Imagine a dish so incredibly tender and flavorful that it practically falls apart at the mere touch of a fork. This Crockpot Applesauce BBQ Chicken is not just another boring weeknight meal – it's a culinary adventure that combines the sweet tang of applesauce with the smoky richness of BBQ sauce, creating a symphony of flavors that will have your family begging for seconds. With minimal prep time and the magic of slow cooking, you'll transform simple chicken thighs into a restaurant-worthy meal that seems like you've spent hours in the kitchen.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 6 hrs
Total Time: 6 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs
- 1 cup applesauce
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 onion, sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by preparing your ingredients. Slice the onion into thin rings and set aside. Make sure the chicken thighs are thawed if they were previously frozen.
- In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of applesauce and 1 cup of BBQ sauce. Stir well until the two ingredients are fully incorporated, creating a flavorful sauce.
- Take your crockpot and spray it lightly with cooking spray or use a liner for easy cleanup. Place the sliced onions evenly at the bottom of the crockpot to create a flavorful base for the chicken.
- Next, season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper to taste. You can rub the seasoning directly onto the chicken for better flavor.
- Arrange the seasoned chicken thighs on top of the sliced onions in the crockpot, ensuring they are spread out evenly.
- Pour the applesauce and BBQ sauce mixture over the chicken thighs, making sure they are well-coated. You can use a spatula to gently spread the sauce if needed.
- Cover the crockpot with its lid and set it to cook on low for 6 hours. This slow cooking process will allow the flavors to meld and the chicken to become tender.
- After 6 hours, check the chicken for doneness. The meat should be tender and easily pull apart with a fork. If it’s not quite ready, you can continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove it from the crockpot and place it on a serving platter. You can shred the chicken with two forks or serve the thighs whole, depending on your preference.
- Before serving, you may want to stir the remaining sauce in the crockpot to combine the flavors. You can serve the sauce on the side or drizzle it over the chicken.
- This dish pairs well with sides like rice, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad. Enjoy your delicious Crockpot Applesauce BBQ Chicken!
Tips
- Choose the Right Chicken: Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs work best for this recipe as they remain incredibly juicy and flavorful during slow cooking.
- Sauce Secret: Use a combination of sweet and tangy BBQ sauce for maximum flavor complexity. Consider mixing a smoky BBQ sauce with a fruit-infused variety for an extra flavor dimension.
- Onion Placement Matters: Placing sliced onions at the bottom of the crockpot creates a flavorful base and prevents the chicken from sticking.
- Don't Overcook: While slow cookers are forgiving, check your chicken at the
- 5-hour mark to prevent it from becoming too dry.
- Enhance the Sauce: If you want a thicker sauce, remove the chicken in the last hour of cooking and let the sauce reduce uncovered.
- Make-Ahead Magic: This recipe freezes beautifully. Store leftover chicken in sauce for up to 3 months for quick future meals.
- Serving Suggestions: Shred the chicken for pulled chicken sandwiches, serve over rice, or use as a topping for loaded baked potatoes.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 237kcal
Carbohydrates: 19g
Protein: g
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 60mg
