Slow Cooker BBQ Bacon Chicken
This Slow Cooker BBQ Bacon Chicken recipe combines juicy boneless, skinless chicken thighs with crispy bacon and tangy barbecue sauce for a hands-off meal rich in smoky, sweet, and savory flavors. Perfect for busy weeknights or gatherings, it requires minimal prep and slow cooks to tender perfection.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 7 hours (low) or 3 to 4 hours (high)
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes (low) or 3 hours 10 minutes (high)
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Bacon
- 4–6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 6–8 strips of bacon
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Optional: ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Sauce
- 1 cup barbecue sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken and Bacon: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season lightly with onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and smoked paprika if using. Lay the bacon strips evenly in the bottom of the slow cooker to form a base layer.
- Layer the Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken thighs on top of the bacon layer, allowing the bacon to infuse smoky flavors into the chicken as it cooks.
- Add the Barbecue Sauce: Pour the barbecue sauce generously over the chicken, making sure each piece is fully coated. This sauce will thicken during cooking and lock in moisture.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is fork-tender and the bacon is cooked through but not overly crispy.
- Serve and Enjoy: Carefully lift the chicken with tongs, spoon some of the BBQ bacon sauce over the top, and serve hot. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions and optionally, crumbled crispy bacon.
Notes
- Don’t skip placing bacon at the bottom as it adds essential smoky flavor and keeps the meat juicy.
- Cooking low and slow yields the most tender and flavorful chicken.
- Use a thick barbecue sauce for better coating and less watery sauce.
- Reserve a few extra bacon strips to crisp and crumble on top for added texture.
- Adjust seasonings after cooking by tasting the sauce and adding pepper or spices if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Keywords: Slow Cooker, BBQ Chicken, Bacon, Easy Dinner, Crockpot Recipe, Smoky Flavor, Comfort Food
Find it online: https://cherrycooks.com/slow-cooker-bbq-bacon-chicken/
