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 that’s 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, we’ll be back in the baking business by the end of the day, but just in case it doesn’t 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 I’ve been oven-less, but it’s actually been my go-to dinner option for the past few summers. It’s a great and simple dinner option any time of the year, but especially during the summer when the weather’s too hot and humid for me to feel like turning on the oven.
Preparation involves the following:
- Pour BBQ sauce (I use Sweet Baby Ray’s) 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 I’ve 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 it’ll 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 I’ll definitely link to whenever I get that down 100%… stay tuned.
Until then I’m 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 don’t have many tips to include today — it’s essentially foolproof, there are just a few FAQ’s I’d 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 boneless skinless chicken breast¹ (1.5kg)
- 2 cups BBQ sauce (I use Sweet Baby Ray's)
- 1/4 cup light or dark brown sugar packed (60g)
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼-½ 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 cooker
- Place chicken breast in sauce and use a spoon to cover with sauce.
- 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.
Jerry W LaFever says
I made this for about 30 Filipino friends and family yesterday and it was a great success. I had just enough left over to make myself a sandwich for lunch today and its calling my name so I’ve got to stop typing and get to the kitchen fast.
Sam says
I am so glad everyone enjoyed it so much, Jerry! 🙂
Michelle G says
This was absolutely delicious!
Note: Adding cornstarch at the end thickened it up beautifully!
Sam says
I am so glad you enjoyed it so much, Michelle! 🙂
Rose says
What if I use tenders not Brest!
Sam says
I’m sure it could work but I’m not sure how it will change the cook time.
Pam Marshall says
Do you have to use red pepper flakes.
Sam says
Hi Pam! You can leave them out. They just add a little extra flavor. 🙂
MS Remy says
This as super easy and very tasty! I’d probably drain some of the chicken before putting in the barbecue sauce the next time and cut the brown sugar, personal preference, but it was a big hit for game day. Thanks!
Sam says
I’m so happy to hear this! Thank you so much for letting me know how it turned out for you! 🙂
Che says
SO yummy !!!
Anna Stepura says
I made this today and it came out absolutely delicious. I had chicken breasts in the freezer, BBQ sauce in the fridge, and everything else in the spice cabinet. So easy! Will be making again.
Wondering- have you ever tried adding a little cornstarch towards the end to make it a little thicker?
Sam says
I am so glad you enjoyed it so much, Anna! I have not tried adding cornstarch but I suppose it could work. 🙂
haven says
Hi! I was just wondering if the brown sugar is required? And if so, how sweet does it make the recipe?? Or should it be substituted for something else?? My bf and I aren’t really big fans of super sweet chicken.
Sam says
Hi Haven! You should be fine to leave it out. 🙂
Paula Reed says
Haven,
My boyfriend and I are the same way. We don’t care for sweet chicken. I used the brown sugar and it is amazing with it. The apple cider vinegar cuts the sweetness. We also double the smoked paprika and the red pepper flakes as we like spicy. We are making it again tonight. I make mine with frozen chicken breasts and it comes out perfect.
Katie says
I only have 2 lbs of chicken on hand. Should I use less of the sauce mixture?
Sam says
Hi Katie! I’d probably use about half of what the recipe calls for. Enjoy!
karen hurley says
Can you use this recipe with pork instead of chicken? I want to make pulled pork sandwiches
Sam says
Hi Karen! You can use pork, but cook time will definitely change. 🙂
Brandee says
Hi!
Sounds amazing. I was just wondering when it’s all done how many servings/sandwiches it makes.
Thanks!
Sam says
Hi Brandee! It makes about 8 servings. 🙂
Courtney says
How much is a serving size?
Sam says
It’s in between 1/3 and 1/2 pound.
Kenneth G Owens says
How many sandwiches will 8 servings make?
Sam says
8 🙂
Natalie says
Hi! I have a few questions!
Can I use a smaller size crockpot? A circular one, not an oval one? I only have a circular one. If so, does the time change?
Do you use regular size or thin sliced chicken breast?
Thank you in advance! I plan to make this for dinner tonight but want to make sure of what size chicken breast you use and if it’s okay to use the a smaller (circular) size crockpot.
Sam says
Hi Natalie! A smaller crockpot will work (so long as the chicken fits in it!) no need to change the time. I use regular chicken breast. I hope you love the recipe! 🙂
Natalie says
Last question, sorry.
Do we still use the same amount of chicken breast? And can we pile the chicken breast on top of each in the circular (smaller) crockpot? Will it cook evenly?
Thank you,
Natalie
Sam says
Same amount and yes on top of each other if they won’t fit beside each other 🙂