Description
Tender, flavorful slow cooker BBQ chicken thighs cooked low and slow with a savory BBQ seasoning and sauce, perfect for an easy, hands-off meal. Optionally finished under the broiler for a caramelized glaze.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2.25 lbs chicken thighs, raw, skin-on and bone-in (about 4–6 thighs)
Seasoning & Sauce
- 3 tbsp BBQ seasoning
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (Hickory, Kansas City style, or your favorite variety)
Instructions
- Pat Dry: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps the seasoning stick better and promotes even cooking.
- Season Chicken: Rub the chicken evenly with BBQ seasoning, coating all sides thoroughly to infuse flavor.
- Arrange in Slow Cooker: Place the seasoned chicken thighs in the slow cooker in a single layer, ensuring even cooking and sauce coverage.
- Add BBQ Sauce: Pour BBQ sauce over the chicken, making sure all pieces are well coated with the sauce.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours until the chicken is tender and completely cooked through.
- Optional Broil Finish: For a caramelized finish, transfer the cooked chicken to a baking sheet, brush with additional BBQ sauce, and broil in the oven for 3 to 5 minutes until the sauce is bubbly and slightly charred.
- Serve: Serve the hot BBQ chicken thighs with your favorite side dishes and enjoy a delicious meal.
Notes
- You can adjust the cooking time depending on your slow cooker and chicken size.
- Using bone-in, skin-on thighs adds flavor and keeps the chicken juicy.
- Optional broil step adds a nice caramelized texture but can be skipped if preferred.
- Choose your favorite BBQ sauce style for varied flavor profiles.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
