Slow-cooked Barbecued Chicken Recipe

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Seeking barbecued chicken perfection? Enlist the help of your slow cooker. It couldn't be easier to cook up delicious, lemony barbecued chicken using your favorite kitchen appliance. Follow this recipe for the easiest dinner you've made all month. Spices like paprika, salt, garlic powder, and pepper add a kick, while ketchup, cola, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and bourbon round out the flavor profile. After just a few prep steps, all you have to do is set it and forget it. Six to seven low-and-slow hours later, your chicken will be transformed. Your slow cooker—and this recipe, which is destined to be a kitchen classic for years to come—will help you reach peak barbecued chicken in no time. (Just remember to save those pan juices in Step 4! They belong on your plate too and will make this delicious chicken even more irresistible.)

Slow-Cooked Barbecued Chicken
Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
Active Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
5 hrs 20 mins
Yield:
6 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons salt

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper

  • 1 (3- to 3 1/2-lb.) cut-up whole chicken

  • 1/2 cup cola soft drink

  • 1/3 cup ketchup

  • 1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

  • 2 tablespoons bourbon

  • 1 lemon, sliced

Directions

  1. Stir together first 4 ingredients in a small bowl. Sprinkle over chicken. Place chicken in a single layer in a lightly greased 6-qt. slow cooker.

  2. Whisk together cola soft drink and next 4 ingredients in a small bowl. Slowly pour mixture between chicken pieces (to avoid removing spices from chicken). Place lemon slices in a single layer on top of chicken.

  3. Cover and cook on HIGH 5 hours (or on LOW 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 hours) or until done.

  4. Transfer chicken pieces to a serving platter; discard lemon slices. Skim fat from pan juices in slow cooker. Pour pan juices over chicken; serve immediately.

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