Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs

If you love tender and juicy chicken, you need to make these Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs! They’re slow cooked in BBQ sauce for a classic sweet, spicy, and smoky barbecue flavor, then placed under the broiler to get the perfect crispy texture and caramelization on the BBQ sauce. This comfort food dish only requires a handful of ingredients and 10 minutes of prep.

Now this is a chicken recipe we can't get enough of! The flavors are rich and satisfying and the prep is lightning fast. This succulent, melt-in-your-mouth chicken is delicious and makes for fantastic leftovers that taste even better the next day.

If you love easy chicken thigh recipes, you'll also love these Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs, Crockpot Huli Huli Chicken, and this Garlic Parmesan Chicken. 

Ingredients

• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs: Chicken thighs are flavorful and using boneless and skinless saves prep time. Look for thighs that are uniform in size for even cooking. 
• Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds a caramelized sweetness and a little bit of molasses flavor that gives these chicken thighs a rich, sticky glaze. You could use light or dark brown sugar, whichever you have on hand.
• Paprika and Chili Powder: Paprika and chili powder give smoky heat and great red color to the slow cooker BBQ chicken thighs. Smoked paprika would work great too.
• Cumin and Onion Powder: Cumin has a slightly earthy, nutty flavor to add depth to the spice mix. Onion powder pairs well with it and you won't have to chop any onions to get the flavor. Sometimes I’ll throw in garlic powder to this recipe, too.
• BBQ Sauce: Choose a high-quality barbecue sauce with a balance of sweet and tangy notes. I love using Sweet Baby Ray’s. There are a lot of great North Carolina style and Memphis style BBQ sauces to try, too!

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.

Variations

• Vary the Sauce: Some barbecue sauces are sweeter, others are tangier, some have a bit of heat or chipotle smokiness. Changing the BBQ sauce will totally change the flavor profile of the slow cooker barbecue chicken.
• Spicy Version: Want some extra heat? Use a spicy barbecue sauce, buffalo sauce, or drops of hot sauce to give the BBQ Crock Pot chicken thighs more of a kick.
• Use Chicken Breasts: You could also make this recipe with boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of thighs. The cook time will be a little shorter, though.
• Add Other Flavors: You could add a splash of apple cider vinegar, a drop or two of liquid smoke, or even cooked bacon crumbles to the slow cooker to give this dish extra flavor. If you want more of an umami flavor, add Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce.

How to Make BBQ Chicken Thighs in the Crock Pot

Grab your crockpot and all the ingredients to get this prepped and cooking in just minutes!

1. Step 1: Mix the Spice Blend and BBQ Sauce. Add brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, cumin, salt, black pepper, onion powder, and BBQ sauce to a bowl. Mix well.

2. Step 2: Coat the Chicken. Place the chicken in the slow cooker and cover with BBQ sauce and spice blend. Then toss to coat it.

3. Step 3: Cook. Cover, and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 5-6 hours.

4. Step 4: Broil. Place the chicken thighs on a baking sheet covered in aluminum foil. Brush with sauce from the slow cooker and broil for 3-4 minutes. Serve the BBQ chicken with all your favorite side dishes!

Storage Directions 

• Storing: Leftovers keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, or frozen for up to 3 months. Store the chicken with the sauce.
• Reheating: Reheat the dish in the microwave on medium heat for 30-60 second intervals until it is heated through. You can also heat it in a baking dish in a 350° oven covered with foil for 15-20 minutes.
• Make Ahead: These are great to meal prep and have on hand since they keep well in the fridge and freezer.  

Serving Suggestions

You can serve this saucy, juicy, tender chicken a lot of different ways! That’s why it’s one of my favorite recipes for chicken thighs.

• You can keep the chicken pieces whole and garnish them with fresh chopped parsley or diced scallions for a pop of green color and added freshness. Serve over rice, quinoa, or cheesy polenta.
• Serve with a side of crockpot crack potatoes or crockpot roasted potatoes.
• Shred the chicken and use it over top of a rice bowl or in a sandwich. You can even make BBQ chicken sliders on Hawaiian buns or brioche buns with this chicken!
• Serve with pilaf, baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, crockpot green beans, or roasted broccoli and cauliflower. Or pair it with sides like creamy coleslaw, potato salad, or cornbread.
• Use the BBQ chicken as a filling for tacos or on top of a fresh salad. The possibilities are endless!