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.
A Moore
Has anyone tried this with a pork shoulder?
Bernadette
For a pork I poured Root beer over it a cook in a Crock pot for about 6 hours on high, sometimes I let it cook overnight. Shred the Pork and add your BBQ SAUCE
Ashley
So super easy and delicious! I made it last night as a quick set and forget meal. My fiancé demands that I make it again next week!
Sam
I’m so happy to hear it was a hit! Thank you for commenting, Ashley!!! 🙂
Dawn
Can I double this?
Sam
Hi Dawn! You can certainly double this pulled chicken. Enjoy! 🙂
Sarah S. Stuart
We ate half…pesky fingers hit the wrong key!
Sugar Spun Run
No worries 🙂
Sarah S. Stuart
We are half and froze the other half…it was just as good thawed and reheated…..it’s so easy and so good.
Sugar Spun Run
I am so happy that you enjoyed the pulled chicken, Sarah! 🙂
Margo
Can you make this ahead of time and freeze it?
Sugar Spun Run
Hi Mary! I haven’t frozen it myself, but I don’t see any problems doing so. Enjoy! 🙂
Heléne Michel
I plan to make this on a Saturday, but reheat and serve Sunday evening. My slow cooker does have a warm setting. Do you think I should use that to heat the next day, or warm it in the microwave.
Thank you!
Sam
Hi Helene! It really depends on your preference. If you want it done fast, you can do it in the microwave. If you have the time to wait it out in the slow cooker you can certainly do that. Either way will work. 🙂
Margaret
Wow! This was fantastic. Make it and forget it… I made it according to the directions, set the crockpot on high, and it was perfect in 4 hours. Absolutely delicious!!! Thanks for the great recipe. This one’s a keeper!
Sam
I am so happy to hear you enjoyed the pulled chicken, Margaret!! Thank you so much for commenting and letting me know how it turned out for you, I appreciate it 🙂
Josh
Recipe is great! I do have a question, sometimes I want to make this in the morning, but serve at dinner time. Do you have any suggestions? Would it be bad to leave cooking on low in crock pot all day or would it be best to take out and then reheat at dinner?
Sam
Hi Josh! Does your crock pot have a warm setting on it? If you cook it all day, I’m afraid it will dry out. You would be better reheating it. 🙂
Josh
Thanks so much for the advice. The crock pot does have a warm function (that I never used), I will try that. We use chicken thighs instead of breasts and on low they only take about 4 hours so are always afraid of them drying out. Keep up the good work, we love your pizza dough recipe as well!
Jamie
Hi question, which flavor of sweet baby rays did you use? They have several. I have “sweet & spicy” but if I use that adding more brown sugar would be way too sweet. I was thinking of mixing a hickory smoked or Jack Daniels + a little sweet baby rays. Thoughts?
Sam
Hi Jamie! I used the classic version. Sometimes I do use sweet & spicy. If you add the extra sugar it will make it a little bit sweeter. That is really a preference on your end. 🙂
Lauren
I’m guessing this needs to be made with thawed chicken? Also do you think this would be tasty on a bed of rice with a side of vegetables? Or better on a bun?
Sam
Hi Lauren! Yes the recipe uses thawed chicken. I prefer mine on a sandwich, but rice and vegetables would probably be really good too! 🙂
Jennifer
Approximately how many people will this feed?
Sam
Hi Jennifer! It makes about 8 servings, but of course that is dependent on portion size. 🙂
Lee W
Really easy and REALLY good! Thanks
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed the pulled chicken, Lee! 🙂
Nancy
Made this at our beach week in NC. ALL loved it! Gone in 2 days- dinner, lunch yummm. My grandsons lovedit👍
Sam
I am so glad everyone enjoyed the pulled chicken, Nancy! 🙂
Donna
Great recipe especially for summer. My son will only eat cutlets but loves this. Thanks
Sam
I’m so happy to hear it was a hit! Thanks for commenting, Donna 🙂