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.
James
Hey Sam! I’ve got mine in the crockpot right now! 😀 I was actually just curious if you knew the actual serving size? I would assume 4oz with the chicken? And also would you know the macro nutrients for each serving? I’m currently dieting for a body building competition and this looked perfect to fit into my diet!
Sam
Hi James! A serving would be about 6-7 ounces. I do not have the macro nutrients, but there are many sites out that can break it down for you if you put the ingredients in. Sorry I can’t be of more assistance. Good luck with your competition! 🙂
Deana
Can this be done with thighs
Sam
I think that would work great! Enjoy 🙂
Laura
Could this recipe work with pulled pork?
Sam
Hi Laura! I haven’t tried it, but I think it would work. I’m not sure if you would need to alter the cook time or not. 🙂
Eliana
About to try this! Wondering if you’d be willing to update with an Instant Pot adjusted recipe 🙏
Sam
Hi Eliana! I unfortunately don’t even have an instant pot to try it. If you try it, I would love to know how it turns out. 🙂
Cari
I make this in my IP. 20 minutes, manual, high pressure. Quick or natural release. Delicious 👍
Elba Hernandez
I want to make this in an oven, do I need more liquid and how long should I cook it and at what temperature
Sam
Hi Elba! You really aren’t going to get the same results if you make it in the oven. It’s going to be a lot more difficult to make it shreddable in an oven. I haven’t tried it this way so I am not sure how long or what temperature you would need.
Diane
Hi! How many pounds of chicken would you recommend making to serve 50 people?
Sam
Hi Diane! It really depends on how much each person eats. This recipe should serve about 8 people with 3.5 pounds of chicken. If you use the same portions, you would need about 22 pounds of chicken, which leaves each person a little bit less than 1/2 pound of chicken. 🙂
Diane
Thanks for your fast reply! If I were to make six times as much as the recipe calls for, what should I do with the spices? Will it end up being too much if I multiply them by 6? Meaning, if I put in 6 teaspoon garlic powder, 3 teaspoons onion powder, 3 teaspoons smoked paprika, and 2 tsp. crushed red pepper, it seems like that would be adding way to much. Any suggestions on how many spices I should use of each? I don’t want the flavor messed up by adding more than needed. Thanks in advance!
Sam
I have honestly never made it in such a large batch, I’m hesitant to say whether or not to increase the seasonings that much. It may end up being too much. 🙂
Meli
AMAZING
Sam
Thank you so much! 🙂
Jeff
Started doing this a while back because pork is so dry. No BBQ?
Simple fajita or taco seasonings and instant anything from tacos and nachos to enchiladas, quesadillas, etc. Mmmmmm!
Basic seasonings and great for salads or chicken salad!
Chicken is so easy.
Ruth
Can you double the recipe?
Sam
Hi Ruth! That will work great. Enjoy! 🙂
Joe
How long should the chicken cook if you double the recipe?
Sam
I haven’t tried it so I can’t be sure. I don’t think it would need to cook for much longer. 🙂
Sarah
Made this and served with a vegetable salad and made homemade coleslaw to put on sandwiches. Excellent recipe. This is replacing my old bbq chicken recipe-easy to make and feeds many people. Good for leftovers and freeze if needed (I have not frozen it yet but I am guessing one can). Thanks for sharing this!
Sam
I am so happy to hear you enjoyed, Sarah! Thank you so much for commenting, I appreciate it! 🙂
Chuck Kaelin
Made this with two pounds breast and one and a half pounds thighs. It is delicious and being served over basmati rice served with roasted vegetables! Tastes great!
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed the chicken, Chuck! 🙂
Major
I just made this recipe looks delicious in the crockpot going out for the day so excited when I get back home it will be all done it’s on slow cook now
Sam
I hope you love it! 🙂
Any
Could this still work with chicken tenderloins instead of breasts?
Sam
Hi Any! Yes that should work fine. 🙂
Lisa
We made this recipe for a grad party for over 250 people and it was a Huge Hit. We also ordered food from a well known vender and this recipe was the first to go with guests asking for more. My husband said he wished he would have prepared more of this bar b que chicken and ordered less, much more expensive, food from the vender. At the end of the day, everyone was very satisfied with all the delicious dishes, and our family enjoyed our guests. Thanks for the recipe!
Sam
Wow that’s a lot of people! I am so glad everyone enjoyed it so much. 🙂
Di
Lisa, how many pounds did you end up making for all those people? Just curious because we are throwing a party soon. Thanks!
Nancy Kim
Not only did this taste wonderful and was so easy to make, it cost me $6 to make between the chicken and the bbq sauce. It fed 4 with leftovers for next day. Also made cole slaw using bagged cabbage. Another cheap and easy side dish.
Sam
I am so glad everyone enjoyed the chicken, Nancy! 🙂