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 (1.5 kg) boneless skinless chicken breast¹
- 2 cups BBQ sauce (I use Sweet Baby Ray's)
- ¼ cup (60 g) light or dark brown sugar packed
- 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 cooker2 cups BBQ sauce, ¼ cup (60 g) light or dark brown sugar, 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
- Place chicken breast in sauce and use a spoon to cover with sauce.3.5 lbs (1.5 kg) boneless skinless chicken breast¹
- 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.
VMoreau
Excellent I just made it exactly as directions show. Would not change a thing.
Sam
So happy to hear this! Thank you so much for trying my recipe! 🙂
Ally
Will cook times change if I use pork instead of chicken? Also I only have a pound less should I adjust any measurements? We love the chicken every time but I want to try it with pork
Sam
Hi Ally! I haven’t tried making it with pork so I’m not sure how to advise on the cooking times. You may be able to get away with less ingredients with a smaller piece of meat, but I’d be hesitant to say how much to reduce it. 🙁
Amber
I would say to reduce the ingredients down by a Third of the original ingredients. From my experience, Pork hold flavor more then chicken. So, usually by the slow cooker on low method….less is more with pork.
It will be done sooner then chicken as well. So I’d say to just check it every couple of hours and when it easily falls apart it’s ready.
I think the pork will taste really good with this recipe.
God bless!
Alicia S.
This recipe was delicious! I didn’t have apple cider vinegar so I used white vinegar and onion flakes instead of onion powder.
Maria
Can you make this with a Carolina mustard bbq sauce?! Maybe just leave out the brown sugar??
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Maria! Pretty much any BBQ sauce will work here. You should be fine to leave the brown sugar in. Enjoy! 🙂
Brooke
Can I cook it freeze it? Wondering if it’ll be okay after cooking and freezing.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
That should work fine, Brooke! 🙂
Kristin Archibald
Thank you for sharing this recipe. I just made it and it’s so delicious! 🙂
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so glad to hear you liked this recipe Kristin! It’s one of our favorites. 🙂
Rhonda McKnight
Will this recipe work with boneless skinless chicken thighs? If so are there any modifications to the recipe?
Sam
Hi Rhonda! Others have used thighs, but I’m not sure on a bake time. Some report they are done sooner so I would just keep an eye on it. 🙂
Rob
Best pulled chicken ever!!❤
Bit
Hi!
I’m planning on making this this weekend.
How would you cook this if the recipe is cut in half? (cooking time and high/low)
Sam
I haven’t tried it but I believe the cook time will remain the same.
Deana
I made this exactly like the recipe says and me and my family are obsessed! My husband asks me to make it every other week and I can’t complain because it’s so inexpensive and easy!!
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it so much, Deana! 🙂
Evelyn
I’m gonna make this recipe this weekend for Father’s Day dinner; we shall see how it goes.
Ken Easterling
I am from Texas and I can tell you this BBQ chicken is top notch. I made it with some dried Pinto Beans that I cooked up. Made me ready to move back to Texas.
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed it so much, Ken! 🙂
Kristina
Delicious! Perfect balance of sweet and a touch of spice, I made it exactly as the recipe states. I look forward to making this again soon!
Jeannette
Can you make this dish ahead of time 1 or two days? Thanks
Ashley @ Sugar Spun Run
Hello, Jeannette! Yes, you can! Enjoy. 🙂
Carol
I’m cooking for 11 adults and 3 small kids. How many chicken breasts would you recommend and should I double the sauce?
Thanks, Carol
Sam
Hi Carol! This makes about 8 servings as listed so I think if you double the recipe you will have more than enough. Yes I would increase the sauce as well so you have enough. 🙂