Why This Recipe Feels Like a Hug
- It’s almost completely hands-off. The crockpot does all the quiet work.
- The house fills with the most amazing, smoky-sweet aroma.
- You only need a few simple things you probably already have.
- So versatile – lovely in sandwiches, on salads, or in tacos.
- That fall-apart, tender texture is just divine.
- It’s pure comfort food, plain and simple.
Oh, this is a lifesaver. I made this for a family get-together, and everyone raved. It was so tender and juicy. Honestly, the easiest 'fancy' meal I’ve ever made. It’s now on our regular rotation. Thank you for this!
Essential Ingredient Guide
- Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce: This is really the heart of the dish. It has that perfect balance of smoky and sweet that just works. Of course, you can use your family's favorite, but this one is a classic for a reason.
- Zesty Italian Dressing: This might seem like a funny addition, but trust me. It adds a little tang and a layer of herbs that cuts through the richness of the barbecue sauce. It’s a quiet little secret ingredient.
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless breasts work so well because they shred beautifully. If you prefer darker meat, thighs are also wonderful and will be extra juicy.
Complete Cooking Process
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Getting Started:
- First, just place your chicken in the slow cooker. No need to do anything fancy to it.
- Then, mix your sauce ingredients in a bowl. It feels nice to watch the colors swirl together.
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The Slow Cook:
- Pour that sauce right over the chicken. Try to cover it all.
- Put the lid on and walk away. This is the magic part. Let the cooker do its thing for a few hours. The smell will tell you when it’s getting close.
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Finishing Touches:
- Once the chicken is cooked, gently lift it out. It will be so tender.
- Shred it with two forks. It's a satisfying feeling, watching it pull apart so easily.
- Put all that shredded chicken back into the sauce and give it a stir. Let it rest for a few minutes to soak everything up. Then, it's ready.
A Few Common Questions
→ Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Oh, absolutely. Chicken thighs would be delicious and extra moist. The cooking time should be about the same.
→ How do I store the leftovers?
Just pop it into an airtight container and it will keep in the fridge for about 4 days. Honestly, it might even taste a little better the next day.
→ Is this recipe very sweet?
It has a lovely sweetness from the brown sugar and BBQ sauce, but the Italian dressing and Worcestershire sauce add a nice balance. It’s not overly sweet, just rich and flavorful.
Chef's Tips
Every slow cooker can behave a little differently, so your chicken might be done on the shorter or longer end of the time range. Just check for tenderness.,If you like a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes in the sauce is a wonderful touch.
Sweet Baby Rays Crockpot Chicken
Make Sweet Baby Ray's crockpot chicken. This easy recipe is tender and flavorful, perfect for busy weeknights or cozy Sunday meals.
Timing
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
4-6 hours
Total Time
4 hours 5 minutes
Recipe Details
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 01 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 02 1 bottle (18 oz) Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce
- 03 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 04 1/4 cup zesty Italian dressing
- 05 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 06 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker. Just lay them flat.
In a small bowl, gently whisk together the BBQ sauce, brown sugar, Italian dressing, and Worcestershire sauce until it's all combined.
Pour this lovely sauce all over the chicken. Make sure every piece gets a little coating.
Cover and let it cook on low for 4-6 hours, or on high for 2-3 hours. The chicken should be wonderfully tender.
Carefully take the chicken out and place it on a board. Using two forks, shred it. It should just fall apart.
Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and give it a good stir to soak up all that beautiful sauce.
Serve it warm on some soft buns or however you like. It's just perfect.
Notes & Tips
- 1 Every slow cooker can behave a little differently, so your chicken might be done on the shorter or longer end of the time range. Just check for tenderness.
- 2 If you like a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes in the sauce is a wonderful touch.
Tools You'll Need
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6-quart Slow Cooker
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Small mixing bowl
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Whisk
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Two forks (for shredding)
Must-Know Tips
- Resist the urge to peek! Keeping the lid on the slow cooker traps the heat and moisture, which is key to tender chicken.
- If you have a moment, toasting the buns before serving makes a world of difference for sandwiches.
- Don't be afraid to let the shredded chicken sit in the sauce for a good 10-15 minutes on the 'warm' setting. It really soaks up the flavor.
Professional Secrets
- For a deeper, smokier flavor, add just a tiny drop of liquid smoke to the sauce. A little goes a very long way.
- After shredding the chicken and returning it to the pot, add a small pat of butter. It adds a silky richness to the finished sauce.
- If the sauce seems a little thin, you can remove the chicken and turn the slow cooker to high for 20-30 minutes with the lid off to let it reduce a bit before adding the chicken back in.
Recipe by
Sofia Marin“Dinner is where stories are shared and flavors shine. I craft comforting recipes perfect for family nights.” 🍷🍲
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