Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Slow cooked lemon chicken thighs with balsamic onions and sweet potato mash in a grey blue bowl on a wooden chopping board

Slow Cooked Lemon Chicken with Balsamic Onion and Sweet Potato Mash

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4 from 1 review

This is one of the best recipes from a perspective of how much time it take, Vs how nourished you’ll be.  The chicken is fall off the bone tender and will be ready when you come home from work.  Then you’ll take 15 minutes to whip up some sweet potato mash and you’re good to go.

  • Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 2 people 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Chicken

  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1 lemon (juiced)
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp tallow (or swap for olive oil + a knob of butter)
  • 1 brown onion (diced)
  • 2 tsp balsamic vinegar

For the Sweet Potato Mash

  • 350g sweet potato (peeled and cut into chunks)
  • 50g butter
  • 2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
  • Optional: a pinch of black pepper

Instructions

  1. Prep the Chicken: Grab a medium bowl and toss your chicken thighs in. Squeeze the juice of one lemon over them, then sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Give it a quick mix so every thigh gets some love.

    Skin-on chicken thighs with lemon, pepper and salt in a silver bowl

  2. Sear for Flavour: Heat a pan over medium-high heat and melt the tallow (or olive oil and butter). Place the chicken thighs in, skin side down. Let them sear for 3-4 minutes until the skin gets golden and crispy. This step locks in flavour—don’t skip it!
    Searing skin-on chicken thighs in a cast iron pan

  3. Slow Cooker Time: Transfer those beauties to your slow cooker, skin side up. Keep the pan on the stove but turn the heat down to medium.

    Seared skin-on chicken thighs in a slow cooker before cooking

  4. Onion Magic: Dice your brown onion and toss it into the same pan. Cook for 3-5 minutes until soft and fragrant. Pour in the balsamic vinegar to deglaze the pan—scrape up all those tasty browned bits! Spoon the onions and pan juices over the chicken in the slow cooker.

    Diced onions cooking in tallow in a cast iron pan.

  5. Let It Cook: Set your slow cooker to low and let it work its magic for 4 hours hrs. The chicken will be tender and infused with lemony, balsamic goodness.

    Seared skin-on chicken thighs with onion in a slow cooker before cooking

  6. Make the Mash: When you’re ready to eat, boil a pot of water and add the sweet potato chunks. Cook for 10 minutes or until fork-tender. Drain, then mash with butter and salt. Add a little black pepper if you’re feeling fancy.

    Boiled sweet potato with salt, pepper and butter in a pot before being mashed

  7. Serve It Up: Plate two chicken thighs per person, spoon over the onions and juices from the slow cooker, and add half the sweet potato mash on the side. Dig in!

Notes

  • I use tallow to brown the meat since it will give a wonderful colour and flavour, but you can use any other animal fat, or a little olive oil and butter.
  • Author: Russell James
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours
  • Category: Easy dinner
  • Method: Slow cooker

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/2 the recipe
  • Calories: 987
  • Sugar: 12.3 g
  • Sodium: 4079.3 mg
  • Fat: 62.7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 46.1 g
  • Protein: 65 g
  • Cholesterol: 393 mg

Find it online: https://eatlikeanadult.com/slow-cooker-chicken-thigh-balsamic-onion-sweet-potato-mash/