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Overhead shot of a serving bowl with a serving fork and cooked chicken thighs covered in red sauce and chopped fresh herbs. Bowl is surrounded by a towel; a jar of red sauce; and small bowls of coleslaw, potato chips, and chopped herbs.

5-Ingredient Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs

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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 you won't be able to get enough of.
Course dinner
Cuisine American
Diet Gluten Free
Keyword bbq, chicken thighs, crock pot, Crockpot, Slow Cooker, slow cooker bbq chicken, slow cooker bbq chicken thighs
Cook Time 2 hours
Servings 6 servings
Calories 330
Author Robyn Conley Downs

Equipment

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

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.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 (of 6) | Calories: 330kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 215mg | Sodium: 518mg | Potassium: 657mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 454IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 2mg
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