Juicy shredded chicken in a zesty sauce, this Crockpot BBQ Chicken needs just 5 ingredients and 5 minutes prep. The slow cooker does the rest!
Boneless chicken breasts are cooked in a rich BBQ sauce and then shredded. Serve this saucy meal over dinner rolls, hamburger buns, or even over mac and cheese for the perfect meal!
Here’s Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
- It takes just 5 minutes to prepare. Chop an onion, toss all ingredients in the slow cooker and set it and forget it!
- It needs just 5 ingredients plus buns/slaw for serving!
- The chicken comes out so tender and flavorful, you can practically shred it with a spoon.
- BBQ chicken sandwiches make a great weeknight meal or can be served at a party to feed a crowd.
- If you’re having a get-together, prep as directed and leave it on warm in the slow cooker so your guests can serve themselves.
Ingredients
This recipe is made with a handful of staple ingredients!
- CHICKEN – Boneless skinless chicken breasts are a favorite in this recipe but chicken thighs work too. If you only have split chicken breasts, be sure to remove the skin before adding to the slow cooker and remove the bones once cooked.
- LIQUID We add a bit of broth or beer to cook the chicken. We love the flavor beer adds, a lighter beer works best in this recipe. No beer? No Problem! Skip the beer and use chicken broth.
- BARBECUE SAUCE – Use your favorite brand of barbecue sauce or homemade bbq sauce for this recipe. It is a primary flavor in this recipe, so pick the one you love! (My favorite bottled sauce is Sweet Baby Ray’s).
Optional Additions
Try any of the following variations:
- Like it sweeter? Add a bit of brown sugar or some molasses.
- Feeling spicy? Add a diced jalapeno for a kick.
- No onions? Use 1 teaspoon of onion powder.
- Want it zesty? Stir in a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar.
How to Make Shredded Chicken in Crockpot
This recipe is as easy as 1, 2, 3!
- Place all ingredients in the slow cooker
- Cover and cook until tender.
- Remove chicken and shred chicken using two forks. Stir in some of the juices and additional bbq sauce if desired.
How Long to Cook BBQ Chicken in a Slow Cooker
When it comes to making crock pot chicken right, we’ve got you covered!
- Cook on high about 4-5 hours.
- Cook low and slow is my preference and tends to keeps the chicken more tender. Cook on low for 7-8 hours.
- Keep on warm once cooked and shredded to serve at gatherings.
When a meat thermometer reaches 165°F in the thickest part, dinner is served!
What to Serve with Crockpot BBQ Chicken
This chicken has endless possibilities but our favorite is to make it into a chicken sandwich! Pile the barbecue chicken on hamburger buns with a big scoop of coleslaw.
Add some grilled corn and one of the salads below!
Rolls and Wraps: Hamburger buns, ciabatta rolls, wraps, tortillas, dinner rolls (for sliders)
Or Serve Over: Mac and Cheese, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes, Oven Baked Rice
Leftovers
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken can will last a few days in the fridge. It’s great as sandwiches, spooned over mac and cheese, make bbq chicken nachos or pizza, or spoon it over rice or baked sweet potatoes.
Keep in mind the shredded chicken will soak up the sauce as it sits so add some extra barbecue sauce if needed.
Pulled chicken freezes perfectly, just put it in a freezer bag with the date on it – it should keep for a couple of months in the freezer!
More Chicken Sandwich Recipes
Did you make this Crockpot BBQ Chicken Recipe? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Crock Pot BBQ Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breasts approx. 4 breasts
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 onion finely diced
- 2 cups barbecue sauce divided
- ½ cup light beer or chicken broth
To Serve
- 8 hamburger buns
- coleslaw
Instructions
- Place chicken breast in the slow cooker and season with garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Add onion, 1 cup barbecue sauce, and beer. Cook on low 6-7 hours or high 3-4 hours.
- Remove chicken from the slow cooker and shred using two forks. Ladle some of the juices into the chicken.
- Drizzle with remaining barbecue sauce and serve on hamburger buns with coleslaw.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Chicken, Slow Cooker
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
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Can I use a can of soda (like Dr. Pepper) instead of beer or chicken broth?
That should work just fine! Let us know how it goes!
wow fantastic recipe and so easy to make, thank you for sharing! i added both beer and chicken broth to mine and came out perfect.
Glad you enjoyed it!
question, i want to use both beer and chicken broth as mentioned at the top of this page, do i put 1/2 cup of beer and 1/2 cup of chicken broth?
I would suggest 1/4 cup of each so you have a total of ½ cup liquid.
Great recipe
Hello!! Can I use alcohol free beer?
Alcohol-free beer will work in this recipe or you could use chicken stock instead!
thanks holly i love chiken
Awesome, as usual. Thank you so much!
Tried this and just another great recipe! Thanks!
Great recipe!
Thanks Bonita!
Hello Holly
This is Tere from Mexico. I’ve just find your page and I so excited to start preparing your delicious recipes.
I have a question, if I prepare half of the ingredients, do I have to reduce cooking time also or it is the same time as the original recipe? Thank you and take care of yourself
Hi Tere, you should be able to leave the cooking time the same even with halving the recipe. But you can check the chicken early to make sure it doesn’t get overcooked. Just use a meat thermometer and make sure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F before shredding :)
Can Crockpot BBQ Chicken be done in a pressure cooker instead? Love your recipes! So many have become permanent meals for us.
Hi Patricia, we have never tried this recipe in the instant pot. If you do, we would love to hear how it turns out!
Are you able to use frozen chicken breast?
For this recipe, I would recommend defrosting the chicken before adding to the crockpot Tracy. But let us know how it turns out!