Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs Recipe
This Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs recipe offers tender, flavorful chicken infused with a smoky, tangy barbecue sauce. Perfect for an easy, hands-off meal, the slow cooker method ensures juicy, fall-off-the-bone chicken infused with spices and a rich BBQ glaze, ideal for a family dinner or casual gathering.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5-6 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes to 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 tsp Salt (2 g)
- ½ tsp Pepper (1 g)
- ¼–½ tsp Red Pepper Flakes (0.5–1 g)
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder (2 g)
- 1 tsp Onion Powder (2 g)
- 1 tsp Chipotle Powder (2 g)
- 1 tbsp Dried Parsley (1.6 g)
Chicken
- 4 bone-in Chicken Thighs (about 2 pounds) (875 g)
Liquids and Sauces
- 2 tbsp Oil (29.58 ml)
- 1 cup BBQ Sauce (302 g)
- 2 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar (29.58 ml)
- ½ tsp Liquid Smoke (2.46 ml)
Sweeteners
- ¼ cup Brown Sugar, packed (42.5 g)
Instructions
- Prepare the Seasoning Mix: In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, chipotle powder, and dried parsley thoroughly to create a robust seasoning blend.
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Rub the seasoning blend evenly over all sides of the chicken to ensure every bite is packed with flavor.
- Sear the Chicken (Optional): Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken thighs skin-side down for 3-4 minutes or until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Flip and sear the other side for an additional 2 minutes. This step helps develop deeper flavor but can be skipped if short on time.
- Prepare the BBQ Sauce Mixture: In a bowl, mix BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and liquid smoke until well combined. This sauce will provide a sweet, tangy, smoky finish to the chicken.
- Place Chicken in Slow Cooker: Arrange the seasoned and seared chicken thighs skin-side up in the slow cooker in a single layer.
- Pour Sauce Over Chicken: Pour the prepared BBQ sauce mixture evenly over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are coated.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The chicken should become tender, juicy, and fully cooked with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Finish and Serve: Once cooked, optionally spoon additional sauce from the slow cooker over the chicken. Serve hot with your favorite sides such as coleslaw, cornbread, or mashed potatoes for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- If desired, searing the chicken before slow cooking adds flavor and texture but is optional.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred level of spiciness.
- Be cautious with liquid smoke as it is potent; ½ tsp adds a smoky flavor without overpowering.
- For thicker sauce, you can remove the chicken after cooking and simmer the sauce on the stovetop to reduce before serving.
- Bone-in thighs are recommended for better flavor and moisture retention.
Keywords: BBQ chicken thighs, slow cooker chicken, easy dinner, barbecue chicken, chicken slow cooker recipe
