Slow Cooker Sweet and Spicy Chicken


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This sweet and spicy chicken is an easy slow cooker meal packed with bold flavor, perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re craving something a little different.

chicken thighs, snow peas and squash in sauce,.

This recipe for Slow Cooker Sweet and Spicy Chicken with Veggies has fresh ingredients, also it has a few pantry items you may already have on hand. I came up with this recipe by converting a grilled chicken recipe of mine that we use during the summer.

How to make Sweet and Spicy Chicken

This from scratch chicken and veggie meal is so good. Find the full recipe in the recipe card below the images.

snow peas, squash, seasonings, and garlic on a wooden table.

This recipe uses simple ingredients that come together for big flavor. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs stay tender and juicy as they cook in a sweet and tangy blend of barbecue sauce, Italian dressing, brown sugar, garlic, and a touch of red pepper flakes for heat. Dried or fresh cilantro adds a fresh, herby note, while sugar snap peas and sliced yellow squash are stirred in at the end for a pop of color and crunch. Serve it all over steamed rice for a complete, satisfying meal.

Tips and Variations

Make this recipe unique and your own with these suggestions:

Don’t skip the Italian dressing – it adds tang and depth that balances the sweetness of the BBQ sauce.

Shred or slice – shred the chicken for a saucy rice bowl or leave it whole for more traditional plating.

Swap the protein – boneless pork chops or even sliced kielbasa can work great in place of chicken.

Try a different BBQ sauce – use spicy, honey, or smoky varieties to change up the flavor.

Add more veggies – bell peppers, zucchini, or broccoli can be added in the last hour instead of or along with squash and snap peas.

chicken thighs in a slow cooker with Italian dressing being poured over.

Best Ways to Serve

Here are easy ways to serve this tangy chicken:

Serve the sweet and spicy chicken over rice to soak up all the flavorful sauce.

Try it over noodles for a fun and filling twist.

Spoon it into lettuce cups for a fresh, low-carb option.

Serve it with tortillas or flatbreads to make easy, saucy wraps.

chicken thighs on rice with garlic bread
chicken thighs, snow peas and squash in sauce,.

Slow Cooker Sweet and Spicy Chicken Recipe

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 hours
Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6
This Crockpot Sweet and Spicy Chicken features tender chicken thighs slow-cooked in a bold blend of barbecue sauce, garlic, Italian dressing, and spices, then finished with fresh veggies for a flavorful, all-in-one meal
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How to Video

Ingredients 
 

  • 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce
  • 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
  • ½ tsp. red pepper flakes
  • ¼ tsp. black pepper
  • 2 tsp. minced garlic
  • 1 ½ tsp. dried cilantro or 1 Tbsp. minced fresh
  • ½ cup Italian salad dressing
  • 3 cups sugar snap peas
  • 3 cups sliced yellow squash
  • Steamed white or brown rice for serving

Instructions 

  • Start by laying the chicken thighs in the bottom of the slow cooker. Spread over the barbecue sauce. Sprinkle over the brown sugar, red pepper flakes, black pepper, garlic and cilantro over the chicken and barbecue sauce. Pour over the Italian dressing.
  • Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours. Don’t open the lid during the cooking time.
  • After the cooking time is up. Add the sugar snap peas and squash.
  • Cover the slow cooker again, and cook for an additional hour on HIGH.
  • Serve over rice and enjoy!

Sarah’s Notes

Add additional vegetables such as water chestnuts, broccoli and mushrooms.

Nutrition

Calories: 357kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 144mg | Sodium: 830mg | Potassium: 757mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 849IU | Vitamin C: 41mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

Made this recipe? Leave a comment below!

More chicken thigh recipes that you will love:

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore and Teriyaki Chicken Thighs both bring bold, saucy flavor—one classic and savory, the other sweet and tangy.

Slow Cooker Crack Chicken and Mississippi Chicken are rich, creamy, and full of comforting flavors that make them perfect over rice or in sandwiches.

40 Clove Garlic Chicken and Root Beer Chicken may sound unusual, but both offer tender, juicy meat with surprisingly mellow and flavorful sauces.

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Recipe Rating




13 Comments

  1. Veda Beck says:

    5 stars
    We made this we love it. Delicious flavors and so easy.. My honey suggested to add water chestnuts. Thank you for a yummy and easy meal.

  2. Debbie Graham says:

    Delicious and easy.

  3. Mary says:

    I would like chicken breast recipe.

  4. Caley says:

    Hi! Would this be possible to make using the instant pot?

  5. Laura says:

    This is legit one of the best slow cooker meals I’ve ever come across. Thank you!

  6. Lori Sherman says:

    I was wondering about the chicken breasts as well? I would like to use both. Also, if you used the new crockpot that browned the meat, should we brown the meat in advance?

  7. Bonnie Weiss says:

    Looks great! Can you use chicken breasts instead? What other vegetables can be used instead of yellow squash? Thank you

  8. Deborah Thompson says:

    This looks amazing! Must try soon!!!!

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Thanks Deborah! Let me know how you like it!

  9. Michelle Meek says:

    This looks really good, but I think (for my personal taste) an onion quartered in with the other veggies would be an ideal addition.

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Onions would be a great addition!

  10. Andrew says:

    Hi Sarah my wife has an egg allergy and a lot of your recipes are chicken do you gave any beef or pork recipe?

    Thanks

    Andrew