A simple recipe that shows you how to make Crock Pot BBQ chicken (also known as BBQ Pulled Chicken!) at home in your slow cooker! This is a quick, easy, and so flavorful recipe thatโs perfect for any party, potluck, or picnic!
My oven broke earlier this week and as I type this it is currently in pieces across the kitchen while Zach works on repairing it. If all goes as planned, weโll be back in the baking business by the end of the day, but just in case it doesnโt I have a batch of Crock Pot BBQ Chicken simmering in my slow cooker and ready to go for dinner tonight.
This Crock Pot BBQ Chicken has come in handy a lot this week while Iโve been oven-less, but itโs actually been my go-to dinner option for the past few summers. Itโs a great and simple dinner option any time of the year, but especially during the summer when the weatherโs too hot and humid for me to feel like turning on the oven.
Preparation involves the following:
- Pour BBQ sauce (I use Sweet Baby Rayโs) and spices in crockpot.
- Add Chicken and cover with sauce.
- Cook. Shred. Enjoy.
Boom, done. Delicious.
And yes, I do use a pre-made BBQ sauce as the base for this recipe, though I also add other seasonings and spices to really develop the flavor. This is how Iโve made this Crock Pot BBQ Chicken for years and it keeps it simple, something you can toss together in the morning before you go to work without a second thought and itโll be ready to serve when you walk back through the door in the evening.
That said I may also be working on developing my own BBQ sauce, which Iโll definitely link to whenever I get that down 100%โฆ stay tuned.
Until then Iโm sharing this well-tested and well-loved pulled chicken recipe, It tastes great on a fresh roll but I also enjoy eating it by the forkful out of a bowl, no roll required.
This recipe is so simple that I donโt have many tips to include today โ itโs essentially foolproof, there are just a few FAQโs Iโd like to cover.
Can you overcook chicken in a slow cooker?
Yes, overcooking your chicken will result in meat that is tougher and drier than desired. For best results, monitor your chicken for it to reach a temperature of 160F and it should be easy to shred. For this recipe that means cooking it around 3-4 hours on high, or 6-7 hours on low.
What goes well with pulled chicken?
Most salads and side dishes go well with pulled chicken. These are my personal favorites:
Alright, wish me luck with my oven because this is a pretty nerve-wracking ordeal for me, seeing it in 20 pieces across my kitchen!
Enjoy!
How do you make pulled chicken in a crock pot?
Crock Pot BBQ Chicken
Ingredients
- 3.5 lbs (1.5 kg) boneless skinless chicken breastยน
- 2 cups BBQ sauce (I use Sweet Baby Ray's)
- ยผ cup (60 g) light or dark brown sugar packed
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ยฝ teaspoon onion powder
- ยฝ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ยผ-ยฝ teaspoon crushed red pepper
Instructions
- Combine BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and crushed red pepper in the basin of a slow cooker2 cups BBQ sauce, ยผ cup (60 g) light or dark brown sugar, 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 Tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ยฝ teaspoon onion powder, ยฝ teaspoon smoked paprika, ยผ-ยฝ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- Place chicken breast in sauce and use a spoon to cover with sauce.3.5 lbs (1.5 kg) boneless skinless chicken breastยน
- Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high 3-4 hours. Chicken is done when it is easily shredded with a pair of forks.
- Shred chicken and stir well to coat with BBQ sauce. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Alana
Do you know how long to cook this in an insta pot and what setting? Thanks!
Sam
Hi Alana! Unfortunately I have not tried this in an instant pot so I canโt say for sure how to cook. If you do try it I would love to know how it goes and what you do. ๐
Erica
We cook this in an instant pot occasionally and cook it on high pressure for 20 minutes, natural vent for ten. It turns out a little saucier, but is still very delicious!
Janine
Can I make this a day ahead of when I need it, then just reheat it?
Sam
Hi Janine! That should work just fine. ๐
Nancy
Iโve made this recipe many times- family fav. I think itโs even better the next day.
Sam Merritt
Iโm so glad everyone has enjoyed it so much, Nancy! ๐