Name: Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 4 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs or breasts (or boneless); 1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand); ¼ cup honey or brown sugar; 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat); 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (for thickening, optional)

Description

This Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken is a simple, hands-off recipe that delivers juicy, tender chicken with a rich and tangy barbecue sauce. With just a few ingredients, including honey, smoked paprika, and Worcestershire sauce, you can enjoy the ultimate comfort food perfect for sandwiches, tacos, or just on its own.

Ingredients

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6 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs or breasts (or boneless)
1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
¼ cup honey or brown sugar
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (for thickening, optional)

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Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken (thighs or breasts) into the slow cooker.
Make the Sauce: In a bowl, combine the BBQ sauce, honey (or brown sugar), apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir well to combine.
Cook the Chicken: Pour the sauce over the chicken in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
Optional Thickening: If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Add it to the slow cooker in the last 30 minutes of cooking and stir to thicken the sauce.

Shred and Serve: Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and mix it with the sauce. Serve as desired.

Notes

For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the BBQ sauce for a few hours before cooking.
You can serve this BBQ chicken on buns for sandwiches, over rice, or as a side with your favorite veggies.
This recipe is easily adaptable to boneless chicken as well.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Category: Main Dish
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American