Crockpot Carolina Gold BBQ Chicken Thighs Recipe

Introduction

This Crockpot Carolina Gold BBQ Chicken Thighs recipe delivers tender, flavorful chicken with a tangy, sweet mustard-based sauce. It’s an easy slow-cooked meal perfect for hands-off cooking and delicious dinners any day of the week.

Ingredients

• 6 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon oil
• ¾ cup yellow mustard
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

1. Step 1: Season the chicken thighs evenly on both sides with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
2. Step 2: Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat and sear the chicken thighs skin-side down until the skin is golden and crisp. This adds a depth of flavor, so take your time with this step.
3. Step 3: Transfer the chicken to the slow cooker, placing it skin-side up to keep the skin crispy.
4. Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together the yellow mustard, honey, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth.
5. Step 5: Pour the sauce evenly around the chicken, avoiding pouring directly over the skin to maintain its texture.
6. Step 6: Cover and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
7. Step 7: During the last 30 minutes of cooking, remove the lid to let the sauce thicken slightly before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra smoky flavor, add a splash of liquid smoke to the BBQ sauce mixture.
• Boneless thighs can be used, but reduce cooking time to about 3–4 hours on LOW to prevent drying out.
• If you prefer a spicier sauce, stir in a teaspoon of hot sauce or cayenne pepper.

Storage

Store leftover chicken with sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stove until warmed through, adding a splash of water if the sauce is too thick.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, but chicken breasts cook faster and can dry out in the slow cooker. Use boneless breasts and cook for 3 to 4 hours on LOW, checking frequently.

Is it necessary to sear the chicken first?

Searing adds flavor and helps crisp the skin, but you can skip this step if short on time. The chicken will still turn out tender and tasty in the slow cooker.

Crockpot Carolina Gold BBQ Chicken Thighs Recipe

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5 from 105 reviews

Tender, flavorful Crockpot Carolina Gold BBQ Chicken Thighs featuring crispy seared skin and a tangy, sweet mustard-based sauce slow-cooked to perfection for a delicious Southern-inspired meal.

• Author: Nora
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 hours 30 minutes
• Total Time: 5 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Ingredients

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Chicken and Seasoning

• 6 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon oil

BBQ Sauce

• ¾ cup yellow mustard
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

1. Season the chicken: Evenly season both sides of the chicken thighs with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder to build a flavorful base for the dish.
2. Sear the chicken skin: Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down and cook until the skin is golden and crisp, enhancing flavor and texture. Don’t rush this step as it adds depth to the final dish.
3. Transfer to slow cooker: Place the seared chicken thighs skin-side up into the slow cooker, ensuring the skin remains intact to retain crispness.
4. Prepare the BBQ sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the yellow mustard, honey, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth and well combined to create the signature Carolina Gold BBQ sauce.
5. Add sauce to chicken: Pour the BBQ sauce around the chicken pieces in the slow cooker instead of directly on top to keep the skin crisp while allowing the sauce to infuse flavor during cooking.
6. Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on the LOW setting for 5 to 6 hours, allowing the chicken to become tender and soak up the sauce flavors slowly.
7. Thicken the sauce: During the last 30 minutes of cooking, uncover the slow cooker to let the sauce reduce and thicken slightly, enhancing the texture and intensity of the dish before serving.

Notes

• For best results, sear the chicken skin well to ensure crispiness before slow cooking.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can remove the chicken after cooking and reduce the sauce on the stovetop over medium heat.
• This recipe works well with chicken drumsticks or breasts, but adjust cooking time accordingly.
• Serve with classic Southern sides such as coleslaw, baked beans, or cornbread to complete the meal.
• Leftover chicken can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

Keywords: Carolina Gold BBQ, slow cooker chicken thighs, mustard BBQ chicken, Southern BBQ chicken, crockpot chicken recipe