![Slow Cooker Burnt Honey Barbecue Chicken](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.foodandwine.com/thmb/LYbJ1n0mXM0LGGbwW8ZIh6Lknko=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/fw_slow-cooker-barbecue-chicken-ft-recipe2019117-8480b45b6ebb4a33bf49ec226dc88aab.jpg)
Ingredients
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1 tablespoon sweet Hungarian paprika
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2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
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1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
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1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
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1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
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8 (4-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
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2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
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1 tablespoon unsalted butter
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1 cup finely chopped yellow onion (from 1 onion)
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1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic (from 3 garlic cloves)
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1 cup apple cider
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1/4 cup tomato paste
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1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
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1 tablespoon dark chili powder
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1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
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1 teaspoon black pepper
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1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
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1/2 cup honey
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1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
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1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Directions
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Stir together paprika, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, dry mustard, thyme, and garlic powder in a small bowl.
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Sprinkle spice mixture evenly over both sides of chicken thighs. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Add 1 tablespoon oil; swirl to coat. Add 4 chicken thighs to skillet. Cook, undisturbed, until spice mixture darkens, 4 to 6 minutes per side. Transfer to a 6-quart slow cooker. Wipe skillet clean, and repeat procedure with remaining 1 tablespoon oil and remaining 4 chicken thighs.
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Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium until sizzling. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion has softened and garlic is just beginning to brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in cider, tomato paste, Worcestershire, chili powder, Dijon, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and remaining 1 teaspoon salt until blended. Pour sauce over chicken. Turn chicken thighs with tongs to coat with sauce. Cover and cook on HIGH until chicken is tender, about 2 hours and 30 minutes (or on LOW 4 to 5 hours). Using two forks, shred chicken.
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Just before serving, bring honey to a boil in a small saucepan over medium. Reduce heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally, until honey is dark amber in color and smells like molasses, about 5 minutes. Pour into slow cooker. Stir in lemon juice and vinegar.