Tender, juicy, and coated in a homemade sauce, these Slow Cooker Boneless, Skinless BBQ Chicken Thighs are the ultimate easy weeknight dinner. Made simple pantry ingredients and prepped in 5 minutes, this dump-and-go crockpot meal is ready when you walk in the door.
No busy mom enjoys the daily “what’s for dinner?” question, which is exactly why I always say my slow cooker saves my sanity. Recipes like these slow cooker BBQ chicken thighs make dinner almost effortless; just toss everything in and let it cook while you get on with the day.
They’re not only great for dinner that night but also perfect for meal prep (just like this 5-ingredient crockpot chicken), especially if you double the batch. And with only eight ingredients and about five minutes of prep, it’s as simple as these smoked chicken legs. If you’re new to crockpot cooking, Learn more about slow cookers and choosing the best one for your family (and how to use it!).
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Dump and go: Easy ingredients and no prep work required, this slow cooker recipe is a classic dump it and forget it recipe.
Healthy: These slow cooker chicken thighs are coated in a homemade, honey-sweetened BBQ sauce. No additives or weird ingredients.
Juicy chicken: After simmering all day in the chicken thighs have juicy, sweet flavor in every bite.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Ketchup: This is the base of the homemade BBQ sauce. And because ketchup is plenty sweet, you don’t need much sweetener elsewhere. Which is why you won’t see any brown sugar. You can use what you have in the fridge.
- Worcestershire sauce: The ingredient that no one can pronounce but that adds a perfect flavor to the sauce. Make sure you use a gluten-free version if needed.
- Blackstrap molasses: gives a smoky-ish flavor to the BBQ sauce and helps keep it thicker.
- Skinless, boneless chicken thighs: We prefer the skinless ones in the slow cooker, as no one enjoys skin that isn’t crispy. However, bone-in chicken thighs will work in place of boneless.
Flavor Variations
Spicy: Add red pepper flakes to your sauce for a kick of heat in your sauce.
Paleo: You’ll need to opt for Primal Kitchens ketchup. Know that by using that ketchup, the sweetness of the recipe is decreased a bit, you may want to add a bit more honey. You also need to omit the Worcestershire sauce.
Traditional BBQ: Of course, you can always mix in your favorite BBQ sauce instead of making your own. Or, whip up these slow cooker BBQ chicken drumsticks instead.
Slow Cooker Boneless, Skinless BBQ Chicken Thighs
- In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients except the chicken thighs and mix BBQ sauce well.
- Line the slow cooker with chicken thighs making sure they’re not on top of each other.
- Pour the sauce over the thighs. Stir if they need coating.
- Cook on low for 6-7 hours.
Step By Step Photos
Expert Tips
Because the chicken thighs release so much juice, the sauce isn’t sticky by the end of cooking.
If you want a thicker sauce, you can either: boil down the ingredients prior to popping them into the slow cooker or, whisk in ½ tbs arrowroot powder into the sauce 30 minutes before serving. If whisking in powder, make sure to cook the last 30 minutes with the lid cracked.
The thighs come out really dark after 7 hours of cooking (that’s what makes them so juicy!).
I found I did stir it once to make sure everything was coated evenly, but I don’t think it’s necessary.
If you make chicken thigh crockpot recipes, know that you can use chicken breasts instead, but they don't release a lot of juice. This means you need to cook them for less time, but make sure you have adequate liquid so they don't dry out.
Storing: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven over low or in the microwave with the sauce from the slow cooker.
How To Serve It
The day I make the BBQ chicken thighs, we normally serve it with a side of rice (or Whole30 cauliflower rice) and steamed or roasted root vegetable medley (whatever is easiest that day!) or in the summer, my gluten-free macaroni salad. I do this with slow cooker Hawaiian chicken thighs, too.
Something as simple as frozen broccoli in air fryer works too!
However, I like to use the leftovers and whip them (and the extra sauce) into a pasta with frozen veggies the next night too!
Slow Cooker Boneless, Skinless BBQ Chicken Thighs FAQs
Typically, chicken thighs work best in the slow cooker because they take longer to “overcook”. Basically, they stay juicy longer. Though chicken breasts work in the slow cooker as well, you won’t be able to cook them as long.
Though browning chicken thighs will seal in their juices, it’s not necessary. You can place the chicken thighs into the slow cooker raw, and they’ll still be super juicy.
You can do either. Stirring the chicken thighs in the slow cooker will help keep them coated in the homemade BBQ sauce. However, the chicken thighs will cook just fine without stirring so long as you make sure they are coated in the sauce before cooking (versus having raw chicken exposed on top).
Other Slow Cooker Recipes
- Slow cooker egg casserole
- Slow cooker beef and broccoli
- Slow cooker Tuscan chicken
- Slow cooker chicken teriyaki
- Slow cooker chicken pot pie
- Crockpot chicken legs
- Slow cooker chicken alfredo
Other Dairy & Gluten-Free Dinner Recipes You’ll Enjoy
- One pot sausage pasta
- Sheet pan steak fajitas
- One pot chicken alfedo
- Chicken pesto pasta
- 30 dinner recipes for busy moms
- 33 Gluten and dairy-free dinners
Slow Cooker Boneless, Skinless BBQ Chicken Thighs
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¾ cup Ketchup
- 1 tbs Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tbs Honey
- 2 tbs Molasses
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 2 tbs Apple cider vinegar
- 8 Boneless skinless chicken thighs
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients except the chicken thighs and mix well.
- Line the slow cooker with chicken thighs making sure they’re not on top of each other.
- Pour the sauce over the thighs. Stir if they need coating.
- Cook on low for 6-7 hours.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Addison says
These chicken thighs were melt in my mouth tender! Such a great family dinner and even better as leftovers!
fitasamamabear says
Wahoo! I love them as leftovers too.
Sharina says
Double the batch of my BBQ Chicken thighs for dinner last night and for meal prep and glad I doubled it! My fam loves it! The chicken was so tender and juicy plus the BBQ sauce is a winner!
fitasamamabear says
Ahh mega yay! Such a great meal prep recipe.
Susie says
There's so much flavor in this chicken! I almost never use my slow cooker, but this has encouraged me to get it out (and probably keep it out since I want to make it again ASAP!).
fitasamamabear says
My slow cooker keeps me sane! Happy I could get you into it!
Jo keohane says
Love a BBQ recipe that is not full of sugar! Such great flavors and fork tender meat.
fitasamamabear says
Ah thank you so much!
Rose says
I'm always looking for new slow cooker recipes and these BBQ chicken thighs are just perfect! Thanks xx
fitasamamabear says
The slow cooker saves my sanity!