This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission. Full Disclosure Policy.
A rich, deeply flavored, sweet, Crockpot BBQ chicken dinner – that you fix, and forget! Make ahead and come home to a fabulous dinner to share with the family.
Running around like a mad thing at this time of year? Yeah, me too! There’s nothing quite like coming home after a day of work, errands and other busy stuff to this crock pot BBQ chicken. The smell alone will have you running to the table!
MAKE AHEAD
A little make-ahead prepping, and you too can avoid the drive-through on busy days! I often prep this the night before, and set it on a timer the following day. That said, I make this most often on a weekend, so I can spend my off-hours with my family instead of in the kitchen, but still eat good food.
Life is JUST too short to eat food that isn’t fabulous!
This family loved dinner is a real winner – with slow cooking, you have plenty of time to take care of “life stuff”. Rustle up a few sides – and be ready to serve in just a few minutes.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH BBQ CHICKEN
This Crockpot BBQ Chicken pairs perfectly with homemade mac and cheese try my Skillet Mac & Cheese and some my favorite green beans recipe!
Ingredients:
- ONION
- CHICKEN THIGHS – bone in. You can use boneless if you wish, then you can make bbq pulled chicken super easily! Boneless, skinless chicken breasts also works for pulled chicken)
- PAPRIKA
- SALT/PEPPER/OLIVE OIL
For the BBQ Sauce Mixture
- ONION (not a typo, we use onion twice here)
- GARLIC
- FIRE ROASTED TOMATOES
- CORNSTARCH
- RED WINE VINEGAR
- BROWN SUGAR
- WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE
- PEPPER
How to make this recipe:
Full, printable recipe below – just scroll down to the recipe card!
Season and Sear the Chicken
- Add the coarsely diced onion to the crockpot.
- Sprinkle paprika, salt and pepper onto the chicken, and in a large pan sear on both sides (2 mins per side)
- Place chicken into the crockpot, on top of the onions.
Make the Sauce
- In the same pan you used to sear the chicken, add 1 tsp olive oil and heat over medium.
- Saute the onion for a few minutes until softened, then add the garlic. Cook for 30 seconds
- Add cornstarch to the canned tomatoes, and add the mixture, plus the vinegar, brown sugar, worcestershire sauce and pepper to the pan.
- Simmer for a few minutes. You may wish to blend the sauce at this point for a smoother consistency.
- Add sauce to crockpot, covering chicken and mix until combined.
Set, and forget!
- Cook on low for 4-5 hours
Serve
- Remove chicken from crockpot, and put on a plate, spooning the extra sauce over the top.
- Devour.
FAQs and Kylee’s Notes
- Spice it up! Add some garlic powder when seasoning the chicken, or some red pepper flakes in the barbecue sauce!
- More Crockpot Recipes
- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork – A Texas Style Slow Cooker Pulled Pork – Sweet, spicy, juicy and cooked low and slow until the meat falls off the bone in tender juicy deliciousness. Cooking time: 10 hours
- Slow Cooker Whole Chicken – A delicious, crockpot rotisserie chicken, that is fall-apart tender and juicy. Just season the chicken, set it in the crockpot, and serve later! Cooking time: 8 hours
- Crock Pot Pork Loin – Super delicious apples and onions add flavor and sweetness to the pork. So. Darn. Good. Cooking time: 6-8 hours
- Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore from Creme de la Crumb
- ALL CROCKPOT MEALS
WANT TO TRY THIS RECIPE?
PIN IT TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARDS!
FIND ME ON PINTEREST FOR MORE DELICIOUS RECIPES!
Crockpot BBQ Chicken
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 onion coarsely chopped
- 6-8 chicken thighs (can use bone in or out but remove the skin)
- 1 Tbs smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper
- 1 tsp olive oil
For the BBQ Sauce
- ½ onion finely diced (not a typo, we use onion twice here)
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 can fire roasted tomatoes 15 ounce
- 1.5 tsp cornstarch
- ½ cup red wine vinegar
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- 2 Tbs Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon cracked pepper
Instructions
For Chicken
- Add the coarsely diced onion to the crockpot.
- Sprinkle paprika, salt and pepper onto the chicken, and in a large pan sear on both sides (2 mins per side)
- Place chicken into the crockpot, on top of the onions.
Make the Sauce
- In the same pan you used to sear the chicken, add 1 tsp olive oil and heat over medium.
- Saute the onion for a few minutes until softened, then add the garlic. Cook for 30 seconds
- Add cornstarch to the canned tomatoes, and add the mixture, plus the vinegar, brown sugar, worcestershire sauce and pepper to the pan.
- Simmer for a few minutes. You may wish to blend the sauce at this point for a smoother consistency.
- Add sauce to crockpot, covering chicken and mix until combined.
Set, and forget!
- Cook on low for 4-5 hours
Serve
- Remove chicken from crockpot, and put on a plate, spooning the extra sauce over the top.
- Devour.
nutrition facts
Nutritional Disclaimer
Recipes written and produced on Kylee Cooks are for informational purposes only. Kylee is not a certified nutritionist. Nutritional data provided on Kylee Cooks has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration.
Update: This was originally posted in January of 2016, and has been updated to improve reader experience with new photos!
