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    Ingredients » Recipes » Chicken

    Crockpot BBQ Chicken Recipe (Pulled Chicken)

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Apr 10, 2023 by Dee

    This Crockpot BBQ Chicken Recipe makes tender flavorful pulled chicken for the best barbecue chicken sandwiches. Everyone loves this easy recipe, and it is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner! via @meamel

    This easy Crockpot BBQ Chicken Recipe makes tender flavorful pulled chicken for the best barbecue chicken sandwiches. Everyone loves this easy recipe, and it is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner!

    Jump to Recipe -
    crockpot BBQ chicken sandwich with pulled chicken on a plate
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Crock Pot BBQ Chicken
    • Cook Time
    • Crock Pot Shredded BBQ Chicken
    • How to Store and Reheat
    • Recipe Variations
    • How to Serve Shredded BBQ Chicken
    • Recipe
    • Reviews

    This easy slow cooker bbq chicken recipe is now my favorite way to make a bunch of pulled chicken. This is a great recipe to have in your back pocket when you need an easy dinner.

    I love to make crockpot pulled bbq chicken on busy weeknights or when I need a simple dinner on the weekends. I use my slow cooker year round, and this easy slow cooker recipe is perfect if you're looking for easy summer crockpot meals!

    If you're looking for more crockpot chicken recipes, try my Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches, Crockpot Honey Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches, Crockpot Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwiches and my Crock Pot recipes page.

    boneless chicken, BBQ sauce and seasonings

    Ingredients

    You need a few simple ingredients for this easy slow cooker chicken recipe. You find them in your grocery store.

    • Chicken -- boneless skinless chicken breasts or skinless chicken thighs
    • BBQ sauce -- I use Sweet Baby Ray sauce as it's my favorite brand of barbecue sauce, but you can use a bottle of your favorite barbecue sauce or homemade barbecue sauce.
    • Seasonings -- Garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt and black pepper. I like the added flavor, but you skip the extra spice if you want.

    How to Make Crock Pot BBQ Chicken

    First, spray the bottom and sides of the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. You can also use a crock pot liner if you like.

    Then, place the chicken on the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle the seasonings on top of the chicken.

    Then, pour the BBQ sauce over the chicken.

    chicken with seasoning and bbq sauce in slow cooker

    Cook Time

    Place the lid on the slow cooker, and cook for 2-3 hours on high or 3-4 hours on low. The exact cooking time depends upon the size and brand of your crockpot and the size of the chicken.

    My crockpot cooks super fast, so it takes about 2 hours on high. When the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees f, it's done.

    chicken smothered in bbq sauce in slow cooker

    Crock Pot Shredded BBQ Chicken

    Shred the chicken with 2 forks. Or, use a hand mixer (my favorite way) or stand mixer to easily shred chicken.

    Return the chicken to the slow cooker to soak up that delicious barbecue sauce. You can add extra barbecue sauce for saucier chicken if you like.

    Keep the crockpot on warm or low until you are ready to eat.

    slow cooker bbq pulled chicken in kitchen tongs

    How to Store and Reheat

    Refrigerate leftover BBQ chicken in an airtight container. It will stay fresh for 3-4 days. You can freeze leftover chicken in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container for up to 3 months -- great for meal prep!

    Reheat BBQ pulled chicken in the microwave or on the stove top. Add more sauce as needed.

    Recipe Variations

    In a hurry? Make my Instant Pot BBQ Chicken in less than 30 minutes!

    Use chicken thighs if you prefer dark meat. The cook time remains the same.

    Add red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, Worcestershire sauce or chipotle sauce for added spice and different flavor. Add honey or brown sugar for sweetness.

    You can add a little chicken broth if needed or if you prefer a thinner sauce.

    crock pot bbq chicken sandwich on plate with potato chips

    How to Serve Shredded BBQ Chicken

    Serve pulled BBQ chicken in hamburger buns or slider buns. You can also make BBQ chicken nachos or serve the chicken over a baked potato or sweet potatoes.

    We love to serve these BBQ chicken sandwiches with simple side dishes like potato salad, coleslaw, fries or potato chips!

    Recipe

    crockpot bbq chicken sandwich on a plate

    Crockpot BBQ Chicken

    Published by Dee
    This Crockpot BBQ Chicken Recipe makes tender flavorful pulled chicken for the best barbecue chicken sandwiches. Everyone loves this easy recipe, and it is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner!
    5 from 13 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Email
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 3 hours hrs
    Total Time 3 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8
    Calories 194 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Crock-Pot

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 cup BBQ sauce plus extra as needed

    Instructions
     

    • Spray crock pot with non stick spray
    • Place chicken on bottom of slow cooker
    • Sprinkle salt, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika and black pepper over chicken
    • Pour BBQ sauce on top of chicken
    • Place lid on slow cooker, and cook for 2-3 hours on high or 5-6 hours on low or until chicken is 165℉
    • Shred chicken using 2 forks or a hand held mixer. Return to crock pot and keep warm until ready to eat. Add more sauce if needed.
    • Serve on sandwich buns

    Notes

    Cooking time may vary with different sizes or brands of slow cookers.
    Add more BBQ sauce after shredded chicken, if desired. Flavor and thickness will vary with different brands of barbecue sauce.

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 194kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 24gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 791mgPotassium: 514mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 176IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    My family loves this easy crockpot chicken recipe. They say it is the best recipe for BBQ chicken!

    I hope you enjoy this easy meal as much as we do. If you do make this slow cooker chicken, please leave a star rating and/or comment.

    For more slow cooker chicken recipes and easy dinner ideas, sign up for the weekly newsletter and follow on social media.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Randy says

      July 14, 2023 at 11:48 am

      Definitely better in the crock pot! Flavor is much stronger and meat is super tender! A new favorite!5 stars

      Reply
    2. Lili says

      April 29, 2023 at 12:43 am

      This is extremely good! The sauce especially is delicious. Definitely making for dinner again!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        April 29, 2023 at 8:33 pm

        So glad you liked the chicken. Thanks for the wonderful review!

    3. Patrick says

      April 12, 2023 at 10:13 am

      Made this last night and there is so much more flavor when slow cooked!
      Can't wait for the left overs!5 stars

      Reply

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    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

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