Description
Saucy slow cooker BBQ chicken thighs bring Southern comfort straight to your dinner table. Juicy meat falls apart effortlessly, promising a mouthwatering meal that blends tangy sauce with rich, tender chicken for a crowd-pleasing feast you’ll crave again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 6 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs
Sauce and Sweeteners:
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- ¼ cup honey or brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon 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 cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Craft a robust BBQ sauce by whisking together tangy vinegar, sweet honey, pungent Worcestershire sauce, and a medley of aromatic spices until thoroughly blended.
- Nestle chicken thighs into the slow cooker, arranging them in a uniform, overlapping pattern to maximize flavor absorption.
- Lavishly drench the chicken with the prepared BBQ sauce, ensuring each piece receives an even, glistening coating.
- Secure the slow cooker lid and allow the chicken to simmer gently on low temperature for 6-7 hours, or accelerate on high heat for 3-4 hours until meat becomes fork-tender and succulent.
- For those desiring a more luxurious sauce consistency, create a quick cornstarch slurry and introduce it during the final quarter-hour of cooking, stirring until the sauce transforms into a rich, glossy glaze.
- Transfer the chicken to a serving platter, cascading any remaining sauce over the meat to enhance its already profound flavor profile.
- Accompany the BBQ chicken with complementary side dishes that harmonize with its bold, smoky essence.
Notes
- Choose bone-in chicken thighs for maximum flavor and juiciness, keeping the meat tender and preventing dryness during slow cooking.
- Swap honey with maple syrup or agave nectar for different sweetness levels, perfect for those avoiding traditional sugar.
- Adjust spice levels by reducing or increasing red pepper flakes, catering to individual heat tolerance and preference.
- Consider gluten-free options by using certified gluten-free BBQ sauce and checking Worcestershire sauce ingredients to ensure dietary compatibility.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg