Description
Mouthwatering slow cooker bbq chicken thighs bring Southern comfort to dinner tables with minimal effort. Tender meat smothered in tangy sauce promises a delicious meal that will satisfy hungry crowds without hours of kitchen prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 6 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs
Sauce and Sweeteners:
- 1 cup (237 milliliters) BBQ sauce
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) honey or brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Worcestershire sauce
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Thickening Agent (optional):
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) water
Instructions
- Craft a vibrant, tangy sauce by whisking together BBQ sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes in a mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
- Carefully nestle chicken thighs into the slow cooker, creating a single, even layer that allows each piece to cook uniformly.
- Generously drench the chicken with the prepared sauce, using a spatula or spoon to ensure every morsel is completely enveloped in the flavorful mixture.
- Secure the slow cooker lid and set the temperature: opt for low heat for a gradual 6-7 hour infusion or high heat for a quicker 3-4 hour transformation, cooking until the chicken reaches peak tenderness and begins to pull apart effortlessly.
- For those desiring a more luxurious, velvety sauce consistency, whisk cornstarch with water to create a smooth slurry, then gently incorporate it into the cooking liquid during the final 15 minutes of cooking.
- Once cooked, carefully transfer the succulent chicken to a serving platter, cascading the remaining rich, caramelized sauce over the top to amplify the dish’s mouthwatering appeal.
- Complement the BBQ chicken thighs with your preferred accompaniments, creating a complete, satisfying meal that promises to tantalize taste buds.
Notes
- Choose bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for maximum flavor and juiciness during slow cooking.
- Adjust spice levels by increasing or decreasing red pepper flakes to suit personal heat preferences.
- For a healthier version, use sugar-free BBQ sauce and replace honey with a low-calorie sweetener like stevia.
- Create a gluten-free option by selecting a certified gluten-free BBQ sauce and verifying Worcestershire sauce ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg