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.
Patti Spalding
Simple and delicious! We loved this and will definitely make again.
Chris
Great recipe will make it again!!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy you enjoyed the chicken, Chris! ❤️
lynn
I cooked on low for 6 hours and all I can smell is burning
Sam
Yikes! I would check that your slow cooker isn’t broken.
Tracy
Sounds delicious! Would it be as good if not shredded and eaten as full breast?
Sam
Hi Tracy! It’s going to fall apart so I’m not sure that will even be possible. 🙂
Michelle
Has anyone ever made it I. The crockpot then transferred to. Different dish for transport? I have to bring to Christmas dinner and lugging a hot crockpot isn’t fun. Was thinking I should pre-cook then just warm up there. But what dish to transfer to?
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Michelle! That will work fine. Any oven/microwave safe dish will work for warming it up once you arrive 😊
Marla
This recipe was delicious exactly as written! I’m gluten free so served it over baked potatoes. We loved it! Perfect!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Sounds like a yummy combination, Marla! We are so glad you enjoyed 😊
Shelly
Can you use a dutch oven instead of a crock pot? If so, does that affect the heat/cooktime?
Sam
Hi Shelly! It could work, but without having tried it I can’t say for sure how cook time would change. Let me know how it goes if you try it. 🙂
Jessica
Love love love this recipe! Curious if I can freeze it before being cooked and thaw it out for cooking? Going out of town and want to leave behind a few eats meals for my husband and kids!
Sam
Hi Jessica! I haven’t frozen it before baking, but I don’t foresee any issues in doing so. 🙂
Angie
Oh dear! We don’t eat much bread. Do you think this would taste good over rice? Thanks!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Absolutely, Angie! Enjoy ❤
Angie
Thanks, Emily: What I loved about this recipe was how little time it took to make. I used walnuts (pre soaked and dehydrated) instead of almonds and it was so good! (I have to soak my nuts in order to digest them.)
Ari
Yes it’s so good! And mozzarella cheese
kristine frey
We love this in our house! There’s nothing like a taste of a summer cookout in the middle of winter 😊
I’d like to make this for a birthday party coming up. Could I double (or triple) the recipe? Would I need to manage any adjustments to the cool time? thanks for any ideas or ideas!
Sam
Hi Kristine! As long as it all fits in your crockpot you probably won’t need to make many adjustments to the cook time, but I haven’t tried it. You’ll just want to make sure to check it to ensure it’s completely done. 🙂
kristine frey
Ok, thanks so much, Sam. Really grateful for this recipe—and your helpful feedback! I’ll give it a whirl 😊
Andrea
I’d like to know why an above review mentions walnuts and almonds. Neither are in this recipe 🤔
Sam
I am really not sure.
J Salt
Always a hit at my house! I add an onion sliced and it almost caramelizes while the chicken is cooking. Yum!
Sam
Always a big hit when I make this!
Jen
Can I freeze half the recipe/ leftovers after its already been cooked? I’m only cooking for 2 people so that would be helpful
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
You sure can, Jen! Enjoy 😊
Beth
Could you use frozen chicken breasts? And approximately how many breasts is 1.5 pounds?
Thanks!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Beth! It’s not recommended to cook frozen chicken in a crock pot–it makes a breeding ground for bacteria. Also, it really depends on the size of the chicken breasts, but typically four breasts usually end up being 1.5 lbs. 🙂
sam
I only use frozen chicken breasts. I cook the same amount of time.
Mary
Is there s recipe for buns? Look so yummy!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Mary! You can always try our burger buns or potato buns. 😊
Elizabeth Goff
Can I use boneless chicken thighs
Sam
I haven’t tried it, but I don’t see any issues in doing so. 🙂
Jen
Never use frozen chicken in the Crock-Pot, only the Instant Pot. The Crock-Pot doesn’t come to temp quickly enough to kill the bacteria.
Monica
I have made a similar recipe for years, using the crockpot. As long as it is cooked through at the end, it doesn’t matter how long it takes. Just think about Turkey @ Thanksgiving, it takes several hours to cook. As long as the final temp is correct, you don’t have to worry about it.
Ally
Do you need the apple cider vinegar? Just curious I have everything else was trying to avoid a trip to the store! Thanks!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Ally! You could use white vinegar instead. We don’t recommend skipping the vinegar entirely though! Hope that helps 😊
Alexander kelly
Absolutely delicious. Very easy. Family loved it. Will make again. Amazing