You don’t have to wait for grilling season to enjoy a delicious BBQ chicken dinner! These Crockpot BBQ Chicken Thighs are incredibly easy to make and are great any time of the year. Perfectly seasoned chicken thighs cook low and slow in your favorite BBQ sauce to create a tender and savory dish the whole family will love.
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The best part about this recipe is that it takes just a few minutes to prep, and then the slow cooker does the rest! You can’t go wrong with easy meals like these slow cooker BBQ chicken thighs, especially when you’ve got a busy schedule and hungry mouths to feed.
It’s no secret that I love using my slow cooker. It’s one of my favorite kitchen appliances!
For more chicken crockpot recipes, check out this slow cooker chicken stroganoff, slow cooker chicken spaghetti, and this slow cooker chicken with broccoli and rice next.
Crockpot Chicken Thighs Ingredients
- Chicken Thighs: I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs, but if you prefer to use bone-in, you’ll need to adjust the cooking time as they take a little longer to cook. You can also use chicken breasts instead, but note that they will take less time to cook and tend to dry out faster than the thighs.
- Seasonings: I used salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to season the chicken.
- Barbecue Sauce: Use your favorite brand and variety, such as sweet, smoky, or spicy.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Spicy: Turn up the heat by adding a little cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. You can also try using a spicy BBQ sauce.
- Hawaiian-Inspired: Mix in pineapple juice and crushed pineapples with the barbecue sauce for a tropical twist.
- Smoky Chipotle: Replace the sweet paprika with smoked paprika and stir in a spoonful of chipotle sauce for a smoky kick.
How to Make Crockpot Chicken Thighs
Get started making these BBQ chicken thighs in the crockpot by lightly spraying your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
Step 1: Prepare the chicken. Season both sides of the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
Step 2: Add the chicken to the crockpot. Place the seasoned chicken pieces into the prepared slow cooker.
Step 3: Pour in the BBQ sauce. Top the chicken with the BBQ sauce, making sure that all the pieces are fully coated.
Step 4: Cook and serve. Set the slow cooker to low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours. When the chicken is done, transfer to a serving platter and give the remaining sauce in the slow cooker a good whisk. Top the chicken with the rest of the sauce and serve.
Serving Suggestions
When it comes to recipes for chicken thighs, this one is a surefire winner! Here are some great side dish ideas to make it a complete meal:
- You can’t go wrong with a veggie! Try these roasted green beans with garlic or these sweet and spicy Brussels sprouts.
- Pair your tasty chicken thighs with these hasselback potatoes or this tomato rice for a filling dinner.
- Serve them with some homemade cornbread for dipping into the rich BBQ sauce.
Expert Tips
- Use a Thermometer: Use a meat thermometer to check the crockpot barbecue chicken thighs for doneness. The internal temperature should be at least 165°F.
- Try a Crockpot Liner: Save time on cleanup by using a slow cooker liner to make these bbq crockpot chicken thighs.
- Storing: Store leftover crockpot bbq chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the chicken thighs in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Be sure to thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Recipe FAQs
Of course! Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9x13” baking dish. Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika, and then arrange them in the dish. Pour the barbecue sauce over the chicken, ensuring it's well coated. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 15–20 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce thickens.
Yes! Prepare everything and place it in the slow cooker as directed in the recipe. Cover and store your slow cooker insert in the fridge for up to 24 hours in advance. When you’re ready to cook, return the insert to your slow cooker base and follow the timing instructions in the recipe.
More Delicious Slow Cooker Recipes
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 3 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 3 cups barbecue sauce
- Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker by coating it with a light coating of cooking spray.
- Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika on both sides.
- Arrange the seasoned chicken thighs in the slow cooker in an even layer.
- Pour the barbecue sauce over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well-coated.
- Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken thighs and set them aside on a serving platter.
- Whisk the remaining sauce in the slow cooker until smooth, then pour it over the chicken.
- Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container.
- If you use bone-in chicken thighs, you will need to increase the cooking time slightly.
- The chicken is done when a meat thermometer inserted into the center reaches at least 165°F.