Description
This 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs recipe is a simple, flavorful, and tender dish perfect for an easy weeknight dinner. Featuring boneless skinless chicken thighs seasoned with smoked paprika, garlic powder, and kosher salt, slow cooked to melt-in-your-mouth perfection, then finished under the broiler with a flavorful BBQ glaze for a slightly caramelized finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Thighs
- 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
Seasoning
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons granulated garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
BBQ Sauce
- ⅔ cup BBQ sauce (divided: ⅓ cup for cooking, ⅓ cup for glazing)
Instructions
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Spray a 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Season the Chicken: Add the chicken thighs to the slow cooker, then evenly sprinkle all sides with smoked paprika, garlic powder, and kosher salt to build a smoky, savory flavor base.
- Add BBQ Sauce: Pour ⅓ cup of BBQ sauce over the chicken thighs in the slow cooker, spreading it to coat the chicken evenly.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 4-5 hours until the chicken is very tender and easy to shred.
- Preheat Broiler: Once cooked, preheat your oven’s broiler on high to prepare for glazing and caramelizing the chicken.
- Broil with Glaze: Carefully transfer the chicken thighs to a foil-lined, broiler-safe pan. Thinly brush each thigh with the remaining ⅓ cup BBQ sauce and broil for 3-4 minutes until the surface is nicely browned. Watch closely to prevent burning.
Notes
- This recipe takes only 5 minutes prep time but delivers deeply flavorful, tender chicken thighs thanks to slow cooking and simple seasoning.
- Using boneless skinless thighs ensures quick cooking and easy eating without bones.
- Broiling at the end caramelizes the BBQ sauce, enhancing texture and flavor.
- You can use your favorite BBQ sauce brand or homemade version.
- Adjust cooking times slightly depending on your slow cooker’s heat intensity.
- Serve with your favorite sides such as coleslaw, cornbread, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh (approx. 6 oz)
- Calories: 330 kcal
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 518 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.04 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 44 g
- Cholesterol: 215 mg
