Description
Tender and flavorful Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs cooked low and slow in a rich barbecue sauce mixture, perfect for an easy and delicious weeknight meal. This recipe offers juicy, shredded chicken thighs infused with honey, apple cider vinegar, and smoky spices, ideal served with classic sides like coleslaw or cornbread.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Sauce
- 1 cup barbecue sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- ¼ cup honey or brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Garnish (optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce, honey (or brown sugar), apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper until fully combined.
- Add chicken and sauce to slow cooker: Place the chicken thighs in the slow cooker and pour the prepared sauce over them. Turn the chicken to coat well in the sauce, ensuring even coverage.
- Cook low and slow: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours. The chicken should be tender and easily shredded or sliced when done.
- Optional broil for caramelization: For a sticky, caramelized finish, transfer the cooked chicken to a foil-lined baking sheet, brush with additional BBQ sauce, and place under the broiler for 2–3 minutes until slightly charred and bubbly. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Serve and garnish: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve the chicken with favorite sides such as coleslaw, cornbread, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for extra flavor; simply remove the skin before serving if preferred.
- Leftover chicken works wonderfully for BBQ chicken sandwiches, wraps, or salads.
- Ensure BBQ sauce is gluten-free if adhering to a gluten-free diet.
- Adjust sweetness by substituting honey or brown sugar according to your taste preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 recipe
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
