Go Back Email Link
–+ servings

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs

Casey Rooney
These Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs are juicy, SUPER flavorful, and a great recipe for busy weeknights! These chicken thighs come out fall-off-the-bone tender, coated with a smokey sauce! The skin gets nice and crisp with just a few minutes under the broiler. This easy crockpot recipe will be devoured by the whole family!
4.86 from 7 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 382 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3-4 lbs. bone-in chicken thighs
  • 1/2 cup barbecue sauce + more for brushing we LOVE Sweet Baby Rays, but use your favorite barbecue sauce!
  • 2 tsp liquid smoke

Seasoning Rub (See Note 1)

  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tsp sea salt or kosher salt
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar

Instructions
 

  • Prep: In a small bowl, combine spices for the seasoning rub. Trim any excess skin or fat off the chicken (using scissors works really well for this!) Then, rub spice mixture generously over the chicken thighs. Make sure you get all the nooks and crannies and try to even get a little under the skin if you can!
  • Mix & Add: Mix BBQ sauce and liquid smoke. Place chicken in the slow cooker and add sauce. Toss to make sure each piece of chicken is lightly coated with the sauce. DO NOT add any additional liquid to the crock pot!
  • Slow Cook: Cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or on LOW for 4-5 hours or until internal temperature reaches 165°F when measured with a meat thermometer.
    Note: Time will depend on the size of your thighs and your crock pot, of course :) You can cook them a bit longer if you want the chicken to be more tender. In my experience, I do not recommend going over 3-4 hours on high or over 5 hours on low.
  • Finish: Preheat broiler. Line a baking sheet with foil. Remove chicken from the slow cooker and shake off any excess liquid. Place chicken on a baking sheet and brush with a little extra sauce. Broil 4-6 minutes until the skin begins to sizzle and is slightly charred (crisp!) in some areas.
  • Rest: Remove chicken from the oven. Allow the chicken to rest for 2-3 minutes then serve right away!

Notes

Note 1: If you don't have all the spices, feel free to use your favorite BBQ rub. My family is obsessed with this Kinder's Wood Fired Garlic Rub! They literally put it on everything!
 
Nutrition is only an estimate based on the Very Well Fit Nutrition Calculator
Save this recipe form

💌 Save to your inbox!

Enter your email and send this recipe straight to your inbox. As a bonus, you'll receive more easy recipes every week!

Nutrition

Calories: 382kcalCarbohydrates: 18.3gProtein: 31.6gFat: 19.5gSaturated Fat: 5.4gCholesterol: 115mgSodium: 1392mgPotassium: 398mgFiber: 1gSugar: 13.4gCalcium: 30mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!