Of all the recipes I make in my slow cooker, this Crock-Pot BBQ chicken is my most treasured. If you enjoy your BBQ sweet with a little spice, this will be your new favorite, too. —Yvonne McKim, Vancouver, Washington

Slow-Cooker BBQ Chicken Tips

Can you put frozen chicken in the Crock-Pot?

When it comes to putting frozen chicken in a slow cooker, it's a good idea to thaw the chicken in the refrigerator overnight first. According to the USDA, if you put frozen chicken right into the slow cooker it could spend too long at a temperature that promotes bacteria growth.

Can I use a different type of chicken?

When making this Crock-Pot BBQ Chicken recipe, you can mix up what type of chicken you use. For each leg quarter, you can use two bone-in thighs, two drumsticks or a small chicken breast half.

What goes with BBQ chicken?

There are so many great side dishes to choose from when serving BBQ chicken. You could go for a cool, crunchy vintage salad recipe, or a creamy mashed potato recipe to soak in some of the extra BBQ sauce. Garlic toast isn't as common, but it pairs really well with saucy BBQ chicken.


Research contributed by Peggy Woodward, Taste of Home Senior Editor, Food