Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe (Easy Crock Pot Chicken)
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Homemade BBQ sauce recipe nights are my favorite kind of supper nights — the kind where you throw something together, walk away, and come back to a house that already smells like you’ve been working in the kitchen all day.
This one is simple, cozy, and doesn’t try to be fancy. It’s just good, steady comfort food that takes the edge off a busy day and feeds your people without a lot of extra work.
Why I Love This Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe
This sauce is made with pantry staples, warms up smooth on the stove, and simmers low and slow with chicken until it’s tender and full of flavor. The molasses gives it that deep, cozy taste that feels like something you worked on all afternoon — even if you didn’t.
Ingredients for This Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe
- 1½ cups ketchup
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Grandma’s molasses
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard (or 1 teaspoon dry mustard)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Morton’s Season-All
- 2–3 lbs chicken drumsticks or thighs
How to Make This Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe
- In a saucepan, whisk together all sauce ingredients until smooth.
- Heat over medium-low for 5–7 minutes, stirring often, until warmed through and slightly thickened.
- Pour the sauce into a mason jar and allow it to cool.
- Place chicken in the crock pot.
- Pour sauce over chicken and toss to coat well.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
- For sticky edges, place cooked chicken on a baking sheet and broil for 3–5 minutes if desired.
My Notes:
I always warm this sauce up first so everything melts together smooth, then pour it into a mason jar with a spout lid and give it a good shake before pouring it over the chicken. And I always use Reynolds slow cooker liners because they save my sanity and my sink.
What to Serve With It
This is one of those suppers that works with whatever you’ve got, but my favorite way to serve it is over seasoned white rice with a side of steamed broccoli.
Mashed potatoes, brown rice, roasted veggies, green beans, or a simple side salad all pair perfectly with this chicken too.
Pin It for Later
Save this homemade bbq sauce recipe for a busy day when you want supper handled without standing over the stove.
Other Favorites Around Here
My Homemade Ranch Dressing is one of my favorite things to keep in the fridge — it’s great for dipping veggies, drizzling over salads, or adding to a quick side plate.
You might also enjoy Creamy Garlic Chicken for another easy supper that feels a little fancy without being complicated.
Homemade Crock Pot BBQ Chicken & Sauce
Ingredients
- 1½ cups ketchup
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Grandma’s molasses
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard or 1 teaspoon dry mustard when I have it
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Morton’s Season-All
- 2 –3 lbs chicken drumsticks or thighs
Instructions
- In a saucepan, whisk together all sauce ingredients until smooth.
- Heat over medium-low for 5–7 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce is warmed through and slightly thickened.
- Carefully pour the sauce into a mason jar and allow it to cool.
- Place chicken in the crock pot.
- Pour the cooled sauce over the chicken and toss to coat well.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
- For sticky edges, place cooked chicken on a baking sheet and broil for 3–5 minutes if desired.
Notes
About the Host
Hey sweet friend — I’m Ashley, the heart behind SimplyBlessedDesignz and the voice of Unscripted Conversations.
I’m a faith-filled creative who believes in Jesus, Dollar Tree flips, and showing up even when life gets messy. Whether I’m podcasting, crafting, or cooking something from scratch, my prayer is always the same: that you leave here encouraged and reminded you’re never alone.
Grab your coffee, pull up a chair, and let’s do this life—one grace-filled day at a time. 💛