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.
Hannah
Looks delicious! Can I use boneless/skinless thighs in place of breasts?
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Hannah! Yes, that will be fine as long as they are boneless. 🙂
Jarissa
This recipe was a hit in my house! I love when I come across recipes that make me look like an awesome cook. Super easy to just dump and relax. I didn’t have Apple cider vinegar but it turned out great anyways so I’m sure next time it will be even better! I used a little less that 2 pounds and halved everything and it took exactly 3 hours on high in my crockpot for the chicken to be able to shred. Thanks for the recipe!
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that the chicken was a hit with your family, Jarissa! Thank you so much for trying my recipe. 🙂
Dawn Baxter
Will it work without the apple cider vinegar? I don’t have any vinegar at all and can’t get any at this time. 🙁
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Dawn! Yes, omitting the vinegar will be fine. Enjoy! 🙂
vm
can this work with bone-in chicken breast? If so, would you make any modifications?
Sugar Spun Run
Unfortunately, No. I do not recommend it. 🙁
Margaret Pearce
Just made this today. WOW. So good. Easy too. Couldn’t be happier.
Only difference I did was a different brand BBQ sauce, and when it was done, I reduced the sauce that was left to make it nice and thick.
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that your family enjoyed the chicken, Margaret! Thank you for trying my recipe and for commenting. 🙂
Karen
Funny. This is the exact same recipe that I created myself years ago when I stopped eating pork. I made it this weekend. It’s my son’s favorite. I like to serve it with slaw as a side. I like traditional slaw, but this time I made an Asian slaw from Costco that was delicious. It’s great for a crowd when you need something flexible for dinner.
Sugar Spun Run
I am glad to hear that it is a family favorite, Karen! 🙂
Victoria Zamudio
I followed your BBQ recipe exactly except just for 2 people. I also used leftover Turkey I had, as I did not have chicken. I left the crushed red pepper out too because my boyfriend can’t eat spicy. This turned out AMAZING! Served with potato salad. That BBQ sauce recipe is just GREAT. Thank you so much for sharing.
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed it, Victoria! Thank you so much for commenting. 🙂
Sam
This recipe has become a fan-favorite at our football tailgates! Everyone asks us to bring it now. Thanks for sharing!
Sugar Spun Run
I am so happy to hear that the pulled chicken has been requested often and enjoyed by many. Thank you for trying my recipe and for sharing it with others. I appreciate the feedback. 🙂
Nancy
I made it last night and served it over rice. Delicious. I used Newman’s Own Hickory BBQ sauce.
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed the bbq chicken, Nancy! Thanks for trying my recipe. 🙂
Rama Farr
Can you double this recipe?
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Rama! Yes, this recipe doubles easily. 🙂
Saul
been making your recipe for a year but today is three Crock-Pots for the Local FOE 3973 EAGLES LOUNGE in Santee ,CA. Love your pulled chicken BBQ RECIPE.
Saul G. in SD
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Saul! I am so glad that you enjoyed it! 🙂
Hannah
Does the chicken need to be thawed for this recipe, or will frozen chicken work as well?
Sugar Spun Run
Hello, Hannah! Frozen will work just fine, however, it may need a bit longer to cook. I hope that you enjoy the pulled chicken! 🙂
Lori
Can you tell me how many this recipe would feed please. Thank you
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Lori! The serving size is 8. It will really depend on how much chicken is served at one time. I would say you will be safe to feed 6 adults. 🙂
Alecia
I am doing the shorter cook time option. Once the chicken reaches 160 degrees should I attempt to shred it?
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Alecia! You can certainly try to shred it then. If it does not shred easily, it may need a bit longer. Kepe me posted on how it turns out. 🙂
Patty
I forgot the brown sugar and it came out perfect!! Thank you for this recipe
Sam
You’re very welcome, I’m so glad you enjoyed! 🙂