacon
In the same skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside on paper towels. Leave about ¼ cup of bacon/chicken fat in the skillet.
4. Sauté the Mushrooms
Add mushrooms to the skillet and sauté until browned, about 5–7 minutes.
5. Build the Sauce
Stir in flour, tomato paste, garlic, and thyme. Cook for 1 minute to combine. Gradually pour in the broth, stirring constantly until it simmers and thickens slightly.
6. Slow Cook
Pour the sauce over the chicken and onions in the slow cooker. Cover and cook:
- 4–6 hours on high, or
- 6–8 hours on low, until chicken is fall-off-the-bone tender.
7. Serve & Garnish
Transfer chicken to a serving dish, spoon the rich mushroom sauce on top, and finish with crispy bacon and chopped parsley.
👨🍳 Pro Tips
- Want more depth? Use red wine in place of part of the broth.
- Prefer boneless? You can use boneless chicken thighs, but bone-in gives more flavor.
- Serve it with: Creamy mashed potatoes, crusty bread, or buttered egg noodles.
📸 Perfect for Sharing
This dish is hearty, homey, and visually stunning—especially with those golden chicken thighs and vibrant herbs. It’s perfect for your next social media dinner post!
📌 Save This Recipe
Whether you’re feeding the family or impressing guests, this slow cooker chicken recipe is one to keep on repeat.