Tangy Summer Cookout BBQ Chicken Crockpot
A flavorful and tender slow-cooked BBQ chicken recipe perfect for a summer cookout. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are seasoned and simmered in a tangy sauce with smoky BBQ, onion, garlic, and apple cider vinegar until easily shredded.
Equipment
- Paper Towels
- Skillet
- Crockpot
- Bowl
- Whisk
- Forks
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup smoky BBQ sauce
- 0.5 large onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 0.5 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 0.5 tsp chili powder
- 0.25 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp brown sugar Optional
Instructions
Cooking Steps
- Pat chicken thighs dry and season them generously with smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Sauté diced onion and minced garlic in a skillet until fragrant, then transfer them to the crockpot.
- Place the seasoned chicken thighs into the crockpot.
- Whisk together BBQ sauce, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, and optional brown sugar in a bowl, then pour over the chicken in the crockpot.
- Cook in the crockpot on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-3.5 hours, until the chicken is easily shredded.
- Remove the cooked chicken and shred it using two forks.
- Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot and stir it into the sauce until well combined.
- Serve the BBQ chicken hot, optionally with toasted buns and coleslaw for sandwiches.
Notes
This versatile BBQ chicken is perfect for sandwiches, tacos, or as a main dish. Cooking times vary based on your crockpot setting; ensure chicken shreds easily with forks. For an extra touch of sweetness, don't skip the optional brown sugar.