Description
Savor mouthwatering slow cooker BBQ chicken thighs that melt with rich, smoky flavors perfect for family dinners. Tender meat glazed in tangy sauce promises a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 chicken thighs (bone-in, skinless or boneless)
- 1 cup (240 ml) BBQ sauce (favorite brand)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) honey or brown sugar
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) cornstarch + 2 tbsps (30 ml) water (for thickening, optional)
Instructions
- Sauce Crafting: Whisk together BBQ sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes in a mixing bowl until smooth and well-integrated.
- Chicken Placement: Layer chicken thighs methodically in the slow cooker, ensuring they are spread evenly without overcrowding.
- Sauce Application: Lavishly drench chicken thighs with the prepared sauce, meticulously coating each piece to guarantee maximum flavor absorption.
- Slow Cooking Transformation: Seal the slow cooker and allow chicken to simmer on low temperature for 6-7 hours or high temperature for 3-4 hours, monitoring until meat becomes supremely tender and easily separates.
- Sauce Refinement (Optional): For enhanced sauce consistency, create a cornstarch slurry by blending cornstarch with water, then gently incorporate into the cooking liquid during the final quarter-hour of preparation.
- Culinary Presentation: Transfer chicken to serving platter, generously drizzle remaining sauce over the meat, and complement with preferred accompaniments for a delectable dining experience.
Notes
- Choose bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for maximum moisture and flavor, as they stay juicier during slow cooking compared to boneless cuts.
- Add cornstarch slurry gradually and stir carefully to avoid lumps, checking sauce thickness incrementally for perfect texture without over-thickening.
- Toast spices like smoked paprika and garlic powder briefly before mixing into sauce to enhance their aromatic compounds and intensify overall taste profile.
- Swap traditional BBQ sauce with sugar-free or low-sodium versions for diabetic or heart-healthy diets, and use coconut aminos instead of Worcestershire sauce for gluten-free variations.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg