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Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs
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Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs are tender, juicy, and infused with a rich, smoky barbecue sauce. This effortless recipe lets the slow cooker do all the work, producing melt-in-your-mouth chicken perfect for weeknight dinners or casual weekends. Minimal ingredients and maximum flavor make it a crowd-pleasing, versatile dish that works great on its own, in sandwiches, or paired with classic BBQ sides.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 2 to 3 lbs bone-in, skinless chicken thighs

Seasonings

  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Sauce

  • 1 to 1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken thighs evenly with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. This creates a flavorful base that makes every bite irresistible.
  2. Add Chicken to Slow Cooker: Place the seasoned thighs in a single layer in the slow cooker to ensure even cooking and maximum sauce absorption.
  3. Pour in the BBQ Sauce: Pour your chosen BBQ sauce over the chicken, making sure each piece is well-coated. For a slight tang, you can add a splash of apple cider vinegar to the sauce.
  4. Cook Low and Slow: Set the slow cooker to low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Cooking slowly allows the chicken thighs to become melt-in-your-mouth tender and soak up the delicious BBQ sauce.
  5. Finish and Serve: Once cooked, give the chicken a gentle stir to coat in any remaining sauce. For extra texture, you can broil the thighs in the oven for a few minutes to caramelize the sauce and add a slight crispiness to the edges before serving.

Notes

  • Use bone-in thighs: The bones add flavor and help keep the chicken moist during slow cooking.
  • Don’t lift the lid: Resist checking too frequently to maintain cooking temperature and avoid extending cooking time.
  • Choose quality BBQ sauce: The sauce is the star of the dish, so pick one with flavors you love.
  • Thicken sauce if needed: After cooking, remove the chicken and simmer the sauce on the stove to thicken it if it’s too thin.
  • Adjust seasoning at the end: Taste the finished dish and add a pinch of salt or extra pepper if necessary.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chicken, BBQ chicken thighs, easy chicken recipe, crockpot BBQ, tender chicken, barbecue chicken, gluten free chicken, slow cooker dinner

Find it online: https://marycorner.com/slow-cooker-bbq-chicken-thighs/