Crockpot Barbecue Chicken Thighs
Browned skin and seasoned, fall-of-the-bone meat makes this easy slow cooker dinner as delicious as it is simpe.
Equipment
- Slow cooker (Crockpot)
- Heavy skillet (for searing the chicken)
- Tongs
- Measuring spoons
- small bowl (for dry rub)
- Meat thermometer
Ingredients
- 2½ pounds chicken thighs (bone-in and skin on about 4-5 large thighs)
- 1 cup prepared barbecue sauce (we like Sweet Baby Ray's Brown Sugar and Hickory)
- 2 tablespoons dry rub seasoning (such as Montreal Chicken)
Instructions
- Season the chicken thighs. Rub the chicken thighs with your chosen dry rub. For more flavor, season the night before, but it’s optional.
- Sear. Heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Then, sear the chicken for 2 minutes per side until the skin is golden. Avoid fully cooking the meat in the slow cooker to prevent overcooking.
- Cook in the slow cooker. Place the seared chicken thighs in the slow cooker and pour barbecue sauce. No need to stir or add extra liquid. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 5-6 hours until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Serve. Remove the chicken thighs with tongs and serve with extra barbecue sauce from the slow cooker on the side. Pair with your favorite sides, like coleslaw or cornbread, for a complete meal.
Notes
Most chicken thigh packs weigh around 2.5 pounds, but if your slow cooker can handle more, go ahead and add them.
Before adding any seasoning, dry the chicken thighs with paper towels. This step helps the skin get crispy when you brown it instead of soggy.
Feel free to use plenty of seasoning on chicken thighs. They can soak it up, which makes the chicken taste so good.
If you’re not into crispy skin or want to cut down on fat, use skinless thighs instead. Skipping the browning step is fine because the slow cooker will still make the meat juicy and tasty.
Brush extra sauce on the chicken once it’s cooked to boost the barbecue flavor. You can broil the thighs for a minute or two to make the sauce sticky and even more flavorful.
A few drops of liquid smoke in the sauce can do the trick for those who love a smoky taste but don’t own a smoker.
If you like better your chicken sweet, pick a sauce with brown sugar or honey. Or, for a bit of heat, choose a smoky or spicy sauce. Pick the sauce that your family likes best.
When adding barbecue sauce to the chicken in the slow cooker, start with a bit of sauce, add the chicken, and then cover with the rest of the sauce. This way, the flavor gets all over the chicken evenly.
This chicken dish is also great for meal planning! You can shred any leftover chicken for sandwiches, wraps, or salads the next day. Plus, it freezes well for later.