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An easy dinner recipe comes to the rescue!Crockpot BBQ pulled chickenis a family-friendly meal that only requires about 5 minutes of prep. Serve it on a salad, stuff it in sandwiches, or wrap it in tortillas — the freezer-friendly, versatile pulled chicken appeals to just about everyone at the table. We love the sweet and savorypulled BBQ chickenrecipe withcornbread,biscuits,mac and cheese,collard greens, orcoleslaw.
Table of Contents
- How to Make Crock Pot BBQ Pulled Chicken | 1-Minute Video
- Why You’ll Love this Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
- Crockpot BBQ Pulled Chicken Ingredients
- How to MakePulled BBQ Chickenin Crock Pot
- The Best Way to Shred Chicken
- What to Serve withPulled BBQ Chicken
- How to Store Leftover BBQ Pulled Chicken
- Crockpot BBQ Chicken Recipe
If you’re looking for even more Crock Pot chicken recipes, try this Crock Pot chicken stew, slow cooker chicken and gravy, and Crock Pot garlic sesame brown sugar chicken, too!
How to Make Crock Pot BBQ Pulled Chicken | 1-Minute Video
Why You’ll Love this Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
- Easy. Thiscrockpot BBQ chicken recipeis one of my go-to dinner options onbusy weeknightswhen I don’t have time to cook. All you need to do is dump thesimple ingredientsinto the pot and go!
- Bold Flavor. Some slow cooker dinners become watered down as a result of the condensation in the pot. Not here! The bbq sauce is thick, rich, zesty, and full of flavor.
- Versatile. Serve the tender, juicy, fall-apartpulled BBQ chickenon abarbecue chickensandwich, a cob salad, a taco,BBQ chicken nachos, or your favorite veggies and sides. You can even use the pulled chicken on aflatbreadBBQ chicken pizza!
Crockpot BBQ Pulled Chicken Ingredients
This is a quick overview of the ingredients that you’ll need for our favoritecrock pot BBQ chickenrecipe. As always, specific measurements and complete cooking instructions are included in the printable recipe box at the bottom of the post.
- Barbecue sauce:I like a thick sauce for this dish (such asSweet Baby Ray’s) so that it doesn’t get too watery and thin in the slow cooker. Feel free to use yourfavorite BBQ sauce.
- Brown sugar:a dark brown sugar adds great molasses flavor, butlight brown sugarwill also be fine. This adds sweetness but also helps to thicken the sauce.
- Worcestershire sauce:for umami flavor.
- Apple cider vinegar:a tangy, bright addition that cuts through the sweet, rich meat.
- Olive oil:for richness and a smooth, flavorful sauce.
- Smoked paprika, chili powder,onion powder, andgarlic powder:classic ingredients inour favorite dry rub BBQ seasoning. Adding extra spices to the slow cooker prevents the dish from tasting bland and watered down.
- Chicken:you’ll need about 2 pounds ofboneless skinless chicken breastsor bonelessskinless chicken thighs. The dark meat thighs tend to stay juicier over the longcooking time, but either option is great.
- Kosher salt and groundblack pepper:to enhance the other flavors in the dish.
How to MakePulled BBQ Chickenin Crock Pot
This idea came from my sister-in-law, who made a similar dinner when we were visiting a couple of years ago. With many small children to keep track of, the crockpot BBQ chicken was an easy way to get a tasty,easy mealon the table without spending toomuch timein the kitchen.
It has a rich, sweet, and savory taste that can’t be beat. Jackie served the chicken with oven-roastedsweet potatoesand coleslaw from the deli, but it’s really versatile and pairs nicely with so many different sides.
Here are the quick steps to make this easy crockpot BBQ pulled chicken recipe:
- Whisktogether the barbecue sauce, brown sugar,Worcestershire sauce, vinegar,olive oil, and seasoning in a slow cooker.
- Seasonthe chicken on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Addthe chicken to the Crock Pot and spoon some of the sauce over the meat.
- Coverand cook on LOW for4-6 hoursor on HIGH for2-3 hours.
- Removethe chicken to acutting boardor a large bowl and shred the meat with two forks.
- Returnthe pulled chicken to the slow cooker, stir with the sauce, and then serve asBBQ chicken sandwichesor on its own!
Can you overcook chicken in a slow cooker?
Yes, chicken that’s cooked for too long in the Crock Pot will become dry and tough. Since every slow cooker runs at a slightly different temperature, it’s important to keep an eye on your chicken the first time you prepare thiseasy recipe.The chicken is done when it reaches aninternal temperatureof 165°F.
