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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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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.
These BBQ chicken thighs are perfectly cooked cooked! Thanks to the crockpot! Highly recommended. So delicious and addicting!
I love a good crockpot recipe and these chicken thighs were absolutely divine! Thank you so much for sharing.
Would these reheat well? I'm looking to cook closer to 9 lbs but only have 1 crockpot. Do you have suggestions for oven or instant pot cooking for this recipe? Looking forward to trying this for an Easter potluck!
Hi Christina! I would suggest cooking in 2 batches and then broiling before serving to reheat and crisp up the skin. I do have Instant Pot Chicken Thigh directions as well. I would rub them with a spice rub and then pressure cook and broil with your favorite BBQ sauce.
Your suggestion worked great. Thank you! I was able to cook 5 lbs in the instant pot and then crisped them in the broiler, topping it with the bbq sauce you suggested in this slow cooker recipe. Your recipes and instructions really help lower stress levels. I appreciate you!
This sounds so easy!
So if we use store bought barbecue sauce, how much of it should we include?
Hi La'Tina! You will want to use 1 cup store bought barbecue sauce and add 1/2 cup additional liquid to the barbecue sauce (either water, apple juice, chicken stock, or beer.) I hope you enjoy!
Hello Kristen. Why would you add 1/2 cup liquid and not use 1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce instead of 1 cup?
Hi David. I am sorry for any confusion, but this recipe calls for using 1-1/2 cups of BBQ sauce and no additional liquid. Let me know how I can clarify this for others 🙂
Such a delicious way to make chicken thighs for a weeknight dinner!
I am so glad you enjoyed Amanda!
I love how quick and easy this recipe was to make! Perfect for Sunday supper!
Maple syrup is not Whole30 compliant. The recipe looks delicious for those not eating Whole30, but the post is misleading.
I am so sorry you were led to believe this is whole30--I read and reread my post and never saw mention of it being whole30 complaint. I apologize if a social post let you to believe it was.