Crockpot BBQ Chicken: Easy Pulled Recipe
Effortless Weeknight Dinner Slow Cooker.
Easy, tender pulled BBQ chicken made right in the crockpot. Perfect for sandwiches and weeknight meals.
I remember making this for the first time for a casual get-together with friends. I was so worried about getting everything ready, but this recipe was a lifesaver. It just cooked itself while I tidied up the house. When everyone arrived, the chicken was perfectly tender and ready to shred. It felt effortless, but everyone raved. It’s become a staple for easy entertaining or just a simple, cozy family dinner.
Why This Recipe Feels Like a Hug
- •It’s a true 'set it and forget it' meal, which I love.
- •The chicken comes out incredibly tender and juicy every single time.
- •Your whole house will smell warm and wonderful.
- •It’s perfect for feeding a family or a small crowd without any fuss.
- •So versatile! Use leftovers for sandwiches, salads, or even tacos.
Honestly, this is the best and easiest pulled chicken I've ever made. The chicken was fall-apart tender and so flavorful. I piled it high on some brioche buns, and my family devoured it. This is definitely going into our regular rotation!
Essential Ingredient Guide
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs work beautifully. Thighs will give you an even more moist result, but breasts are classic and shred so perfectly.
- Your Favorite BBQ Sauce: This is the heart of the recipe, so use one you truly love. Whether it's sweet, smoky, or spicy, it sets the tone for the whole dish. It's your sauce, your rules.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Just a little splash cuts through the richness of the sauce and adds a lovely, subtle tang. It really balances everything out and keeps it from feeling too heavy.
Complete Cooking Process
- Grab a small bowl. This is the easy part.
- Whisk together your BBQ sauce and all the seasonings until they're nicely combined.
- It smells so good already, doesn't it?
- Lay the chicken in the crockpot.
- Pour that beautiful sauce all over it.
- Put the lid on, set it to low, and walk away. The magic is about to happen.
- Once the chicken is tender, gently lift it out.
- Shred it with two forks. It's so satisfying to watch it fall apart.
- Put all that lovely shredded chicken back into the sauce, give it a good stir, and let it hang out for a few minutes.
- Time to eat!
A Few Common Questions
→Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
You can, but I really recommend thawing it first for the best texture and to make sure it cooks evenly. If you must cook from frozen, you'll need to add at least 1-2 hours to the cooking time.
→How can I make this BBQ chicken spicy?
Oh, that's a great idea. Just add a pinch of cayenne pepper, a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce, or some chopped chipotle peppers in adobo to the sauce mixture.
→What's the best way to shred the chicken?
Two forks work perfectly and are my go-to method. But, a little secret? You can use a hand mixer on low speed right in the crockpot (after draining some liquid) for super fast shredding. It feels like cheating, but it works!
→Can I prepare this in advance?
Absolutely. It's a wonderful make-ahead meal. You can store it in the fridge for a few days, and honestly, the flavors get even better overnight.
Crockpot BBQ Chicken: Easy Pulled Recipe
Make the best crockpot BBQ chicken with this easy pulled chicken recipe. Perfect for sandwiches, salads, and more! Just a few simple ingredients and your slow cooker does all the work for a tender, flavorful meal.
Timing
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
4-5 hours on Low
Total Time
4 hours 10 minutes
Recipe Details
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 012 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 021 1/2 cups of your favorite BBQ sauce
- 031/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 042 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 051 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 061 teaspoon onion powder
- 071 teaspoon garlic powder
- 081 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 091/2 teaspoon salt
- 101/4 teaspoon black pepper
For Serving (Optional)
- 01Brioche buns or slider rolls
- 02Creamy coleslaw
- 03Dill pickle slices
Instructions
In a small bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker in a single layer.
Pour the prepared BBQ sauce mixture evenly over the chicken, making sure it's all coated.
Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Shred the chicken using two forks. It should fall apart easily.
Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir it into the sauce until it's fully coated. Let it sit on the 'warm' setting for about 15-20 minutes to soak up all that flavor.
Serve warm on toasted buns with your favorite toppings like coleslaw or pickles. Enjoy the easiest, most delicious meal!
Notes & Tips
- 1Chicken thighs are a great substitute for breasts if you prefer dark meat; they come out exceptionally moist.
- 2Feel free to adjust the brown sugar based on the sweetness of your chosen BBQ sauce.
- 3This recipe easily doubles if you're cooking for a larger crowd.
Tools You'll Need
- •Resist the urge to lift the lid while it's cooking! The crockpot needs to maintain a consistent temperature to work its magic.
- •Shred the chicken directly in the crockpot (or return it after shredding) to let it soak up every last bit of the delicious sauce.
- •For a deeper, smokier flavor without a smoker, add a tiny drop (and I mean tiny!) of liquid smoke to the sauce.