5-Ingredient Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs
Wondering if it’s possible to get succulent, melt-in-your mouth chicken thighs in the slow cooker, made with just 5 ingredients and prepped in under 5 minutes? Well, the answer is a resounding YES. Slow cooked and bathed in a simple BBQ sauce–this is the chicken thigh recipe I can’t get enough of, and I think you’ll love it too.
Succulent Chicken Thighs with The Volume Turned Waaaaay Up
I started making these slow cooker BBQ chicken thighs as a way to big-batch prepare chicken thighs, and oh my goodness, I got hooked! These tender and juicy chicken thighs have a similar flavor profile to my famous BBQ chicken legs – that classic sweet, spicy, and smokey BBQ flavor – and can either be shredded or quickly glazed whole under the broiler. This time, I’m leaning on good ‘ole boneless chicken thighs because they are oh-so budget friendly and stay extra juicy compared to chicken breast.
And the best part is that they’re almost too easy to make thanks to the crock pot, which does all the hard work for you. No browning, chopping, or even babysitting the grill – ah…the perfect low-lift recipe for year-round dinner ease. Just cover skinless, boneless chicken thighs with a simple 3-ingredient spice blend, douse in your favorite BBQ sauce, and set and forget it. Stuffed into buns with creamy cabbage slaw or dill pickle slaw, this is my ideal low-effort meal, and I think you’re going to love it too.
Welcome to My Kitchen! Let’s Make Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs
For My Prep Ahead Peeps
BBQ chicken thighs are a great meal prep protein to have on hand for super quick meals since they keep so well in the fridge and freezer. The chicken with sauce can be stored covered, in the fridge for 3-4 days, or frozen for up to 3 months.
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons granulated garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅔ cup BBQ sauce, plus more for glazing
Equipment
Instructions
- Spray a 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray.
- Add the chicken thighs, then sprinkle all sides evenly with the smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt. Pour over ⅓ cup BBQ sauce, spreading to evenly coat the chicken.
- Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours, or low for 4-5, or until the chicken is very tender.
- Preheat the broiler to high. Carefully remove the cooked chicken thighs to a foil lined broiler safe pan. Thinly brush each thigh with an additional ⅓ cup BBQ sauce. Broil 3-4 minutes, until just browned, keeping a close eye to avoid burning.
Notes
- For shredded BBQ chicken thighs, skip step 4 and instead remove the thighs from the slow cooker, shred with two forks, then add back to the slow cooker with the juices and ⅓ cup BBQ sauce.
- For slow cooker BBQ chicken breasts, use this recipe, and for BBQ chicken legs, use this recipe.
- For paleo and refined sugar free version, be sure to look for a barbecue sauce with paleo friendly ingredients.
- For serving suggestions, make ahead instructions, and more, see the full blog post above.
Damn, That’s GOOD!
So glad you enjoyed, Ken, thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Agreed – damn, that is GOOD! Very tasty and not overly seasoned like a lot of other chicken thigh slow cooker recipes. Plus, very easy. Don’t need a lot of ingredients and doesn’t take a lot of work. Will definitely make again. Thank you!
Chris, love it! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I appreciate it and so glad to hear you enjoyed this one. 🙂
Fantastic! Could not be more simple or delicious. Served shredded on toasted brioche buns with a side of coleslaw and it was just smashing – will be a regular dish at our house.
Carole, yum, sounds like a yummy way to serve this chicken! Thanks for the ideas and for leaving a review!
I did this with skinless bone in thighs, was perfect. Fall off the bone and delicious.
Chuck, so happy to hear this recipe worked well with bon-in chicken thighs! Thanks for the tip and for leaving a reivew!
Tasty and easy! Would cook on low though, at a little more than half the recommended time on high, the chicken thighs were starting to dry out a bit. Maybe that was because I only cooked half the amount, but I also used my small crockpot. Will definitely make again. After all, who doesn’t love something with less than five minutes prep time?
Kristen, yes, when cooking half of chicken you’ll often need to reduce the time by more than half depending on how hot your slow cooker cooks, though cooking on low is definitely a good call. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Great recipe! I was looking for a chicken stew using thighs with skin on, and crock pot, of course. I had a neighbor who made something like that.
But I love barbecued chicken, and this is really good!
So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Linda! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and for leaving a review!
Tried last night… quick, ready, and oh so yummy. Can’t wait v to make again.
Judy, wonderful to hear this chicken recipe was a hit for you. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and for leaving a reivew!
I think for shredded chicken you mean to replace step 4 with the shredding step?
Pat, you’re absolutely right, it should say replace step 4! I’ve updated the notes. Thanks for letting me know about that!
Easy and we loved it!
Lisa, fantastic, so happy to hear you enjoyed this slow cooker chicken thigh recipe! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and for leaving a review!