Description
Juicy slow cooker bbq chicken thighs melt with smoky-sweet Southern charm, promising lip-smacking goodness. Tender meat falls apart beneath rich barbecue sauce, inviting you to savor comfort straight from the heartland’s kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 4 to 6 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs
Sauces and Liquids:
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Craft a zesty spice blend by combining garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a compact mixing vessel.
- Massage chicken thighs with olive oil, ensuring complete coverage, then generously dust with the prepared spice mixture.
- Strategically arrange the seasoned chicken thighs inside the slow cooker, creating an even layer.
- Lavishly drench the chicken with barbecue sauce, guaranteeing each piece receives a thorough coating.
- Secure the slow cooker lid and initiate cooking process: select low temperature for 6-7 hours or high temperature for 3-4 hours until meat becomes remarkably tender and effortlessly separates.
- For enthusiasts desiring enhanced texture, carefully transfer chicken from slow cooker to broiling pan and crisp the exterior under high oven heat for 3-5 minutes, periodically brushing with additional barbecue sauce.
- Present the succulent chicken alongside complementary accompaniments such as roasted seasonal vegetables, creamy mashed potatoes, or nestled within a soft sandwich roll.
Notes
- Maximize flavor by generously massaging the spice blend into chicken thighs, ensuring every crevice gets seasoned perfectly.
- Choose a thick, high-quality barbecue sauce to prevent watery results and enhance the rich, caramelized taste profile.
- Skip the broiling step for a softer texture, or swap chicken thighs with chicken breasts, adjusting cooking time to prevent dryness.
- Create a gluten-free version by using certified gluten-free barbecue sauce and checking spice blend ingredients for potential wheat contamination.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours (also depending on setting)
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 46
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg