Slow Cooker Butter BBQ Chicken (Sweet Baby Ray’s Style)

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Slow Cooker Butter BBQ Chicken (Sweet Baby Ray’s Style)

Description

This slow cooker BBQ chicken is tender, juicy, and packed with rich, smoky-sweet flavor. Chicken thighs and drumsticks are slow-cooked in Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce, seasoned simply with garlic powder and black pepper, then finished with real butter that melts into the sauce for an extra layer of savory richness. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it meal that keeps your kitchen cool and delivers fall-off-the-bone chicken every time.

Perfect for busy days, warm weather, or anytime you want comfort food with minimal effort.

Ingredients

  • 3–4 lbs chicken thighs and drumsticks (bone-in, skin on or off)

  • 1½–2 cups Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce

  • 1 tsp garlic powder (or to taste)

  • 1 tsp ground black pepper

  • ½ stick (4 Tbsp) real unsalted butter

  • Optional: salt (usually not needed due to BBQ sauce)

 Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken
    Place chicken thighs and drumsticks in the crockpot in an even layer.

  2. Season
    Sprinkle garlic powder and ground black pepper evenly over the chicken.

  3. Add sauce
    Pour BBQ sauce over the chicken, making sure all pieces are well coated.

  4. Finish with butter
    Place the half stick of butter directly on top of the chicken and sauce.

  5. Cook low and slow
    Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours, or until chicken is fully cooked and tender.

  6. Optional finishing step
    For thicker sauce, remove the lid during the last 30 minutes or transfer sauce to a saucepan and simmer briefly.

  7. Serve
    Spoon extra sauce over the chicken and serve hot.

Notes & Tips

  • Butter is key – it balances the sweetness of the BBQ sauce and adds richness.

  • No browning required, but you can broil the chicken for 3–5 minutes after cooking if you want crispy skin.

  • If the sauce seems thin, leave the lid off for the last 20–30 minutes.

  • Great served with coleslaw, corn on the cob, mashed potatoes, or baked beans.

 Servings

  • Serves: 4–6 people

  • Portion: 1–2 pieces of chicken per serving

Nutritional Information (Approximate, per serving)

  • Calories: 420–480 kcal

  • Protein: 28–32 g

  • Fat: 28–32 g

  • Carbohydrates: 15–20 g

  • Sugar: 12–15 g

  • Sodium: 700–900 mg

(Values vary based on sauce amount and chicken size.)

 Benefits

  • Hands-off cooking – perfect for busy schedules

  • Energy efficient – keeps your kitchen cool

  • Budget-friendly – uses affordable cuts of chicken

  • Crowd-pleaser – kid-approved, potluck-ready

  • Meal-prep friendly – reheats beautifully

Q & A

Q: Can I use chicken breasts instead?
A: Yes, but thighs and legs stay juicier. If using breasts, reduce cook time to 4–5 hours on low.

Q: Do I need to add liquid?
A: No. The chicken releases juices and the BBQ sauce provides enough moisture.

Q: Can I make this spicy?
A: Absolutely! Add cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or a splash of hot sauce.

Q: Can this be frozen?
A: Yes. Freeze cooked chicken with sauce in airtight containers for up to 3 months.

Q: Can I cook on HIGH?
A: Yes—cook on HIGH for 3–4 hours, but LOW gives the best texture.

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