by Ryan Allen 2 Comments
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This crockpot BBQ chicken is incredibly easy to make and loaded with sweet, zesty flavor. It's perfect for pulled chicken sandwiches, tacos, wraps, or served with your favorite side dishes.
Warm weather is coming, and that means it's time for barbecue! I love to grill all kinds of food when the weather warms up, but my crock pot gets just as much action. This BBQ chicken is an incredibly popular recipe with family and friends, and I love serving it on soft buns.
This recipe was inspired by another pulled BQQ recipe on my site, and, when served as a sandwich, it pairs well with this easy corn on the cob recipe. You can wash it down with this strawberry lemon water.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This BBQ Chicken
- Ingredients
- Flavor Variations and Substitutions
- How to Make Crock Pot BBQ Chicken
- Hint
- Storage
- What to Serve BBQ Chicken
- Tips
- FAQ
- More Crock Pot Chicken Recipes
- Crockpot BBQ Chicken
Why You'll Love This BBQ Chicken
- The sauce has the perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors.
- It's an easy slow cooker recipe. Just add all the ingredients and let the slow cooker do the rest.
- It's easily adjustable to create your perfect flavor profile.
- It's a budget-friendly meal that can feed a crowd.
- The slow cooker makes the chicken incredibly tender and juicy.
Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- BBQ sauce
- Apple cider vinegar
- Garlic - minced
- Onion powder
- Black pepper
- Paprika
- Brown sugar
See the recipe card at the end of the post for exact quantities.
Flavor Variations and Substitutions
- Try boneless chicken thighs for a deeper, richer flavor.
- Add hot sauce or red pepper flakes for a kick of heat.
- Use your favorite BBQ sauce to create different flavor variations.
- Add onions and bell peppers for a tasty twist with more flavor and texture.
How to Make Crock Pot BBQ Chicken
1: Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of a slow cooker.
2: Combine the remaining ingredients to make the BBQ sauce and pour it over the chicken.
3: Cook until the chicken is tender.
4: Shred the chicken in the slow cooker with two forks, then mix to distribute. Enjoy!
Hint
Mix your BBQ sauce ingredients before adding them to the slow cooker to ensure even flavor distribution.
Storage
Refrigerate this BBQ chicken for up to 3 days in an air-tight container. For longer storage, freeze it for up to 3 months in an air-tight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag with as much air removed as possible. Defrost before reheating.
To reheat the chicken, add it to a saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through, adding more BBQ sauce as needed if the chicken seems dry. You can also microwave portions in a bowl covered with a damp paper towel at 1-minute intervals until heated through.
What to Serve BBQ Chicken
Serve this chicken on rolls for delicious pulled chicken sandwiches, in tortillas for BBQ chicken tacos, or with tasty sides like:
- Rice
- Crock Pot Cornbread
- Crock Pot Collard Greens
Tips
- Use a crock pot liner for easy cleanup.
- YOu can shred the chicken with 2 forks, a stand mixer, or an electric hand mixer. Remove the chicken from the crock pot if using a hand mixer.
- If the chicken begins to look too dry, add a little more BBQ sauce or broth for more moisture.
- Your chicken is done when you can easily shred it with a fork.
FAQ
Can you put raw chicken in the crock pot?
Yes, you can put raw chicken in the crock pot. These cooking vessels were designed specifically to cook raw meat over a long period of time at low temperature. Generally, it will fully cook in 2-3 hours on high heat or 4-6 hours on low heat.
Can I leave shredded BBQ chicken in the slow cooker overnight?
No, leaving cooked shredded BBQ chicken in the slow cooker for more than 2-4 hours is not safe, as it will begin to dry out. Store cooled leftovers in the fridge and reheat as necessary.
Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, but it may take longer to cook and release more liquid than thawed chicken. To thicken the sauce, reduce the liquid in the slow cooker and add a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with one tablespoon of water) before serving.
Why is my pulled chicken tough?
The chicken may become tough if overcooked or if using lean chicken breasts. To avoid this, cook for a shorter time, consider using chicken thighs for more moisture, and add liquid like chicken broth or sauce.
Why is my crock pot chicken not shredding?
If your crockpot chicken isn't shredding, it may be undercooked or not tender enough. Ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and allow it to cook until fork-tender. Using chicken broth during cooking can help maintain moisture for easier shredding. In addition, if you let your chicken get too cool before shredding, it will be more difficult.
More Crock Pot Chicken Recipes
- Crock Pot French Onion Chicken
- Crock Pot Ranch Chicken
- Crock Pot Tuscan Chicken
- Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken
- Crock Pot Chicken and Noodles
- Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits
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Crockpot BBQ Chicken
Author: Ryan Allen
This easy Crockpot BBQ Chicken recipe is delicious and easy to make! With less than ten ingredients, you’ll have tender shredded chicken in a sweet and tangy sauce that’s perfect for pulled chicken sandwiches and tacos or to enjoy with your favorite side dishes.
5 from 14 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 3 hours hrs
Total Time 3 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 201 kcal
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken breast
- 1 (18 oz) bottle barbecue sauce
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsp garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
Instructions
Place chicken breasts in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
Add BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic, onion powder, black pepper, paprika, and brown sugar in a medium bowl. Whisk until well combined and pour over the chicken.
Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-6 hours.
Shred the chicken in the slow cooker with two forks. Then mix into the sauce.
Serve on buns or over rice, and enjoy!
Nutrition
Calories: 201kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 32gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 97mgSodium: 180mgPotassium: 586mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 61IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 1mg
*Nutrition information is an estimate. It may vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact ingredient numbers, I recommend calculating them with your preferred nutrition calculator.
Keyword Crockpot BBQ Chicken
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
More Easy Crock Pot Dinners
- Baked Chicken Tacos
- Slow Cooker Teriyaki Meatballs
- Slow Cooker Mushroom Chicken
- Crock Pot Pizza
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Bree C
This recipe has easily become a family favourite. Thank you!Reply
Ryan Allen
That makes me so happy to hear.
Reply
