There’s nothing quite as comforting as the aroma of barbecue slow-cooking all day, is there? This Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken recipe is the perfect weeknight meal. It’s a crowd-pleaser, and so easy that even a beginner can make it. You’ll get tender, juicy, fall-apart chicken swimming in a tangy, sweet, and smoky barbecue sauce. Seriously, what’s not to love?
Top Reasons To Make It
This recipe is a keeper for so many reasons:
- Set-it-and-forget-it easy: Your slow cooker does all the work! Perfect for busy weeknights.
- Ultimate comfort food: This is pure comfort in a bowl.
- Budget-friendly: Chicken is affordable, and this recipe stretches it to feed a crowd.
- Versatile: Great for sandwiches, salads, tacos – get creative!
- Flavor bomb: The slow cooking process develops a deep, rich barbecue flavor that’s simply irresistible.
Ingredients
Below you’ll find the exact amounts for this recipe. Read on for a little more about what each ingredient brings to the party!
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: The star of the show. Purpose: Gives us tender, juicy pulled chicken.
- Barbecue sauce: Your favorite store-bought or homemade version. Purpose: Adds that signature sweet and smoky flavor.
- Chicken broth: Keeps the chicken moist and adds depth. Purpose: Prevents the chicken from drying out.
- Apple cider vinegar: A touch of tang. Purpose: Balances the sweetness.
- Onion powder: Adds savory depth. Purpose: Enhances the overall flavor profile.
- Garlic powder: Because everything’s better with garlic! Purpose: Enhances the overall flavor profile.
- Smoked paprika: A smoky kick. Purpose: Adds depth and complexity.
- Cayenne pepper (optional): For a touch of heat. Purpose: A little zing if you like it spicy. Honestly, if you hate heat, skip the cayenne.
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts in your slow cooker.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using).
- Pour the sauce over the chicken, ensuring it’s fully coated.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, or until the chicken is so, so tender and easily shreds with two forks.
- Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks.
- Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir it back into the sauce. Let it simmer for another 15-20 minutes to absorb all that delicious flavor. So good.
Crockpot Notes
Every slow cooker is different, so cooking times can vary. Always check the chicken for doneness—it should easily shred with forks. If it seems a little dry, add a splash more broth.
Variations & Substitutions
Feel free to get creative! Try using different barbecue sauces for flavor variations (honey barbecue, spicy barbecue, etc.). For a healthier version, use chicken breasts without skin. You can also add other veggies, like chopped onions or bell peppers, to the slow cooker with the chicken.
Serving Ideas & Pairings
This BBQ pulled chicken is incredibly versatile! Pile it high on toasted buns for classic pulled chicken sandwiches. Serve it over rice or baked potatoes. Use it as a filling for tacos or nachos. Top a fresh salad with it. The possibilities are endless! It pairs wonderfully with coleslaw, potato salad, or your favorite roasted vegetables.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover pulled chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply microwave or warm on the stovetop with a splash of broth to prevent it from drying out. Always ensure the chicken is heated to a safe internal temperature of 165°F before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen chicken? I don’t recommend it. Using frozen chicken can result in uneven cooking and a watery sauce. It’s best to thaw your chicken completely before adding it to the slow cooker for optimal results.
What kind of barbecue sauce is best for pulled chicken crock pot recipes? Any kind you like! Sweet, smoky, or even spicy barbecue sauce all work well in these BBQ pulled chicken recipes. Experiment until you find your perfect flavor profile.
What are some other Crockpot Chicken recipes? Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken, Crockpot Chicken Tacos, and Crockpot Chicken and Rice are all great options. And, of course, this Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken will become a new favorite. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, easy to make, and yields juicy chicken every single time.
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Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken: Your New Weeknight Winner
- Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
Description
This Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken is juicy, tender, and bursting with sweet, smoky flavor. Perfect for busy weeknights, sandwiches, or sliders—just set it and forget it until it’s fall-apart delicious!
Ingredients
▢ 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
▢ 1 cup barbecue sauce (store-bought or homemade)
▢ ½ cup chicken broth
▢ 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
▢ 1 tsp onion powder
▢ 1 tsp garlic powder
▢ 1 tsp smoked paprika
▢ ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
1. Place the chicken breasts in your slow cooker.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together barbecue sauce, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.
3. Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken, coating evenly.
4. Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours, or high for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is very tender.
5. Remove the chicken and shred using two forks.
6. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir into the sauce.
7. Let simmer for 15–20 minutes to soak up all that flavor.
8. Serve on buns, sliders, tacos, or over rice. So good.
Notes
To make this gluten-free, double-check your barbecue sauce ingredients.
Add more heat with extra cayenne or a splash of hot sauce.
Leftovers keep great in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: BBQ pulled chicken, crockpot BBQ chicken, slow cooker chicken sandwiches, BBQ chicken sliders