Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs

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These slow cooker bbq chicken thighs simmering away in your crock pot will leave you drooling in anticipation. But you will fall even more into barbecue heaven at the first taste of these juicy chicken thighs. The flavorful chicken will remain juicy and fork tender, while the skin turns a lightly crispy, sauce-covered delight.

Everyone loves barbecuing out in the Summertime, but with this slow cooker recipe, you will not need to wait for warm weather to enjoy some mouth-watering BBQ. Simply put the bbq spiced chicken thighs into your slow cooker, along with your favorite bbq sauce and let it slow cook while you go about your day. No babysitting this recipe!  For more tasty bbq recipes, try our Ultimate Moist Tender Smoked Traeger Ribs or Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Meatballs.

What You Will Love About This Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Recipe

• So easy to make
• Budget friendly – simple ingredients
• Perfect recipe for a slow cooker meal for the family or make in a larger quantity for a potluck or game night meal.
• Stores, freezes and reheats well.
• Versatile if you want to change things up

Equipment Recommended

• Slow Cooker – I recommend getting a large slow cooker so you will be able to fit pretty much anything you want to cook.
• Baking Sheet

Ingredients for Making Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs

• Chicken Thighs – I used bone-in chicken thighs with the skin on because I think the bone and skin adds a bit more flavor and the crispy skin is to-die-for. You could also use boneless chicken thighs and without the skin if you like. You could even use leg quarters of drumsticks or boneless skinless chicken breasts if you are a white meat fan. This slow cooker chicken is just so versatile.
• Barbecue Sauce – This also is a very versatile choice. I use and love Sweet Baby Rays Sweet and Spicy Sauce. Use whatever favorite brand you love or if you have your own homemade bbq sauce recipe, use that.
• Worcestershire Sauce
• Ground Mustard Powder
• For the Dry Seasoning Rub, we use garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, sea salt,cayenne pepper, coriander and dried thyme. Substitute your own favorite rub if you have one.

Substitutions and Additions

• Substitute pork chops for the chicken for the perfect bbq pork chops.
• Try a different type of bbq sauce such as honey mustard or garlic parmesan.

How to Make This Crockpot Recipe for BBQ Chicken

• In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients for the seasoning rub. Thoroughly coat each chicken piece with the rub, making sure to get it covered well. If you can get some of the seasoning under the skin, even better!
• Lightly spray the bottom of the slow cooker with a non stick spray or use a liner.
• Place chicken pieces into the crockpot.
• Mix the Worcestershire sauce and ground mustard into the bbq sauce and pour sauce over the chicken, turning chicken to assure good coverage of the sauce.
• Cook on low for about 5 hours or on high for about 3 hours until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 165 degrees when checked with a meat thermometer. By that time, all the bbq flavors will have infused into the chicken and created bbq nirvana.
• Preheat your oven broiler and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. I also like to spray the foil lightly with a non stick baking spray to help avoid the chicken sticking to the foil.
• Remove chicken from the slow cooker and place in a single layer on the baking sheet. Brush some extra bbq sauce on the chicken.
• Broil until the tops of the chicken starts to sizzle and develops a slight char in some areas.
• Enjoy while the barbecue chicken thighs are still hot.

What to Serve With Your Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs to Turn it Into a Delicious Meal

• Number 1 Best Crack Mac and Cheese With Bacon
• Crack Green Beans
• Creamy Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes With Chives
• Easy Amish Broccoli Salad With Bacon
• Chocolate Layered Ding Dong Cake

Store, Freeze and Reheat Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. To freeze the bbq chicken, store in an airtight container either individually or in a single layer. To serve, thaw in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave or in the oven. To re-crisp, place under the broiler or in an air fryer.

Recipe For Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs

If you try this bbq chicken recipe, please come back and let us know how you liked it.