The Best Way to Shred Chicken
There are a few easy ways to shred slow-cooked BBQ chicken. The first and most basic is with two forks. Slow-cooked, tender chicken will shred easily with forks. You can either shred the chicken right in the crockpot or remove it from the slow cooker and shred it in a bowl or on acutting board.
Another easy way toshred chickenis with ahand mixer. Put thecooked chickenin a bowl and use thehand mixeronlow speed. The mixers will make easy work of shredding the BBQ chicken. You can also use astand mixer or achicken shredder tool. It may seem kind of gimmicky, but it certainly works!
How long does it take to cook BBQ chicken in a slow cooker?
Every slow cooker runs at a slightly different temperature(which is why the recipe gives you general time ranges rather than exact times). Since my slow cooker tends to cook at a relatively high temperature, I find that the meal is best when cooked on HIGH for about 2 hours or on LOW for about 4 hours. Just get familiar with your pot and adjust accordingly.
In general, cooking chicken on low shouldn’t take longer than6-7 hours, and cooking on high shouldn’t take longer than3-4 hours. Again, variations like the thickness of the meat, if it’s thawed or frozen, and if there is more or less meat in the slow cooker will all affect thecooking time. Using a meat thermometer and testing theinternal temperatureperiodically is thebest wayto monitor doneness.
Do you need to put liquid in the slow cooker when cooking BBQ chicken?
No, with this recipe, you do not need additional liquid in the slow cooker! The BBQ sauce provides plenty of liquid. However, if you prefer your sauce to be thinner, add water orchicken brothinto the crockpot with the chicken. Additionally, I recommend covering thebottom of the slow cookerwith a spoonful ofextra sauce, which will ensure all sides of the chicken are coated with sauce and will stay nice and moist.
What are the best toppings for BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches?
There are tons of options — use yourfavorite toppingsfor customized flavors! Here are some popular options:
- Cheese like cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese, or Monterrey jack cheese pair well with BBQ flavors.
- Vegetables like slicedred onions, pickles, jalapeno slices, or fried onions.
- Extra sauce. Drizzle withextra BBQ sauce,Italian dressing(adds a tangy zing), mustard, or mayo.
- Coleslaw is a no-brainer. A creamy coleslaw adds tang and sweetness. A dry, vinegar-dressed coleslaw adds a delicious crunch.
What to Serve withPulled BBQ Chicken
Pile theshredded chickenonhamburgerbuns, use it on pizza, nachos, tacos, salad, or offer the tender, flavorful meat on its own with your favorite side dishes.It’s also agreat recipeto use formeal prep, as you can make a large batch at once and it stores well. Here are some easy options that go well with BBQ chicken:
- Hush Puppies
- ColeslaworVinegar Coleslaw
- Hoe Cakes
- Baked Potato Wedges,Twice Baked Potatoes,3-Ingredient Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes,Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream and Chives,Skin On Mashed Red Potatoes, Baked Potatoes, or Easy Potato Salad
- Skillet Cornbread,Bakery-Style Corn Muffins,Honey Cornbread,Old-Fashioned Corn Sticks,Sweet Cornbread Muffins
- Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese,Crock Pot Mac and Cheese,Stovetop Shells and Cheese, orNo-Boil Easy Mac and Cheese
- Southern Buttermilk Biscuits,Flaky Biscuits,Aunt Bee’s 3-Ingredient Buttermilk Biscuits,Sweet Potato Biscuits,Cheese Biscuits,Easy Drop Biscuits
- Corn Salad, Jiffy Corn Casserole, or Fried Corn
- 3-Ingredient Sour Cream Muffins
- Wedge Salad,Classic Caesar Salad,House Salad with Candied Pecans,or aGreen Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette
- Refrigerator Dill Pickles, Cucumber Salad with Vinegar, Tomato Cucumber Onion Salad, or Cucumber Dill Salad
- Arkansas Green Beans with BaconorSouthern-Style Green Beans
- Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
- Fried ApplesorBaked Apple Slices
- Southern Succotash
- Southern Collard Greens
- Fried Okra
- Broccoli and Cheese
- Easy Pasta Salad
- Homemade Baked Beans with Bacon
- Charleston Red Rice
- Okra and Tomatoes
- Southern Squash Casserole
- Cheese Grits
- Fried Cabbage with Apples and Onion,Braised Red Cabbage, orRoasted Cabbage
How to Store Leftover BBQ Pulled Chicken
Leftover BBQ chickenwill keep in anairtight containerin therefrigerator for3-4 days.
