These tender and juicy Crockpot BBQ Chicken Thighs are a quick and easy way to make flavorful chicken. I love slow cooker meals, and this is one of my favorite recipes for chicken thighs. They're so versatile and always turn out delicious! I make this dish often because everyone loves it! Plus, it pairs perfectly with anything from mashed potatoes to frozen French fries.
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The BBQ sauce adds so much flavor and coats the chicken thighs so well. I love a good sweet and smoky sauce! I also add some basic spices so the chicken is well seasoned.
If you like easy chicken dinner recipes, you will love this Cajun Chicken Sandwich and these Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- It’s made with inexpensive ingredients: This recipe calls for budget-friendly grocery items to create a delicious chicken dinner. All you need are some seasonings and a good BBQ sauce!
- There are endless serving possibilities: Several side dishes pair well with this crockpot barbecue chicken, so you can create different meals with it to serve to your family.
- It’s quick and easy to prepare: It takes minimal time and effort to get these BBQ crockpot chicken thighs ready. Then, sit back and let your crockpot take over!
Ingredients
You will need a handful of a few ingredients to pull off this flavorful BBQ chicken recipe. Go with my list of seasonings or your own and your favorite BBQ sauce. It’s that easy!
- Chicken thighs: I like to use boneless skinless chicken thighs for this recipe. They cook well within a reasonable amount of time, and I don’t have to worry about crisping the skin or pulling out the bones. If you prefer bone-in chicken, feel free to use it instead.
- Seasonings: For this recipe, I went with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Feel free to use any combination of seasonings that you want. Even your favorite blend would work here!
- BBQ sauce: You can use any brand and variety of BBQ sauce that you like best. I love ones that are both sweet and savory for balance.
- Parsley: This is an optional garnish to add freshness and a pop of color to the finished chicken. I love to add it to enhance the presentation.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Honey chipotle: Try this recipe with your favorite honey BBQ sauce and chipotle sauce, or blend chipotle in adobo for a sweet and spicy version.
- Maple brown sugar: Add maple syrup and brown sugar to a smoky BBQ sauce for a sweet version with notes of molasses and caramel for depth.
- Carolina gold: Use Carolina gold BBQ sauce for a tangy mustard flavor.
How to Make BBQ Chicken Thighs in the Crockpot
Here are the instructions on how to make these juicy slow cooker chicken thighs with barbecue sauce. I recommend spraying the slow cooker with cooking spray to keep the chicken from sticking to the bottom.
Step 1: Season the chicken thighs. Sprinkle the chicken thighs with each of the spices. Ensure that you generously season both sides so you get the yummy flavor in each bite.
Step 2: Add them to the pot. Arrange them on the bottom of the greased slow cooker. It’s fine if they overlap a little bit.
Step 3: Pour in the BBQ sauce and cook. Drizzle that delicious BBQ sauce over the top of the chicken. Ensure all of the pieces are well coated. Then, pop the lid on and cook the chicken for 6-7 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high.
Step 4: Garnish and serve. Remove the cooked thighs from the slow cooker. Stir the sauce well and put the chicken thighs back in. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top for color and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Sear the chicken for more flavor: An optional step is to sear the chicken for depth of flavor. After seasoning the chicken thighs, place them in a skillet over medium-high heat for 1-2 minutes per side to form a brown crust.
- Use a thermometer: If you’re unsure if the chicken cooked properly, use a meat thermometer. Chicken must be cooked to at least 165°F for food safety.
- Let it rest before serving: Allow the chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes outside of the crockpot. This will allow the juices to redistribute so the chicken remains tender and moist when you slice into it.
If you love recipes like this for easy chicken thighs, you may also enjoy these Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs.
Storage Directions
- Storing: Store leftover chicken thighs in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Allow them to completely cool and place them in a Ziploc bag to freeze them for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: These are best reheated in a skillet on the stovetop over medium heat or in the oven in a baking dish covered with foil. You can add a bit of water if the sauce seems a bit too thick. You can also reheat them in the microwave.
Serving Suggestions
- You can’t go wrong with potatoes! Serve classic mashed potatoes or Parmesan potato halves for a cheesy and savory accompaniment.
- Spinach rice is a flavorful option that’s super easy to make! I like to make simple dishes like rice to go with crockpot recipes.
- Veggies are always a great side dish option. Try jalapeno creamed corn, air fryer cabbage, or air fryer zucchini fries with these crockpot BBQ chicken thighs. They are wildly different, so you can choose something that sounds good to you.
Recipe FAQs
No, I recommend thawing your chicken. It’s much more difficult for the chicken thighs to cook properly in the crockpot when they are frozen and the slow cooker is not considered a safe method for cooking frozen chicken.
The chicken thighs will release moisture as they cook, which can cause the BBQ sauce to become thin. If you like, create a slurry with equal parts water and cornstarch and whisk it into the sauce to thicken it.
If you overcook the chicken, it will become dry and tough. Cook the thighs for the minimum amount of time listed in the recipe, check the temperature, and then adjust if needed!
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More Delicious Chicken Crockpot Recipes
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section, I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 3 cups barbecue sauce
- Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker by coating it with a light coating of cooking spray.
- Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika on both sides.
- Arrange the seasoned chicken thighs in the slow cooker in an even layer.
- Pour the barbecue sauce over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well-coated.
- Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken thighs and set them aside on a serving platter.
- Whisk the remaining sauce in the slow cooker until smooth, then pour it over the chicken.
- Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
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Notes
- To ensure the crockpot barbecue chicken thighs are cooked thoroughly, you can use a thermometer. Chicken must be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F to be safe to eat.
- Place any leftover chicken thighs into an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Make a slurry with water and cornstarch and whisk it into the BBQ sauce if it is too thin after the chicken is fully cooked.
Nutrition
This post was originally published March 2018. It's been updated with new content, a fresh recipe, and new images.
Trina says
Easiest chicken recipe ever and I’ve made it now several times. We all love it and I will make a double batch next time we’re having company. I will always make this recipe. I’m going to add a quarter cup of apricot jam next time which I’m sure will taste great and be a nice change. Love your site. ❤️
Karin and Ken says
The apricot jam is a great addition to this easy recipe. So happy to hear you’re enjoying it too. All the best. Karin
DrJ says
This recipe is a regular rotation in my house. Simple, quick and very tasty!
Karin and Ken says
It’s in our regular rotation too! I feel the exact same way. Thank you for taking the time to comment and let me know. All the best. Karin
Morgan says
I loved the sauce and put the sauce all over rice. It works on veggies too. I love this! Thx
Karin and Ken says
We use the sauce on rice and veggies too. Makes such a great dinner. All the best. Karin
Laura says
So easy and such a great recipe. Everyone loves it. I have made it several times now and will continue to. Love your site.
Karin and Ken says
Thank you for taking the time to comment. Happy to hear you're loving this recipe as much as we do! All the best. Karin