A tasty recipe you can make easily in your slow cooker or crockpot is this Curried Chicken Thighs with Acorn Squash that you can prepare in the morning and enjoy at night, made with chicken thighs, acorn squash, curry powder, honey, and lime juice. This easy Curried Chicken Thighs recipe is perfect for dinner and takes about 4 hours and 20 minutes to prepare, serving up to 4 people.

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Recipe Ingredients

• 2 small acorn squashes (about 1 lb each), quartered lengthwise and seeded
• 2 tsp of curry powder
• 1 tsp of canola oil
• 8 bone-in chicken thighs (6 oz each), skin removed, trimmed of visible fat
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 3 tbsp of honey
• ⅛ tsp of cayenne pepper
• 1 tbsp of lime juice
• ¼ cup of fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

How To Make Slow Cooker Curried Chicken Thighs with Acorn Squash

1. Prepare the Squash and Slow Cooker: Arrange the acorn squash wedges in a shingled pattern, cut side down, at the bottom of the slow cooker. Add ½ cup of water to the cooker to keep things moist and prevent sticking.
2. Mix the Curry Rub: Combine the curry powder and canola oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the mixture for about 30 seconds until it becomes fragrant. Allow it to cool slightly before rubbing the mixture over the chicken thighs. Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper for flavor.
3. Cook the Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken thighs in the slow cooker on top of the squash. Cover it up, and let it cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, or until the chicken becomes tender and cooked through.
4. Prepare the Honey Drizzle: Transfer the chicken and squash to a serving platter once the chicken is ready. In the meantime, microwave the honey and cayenne pepper together in a small bowl for about 30 seconds until it’s warmed through. Stir in the lime juice to finish off the sweet and tangy drizzle.
5. Finish and Serve: Drizzle the warm honey-lime mixture over the chicken and squash. For a final touch, sprinkle everything with freshly chopped cilantro leaves. Serve right away and enjoy!

Recipe Tips

• Swap the acorn squash for butternut squash: If you prefer a slightly sweeter flavor, butternut squash works perfectly in place of acorn squash without changing the overall cooking time.
• Use bone-in chicken breasts instead of thighs: If you’re not a fan of dark meat, swap in bone-in chicken breasts, but keep an eye on the cooking time to avoid dryness.
• Add a pinch of cinnamon to the curry mix: This adds a subtle warmth and complements the curry powder. I tried it once, and it made a big difference in flavor depth.
• Make it spicier with extra cayenne or red pepper flakes: If you like more heat, increase the cayenne pepper or sprinkle red pepper flakes into the curry rub before cooking.

Recipe FAQs and Variations

Check out More Slow Cooker Recipes:

• Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs Curry
• Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs Cacciatore
• Easy Slow Cooker Mole Chicken Thighs