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Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs is one of the easiest, tastiest slow cooker dinner recipes! With a flavorful dry rub and tangy BBQ sauce, this hands-off recipe delivers juicy chicken thighs packed with flavor. It is a family-favorite perfect for busy days.
Kristen's Keys for Crockpot BBQ Chicken Thighs
A few tips before we begin will help to ensure that your chicken thighs turn out perfect every time.
- Use bone-in chicken thighs. For the richest flavor, bone-in chicken thighs are the way to go. Skin-on or skinless is a personal preference.
- The sweet and savory dry rub is key. Made with brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, the homemade dry rub builds layers of flavor without the need for many other ingredients.
- A simple onion makes a big difference here. By placing slices of onion in the bottom of the slow cooker, you create a natural rack for the chicken thighs. As the chicken cooks, the fat renders out, and the onion keeps the thighs slightly elevated, preventing soggy skin.
- A quick broil is recommended for crispy skin. Unless your chicken thighs are skinless, you will want to finish them under the broiler for irresistibly crispy skin.
How to Make BBQ Chicken Thighs in the Slow Cooker
The following section is designed to help you feel confident as you prepare this recipe, with a few tips along the way.
Step One: Season the Chicken Thighs
Combine the brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl then sprinkle this mixture over the chicken thighs. Use your hands to rub that mixture into the chicken so each bite is flavorful.
Step Two: Layer Ingredients
Lay the sliced onion out evenly over the bottom of the crockpot. Place the seasoned chicken on top of the onion.
Step Three: Slow Cook
Cook on high heat for 1½ to 2 hours or low heat for 3½ to 4 hours, or until the chicken thighs register 185℉.
👉🏻Timing can vary. Slow cookers don't all heat the same, so the best way to ensure your chicken is fully cooked, but not overcooked, is to use a digital thermometer and check the temperature near the end of the suggested cook time.
Step Four: Finish with BBQ Sauce
Remove the chicken thighs from the slow cooker and place them on a baking sheet. Brush with foil, and for best results, pop them under the broiler for a couple of minutes to caramelize the sauce and help crisp up the skin.
Step Five: Serve
Grab some napkins and serve these saucy BBQ chicken thighs with homemade baked beans, oven fries, or a BLT pasta salad--YUM!
More Delicious BBQ Chicken Recipes
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If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Crockpot BBQ Chicken Thighs
Video
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, or regular paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2-3 pounds bone-in chicken thighs, (either with or without skin) about 8 chicken thighs
- 1 large yellow onion thinly sliced
- 1½ cups BBQ sauce
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder together.
- Trim off excess skin or gristle if needed from 2-3 pounds bone-in chicken thighs and pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Rub the spice mixture evenly over the chicken thighs, on both sides.
- Place 1 large yellow onion thinly sliced in the slow cooker in an even layer. Lay the seasoned chicken thighs on top of the onion slices.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for 2 hours or on low for 4 hours or until the chicken thighs reach 185℉ for tender, yet juicy results.
- After the chicken has cooked, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and place it on a sheet pan lined with foil. Brush the top of the chicken with BBQ sauce. Broil for 2-3 minutes or until crispy. Remove the chicken from the broiler, flip, brush the other side with BBQ sauce, and return to the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until crispy.
- Serve with additional BBQ sauce.
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe looks amazing. I love the suggestion of putting the chicken on the onions so they don’t get soggy. I have an instant pot that can be used as a slow cooker with a glass top that I bought separately for slow cooking. Have you ever tried your instant pot as a slow cooker? Thank you so much
Hi Nicole! Unfortunately, using your Instant Pot as a slow cooker is not as straightforward as you may think. I have a full tutorial on it here. You will want to cook on the high setting and increase the time by 15 minutes per every hour the recipe calls for cooking on high.
You’re amazing thank you
What is grizzle ??
Hi Sharon. Gristle is a type of connective tissue that's mainly found in ligaments and doesn't break down when it's cooked. It is typically white.
My kids love everything bbq!! I love that this is made in the slow cooker. It makes my life easier & the whole family loves it!
I love easy meals that the family loves myself! So happy to hear your family enjoyed these, Kristyn!
Nice! Thank you Kristen! Hope you're well! These BBQ chicken thighs are amazing. I've been a dummy when it comes to the Crock-Pot. I always add a bunch of liquid, then everything ends up being boiled. Ugh. And broiling the sauce at the end; GENIUS! 😭❤️ Soooo good! 😭❤️
I am thrilled to hear you enjoyed this recipe! And you aren't a dummy--just had room to learn something new, as we all do!