Description
Tender, juicy, and packed with smoky-sweet flavor, Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs are the ultimate hands-off comfort food. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep, this crowd-pleasing recipe makes barbecue easy and delicious—perfect for busy weeknights, casual gatherings, or meal prep. Serve them shredded on sandwiches, whole with sides, or tucked into tacos—either way, they’re bound to be a hit.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
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2.5–3 lbs chicken thighs (boneless or bone-in, skin removed)
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1 ½ cups BBQ sauce (your favorite brand or homemade)
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1 medium onion, sliced
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tsp salt
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½ tsp black pepper
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1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
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2 tbsp brown sugar or honey (optional, for extra sweetness)
Instructions
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Season the Chicken:
Pat chicken thighs dry. Rub with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. -
Layer the Slow Cooker:
Add sliced onion and minced garlic to the bottom of the slow cooker. Arrange chicken thighs on top. -
Add the Sauce:
Pour BBQ sauce over the chicken, making sure all pieces are well coated. Add brown sugar or honey if desired. -
Slow Cook:
Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is fork-tender. -
(Optional) Thicken the Sauce:
Transfer some cooking liquid to a saucepan. Simmer for 5–10 minutes until thickened, then spoon over chicken before serving.
Notes
Sear chicken thighs before adding to the slow cooker for extra depth of flavor (optional).
Add a splash of broth if your BBQ sauce is very thick.
Bone-in thighs are juicier; boneless are easier to shred.
Usugar-free BBQ sauce for a lower-sugar version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours (low) or 3 hours (high)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: slow cooker BBQ chicken, crockpot chicken thighs, easy BBQ chicken, shredded chicken sandwiches