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.
JC
I have a ‘Smokey’ bbq sauce. Will that also work with these flavors?
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, JC! You can most try it, I think that it would be fine! Let me know how your bbq chicken turns out. 🙂
Gail Flamm
what do I need for 15 people? Please Ley me know on all ingredients. Sounds delicious!
Sam
Hi Gail! This recipe makes enough to serve about 8 people. You would need to double all of the ingredients in the recipe to have enough for 15. Enjoy! 🙂
Howard
Delicious
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you, Howard! I am so glad that you enjoyed the pulled chicken. 🙂
Kelli
Are the chicken breast you used frozen or thawed?
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Kelli! I typically use thawed chicken breast when making pulled chicken. You can use frozen chicken breast, it will just take longer to cook. If I leave my crockpot on all day (low), I will use frozen. I hope that helps! 🙂
Melissa
Can I use red pepper flakes instead of crushed red pepper?
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Melissa! They are the same thing. I hope that you enjoy! 🙂
Debra Araquistain
Super easy to put together. Even easier to serve. Macaroni salad, pickles and corn on the cob. What a treat.
Jacalyn
So easy and delicious! I made this the other night, and we scarfed down every bite! I am going to make another batch today and freeze it, unless the smell makes us lose all self-control. Thanks for sharing!
Sugar Spun Run
Thanks so much, Jacalyn! I am so glad that your family enjoyed the pulled chicken. 🙂
Amanda
Can’t wait to try! Can I just omit the apple cider vinegar or use a different type? Apple cider vinegar isn’t easy to find where we live 🙁
Sam
Hi Amanda! Honestly I haven’t tried it any other way. White vinegar may work but I am not sure how it will change the flavor. Sorry I can’t be of more assistance. 🙁
MagClare
Can’t wait to give this one a try!! Any ideas how long to use for an Instant Pot instead of a slow cooker? 😃
Sugar Spun Run
Hello! I personally have never used an instant pot for this recipe so I can not advise. I know others have and have had success. I hope that you enjoy the pulled chicken. 🙂
Neyda
Can I use chicken thighs? It’s what I have in hand right now and we are having a birthday party tomorrow.
Sugar Spun Run
Hello, Neyda. I only have ever done with boneless chicken breasts. As long as you are using boneless skinless chicken thighs, it should work fine. 🙂
Diane
Hi! My husband loves pulled chicken…. minus the bbq sauce😕. Could I cook this, with all of the spices, in chicken broth (or some kind of liquid) and add the bbq sauce for my chicken at the end?
I really want to try this, it sounds delicious!!
Thanks!!😊
Sugar Spun Run
Hello, Diane! Yes, you can! Let me know how your pulled chicken turns out. 🙂
Machelle
If we double this recipe would we cook it longer?
Sugar Spun Run
Hello, Machelle! Yes, this recipe can be doubled easily. It may need to cook a little bit longer, I would just keep an eye on it. I hope that you enjoy the pulled chicken. 🙂
Arthur D
Hi! I love how easy this looks – but if I wanted to quadruple the recipe, what would that do to the cooking time?
Sugar Spun Run
Hello, Arthur! I personally have never quadrupled the recipe before so I can’t give any personal recommendations. I have had others double it with success with just a little more cook time. I would just keep an eye on it. Let me know how the pulled chicken turns out. Sorry I can’t be of more help. 🙂
Erin
Can I omit the brown sugar?
Sugar Spun Run
Hello, Erin! Yes, you can. It will alter the taste slightly but others have done it and have had success. Let me know how your pulled bbq chicken turns out. I hope that you enjoy it! 🙂
Brian
Sweet Baby rays is full of corn syrup, That is not barbecue sauce.
Sam
Hi Brian! Feel free to use your preferred BBQ sauce!
lucia barnett
What quart size basin is needed for this recipe?
Sam
Hi Lucia! Use a 6 quart basin.
lucia barnett
Thanks
Bebe
I just finished making a big crock pot full of this for about the 5th time this year. It comes out perfect every time !!!
Sam
I am so glad you enjoy the pulled chicken so much, Bebe! 🙂