How to Freeze Pulled Chicken
To extend the life of your pulled chicken, store the leftovers in anairtight containerin thefreezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
You can also freeze the raw ingredients together in a large Ziplocfreezer bagif you’re prepping a batch of freezer meals. Thaw the bag in the refrigerator overnight, and then dump everything from the bag into a slow cooker when you’re ready to cook the meat.
How to Reheat Pulled Chicken
Place thecooked chickenandextra barbecue saucein a saucepan on the stovetop. Cover with a lid and warm overlow heat, just until the meat reaches the desired temperature (stirring regularly).
Slow Cooker BBQ ChickenRecipe Variations & Cook’s Tips
- Use your favoritehomemade BBQ saucein this recipe rather than the store-bought version.
- Addextra flavor, like a Hawaiian twist with crushed pineapple and juice, or a spicier version with chipotle and peppers.
- Serving a larger group?Double all of the ingredients. (Keep in mind the capacity of your slow cooker.)
- Make it spicyby adding somecayenne pepperto the spices.
- Want to makepulled BBQ chickenin theInstant Pot?Myroot beerbarbecue chickenrecipeis myfavorite wayto cook chicken in anInstant Pot.
- Use eitherboneless chicken breastsor boneless,skinless chicken thighsfor this recipe. We find that the dark meat thighs stay a bit juicier during the slow cooking process, but they are both great.
- Pick a thick store-bought barbecue sauce,which won’t get too watered down and thin in the Crock Pot. We likeSweet Baby Ray’s brandfor this dish.
- Be careful not to overcook your chicken.I find that the chicken breast or thighs have the best texture when cooked in my slow cooker on HIGH for about2-3 hours(at the most — sometimes they’re done in just 90 minutes). That keeps them moist and juicy, and prevents them from drying out. The meat is done when it reaches aninternal temperatureof 165°F.
More Easy Crock Pot Chicken Recipes to Try
Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
6 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice
4 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
Chicken Corn Chowder {Crock Pot}
3 hours hrs 45 minutes mins
Crockpot BBQ Chicken
5 from 2 votes
Prep: 5 minutes minutes
Cook: 3 hours hours
0 minutes minutes
Total: 3 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 382 kcal
This easy meal is ready with about 5 minutes of prep! Crockpot BBQ pulled chicken is zesty and flavorful, perfect for pulled chicken sandwiches, nachos, tacos, and countless other easy-prep meals.
Ingredients
- 1 (18 ounce) bottle barbecue sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional, for serving: coleslaw, sandwich buns, pickles
Instructions
In a large slow cooker, whisk together the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, smoked paprika, chili powder, onion powder, and garlic powder.
Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper to taste. Place the chicken in the slow cooker and spoon some of the sauce over top.
Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours. Shred the chicken with two forks. Stir the meat back into the sauce. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if desired.
Video
Notes
- Use your favorite homemade BBQ saucein this recipe rather than the store-bought version.
- Add extra flavor, like a Hawaiian twist with crushed pineapple and juice, or a spicier version with chipotle and peppers.
- Serving a larger group?Double all of the ingredients. (Keep in mind the capacity of your slow cooker.)
- Make it spicyby adding some cayenne pepper to the spices.
- Use either boneless chicken breasts or boneless, skinless chicken thighsfor this recipe. We find that the dark meat thighs stay a bit juicier during the slow cooking process, but they are both great.
- Pick a thick store-bought barbecue sauce,which won’t get too watered down and thin in the Crock Pot. We likeSweet Baby Ray’s brandfor this dish.
- Be careful not to overcook your chicken.I find that the chicken breast or thighs have the best texture when cooked in my slow cooker on HIGH for about 2-3 hours (at the most — sometimes they’re done in just 90 minutes). That keeps them moist and juicy, and prevents them from drying out. The meat is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Nutrition
Serving: 1/6 of the chickenCalories: 382kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 33gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 97mgSodium: 1086mgPotassium: 824mgFiber: 1gSugar: 38gVitamin A: 665IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 51mgIron: 2mg
Keyword: bbq chicken recipe, crock pot chicken recipe, crockpot bbq chicken, pulled BBQ chicken in crock pot, slow cooker barbecue chicken
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American, Southern
Author: Blair Lonergan
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