This Crockpot BBQ Chicken is a quick, easy, and flavorful way to make pulled chicken. Perfect for any party, potluck, or picnic! Succulent chicken covered in an addictive BBQ sauce, then shredded. This slow cooker BBQ chicken is great for burgers, burritos tacos, on rice, and more.
Why we love this Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Recipe
This is one of my favorite (and most popular) recipes for a reason. Well, several reasons actually! Here are a few:
- Easy: Toss everything into the slow cooker and let it do all the work for you. A true set it and forget it recipe!
- BBQ sauce: The BBQ sauce in this shredded chicken recipe is all dressed up with apple cider vinegar, brown sugar and seasonings to really send it over the top.
- Versatile: There are so many ways to enjoy this BBQ chicken! I love it best when it’s piled high on a bun with some onions and pickles.
Variations on Crockpot Barbecue Chicken
There are so many ways to change up this slow cooker BBQ chicken to suit your needs. I like to add fresh onions and garlic to the pot when I have extra time. Try some of these other variations!
- Spicy Chipotle: Mixing in chipotle peppers in adobo sauce along with BBQ sauce, sliced jalapeños, and a touch of honey.
- Hawaiian: Add crushed pineapple (with juice), soy sauce, and a touch of ginger. You can also add some red bell pepper and onion slices for extra flavor.
- Mustard BBQ: Use a mustard-based BBQ sauce, a bit of honey or brown sugar, and some spices like paprika and cayenne pepper.
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How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover Crockpot BBQ chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat cooked chicken in the microwave in 30-second increments until warmed through.
How to Freeze
Freeze slow cooker BBQ chicken whole or divided into individual portions in airtight containers or Ziplock bags for up to 4 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
This crockpot BBQ chicken is so versatile! You can serve it as a sandwich on a sesame seed bun topped with coleslaw and pickles (pictured), or with a side of mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, or rice.
More BBQ Chicken Recipes We Love
- Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
- Stovetop BBQ Chicken
- Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
- Baked BBQ Chicken
- Grilled BBQ Chicken
- BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
- BBQ Chicken Foil Packets
Top Reader Review
“This was deeeeelicious!! My husband and I loved it! Probably the best I’ve had and ever made! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe!!” – Elise
Crockpot BBQ Chicken Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1½ cups BBQ sauce
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Equipment
- Crockpot
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk the BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, onion powder, and garlic powder together.1½ cups BBQ sauce, ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker.2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Pour the sauce over the chicken breasts, covering them fully.
- Cook the chicken on high for 2-3 hours, or on low for 4-6 hours.
- Shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker, or remove to shred and return to the sauce.
- Give the chicken a good stir to coat it in the sauce.
- Serve BBQ pulled chicken as sandwiches, tacos, or bowls.
Notes
- Know your slow cooker. When cooking 4 chicken breasts like this recipe calls for, I love using my 2.5 quart crockpot — it’s the perfect size and heats up quickly. If you’re cooking more chicken, you’ll likely want to use a 4-6 quart crockpot. Note that if your crockpot is too full, it will take longer to heat and cook.
- Don’t overcook. I know it can be tempting to leave the chicken in for a longer time, but longer isn’t always better. You really want to be sure you hit the sweet spot between “just enough” and “dry and unappetizing”.
- BBQ pulled chicken is great as a sandwich with a homemade slaw and pickles! You can also eat pulled chicken in a meal prep bowl, in a wrap, or as a taco.
How to make Crockpot BBQ Chicken Step by Step
Make the BBQ Sauce: Mix together 1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1/2 tsp onion powder and 1/2 tsp garlic powder.
Cook the chicken: Add 2 lbs of chicken breasts to a Crockpot. Pour the BBQ sauce all over the chicken. Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-6 hours.
Shred the chicken: Once the chicken is fully cooked, shred it with two forks and toss with the sauce.
Pat Hale says
I wish I had every one of your recipes.
Becky Hardin says
Thanks for stopping by Pat!
Eve CAUDILL says
This turned out amazing, moist, and tastey!!
Becky Hardin says
Thanks for stopping by, Eve!
Marcus says
what kind of BBQ Sauce do you use? 🙂
Becky Hardin says
You can use your favorite kind. I typically use one from local places where I live!
C. Alexander says
I made the crockpot BBQ Chicken for dinner tonight. My family loved it ! I used chopped onion and garlic instead of the powder, and used 3 lbs of chicken. It came out great ! It made enough for a few dinners for 3 adults.I will definitely be making this again. It was so easy. Thanks for the recipe.
Becky Hardin says
Thanks for stopping by and sharing!
diana P Lionetti says
I love this easy and delicious recipe for bbq pulled chicken. Can this recipe be doubled as 4 breast halves are not enought for a larger crowd. Thanks
Becky Hardin says
You can double as much as your slow cooker and handle!
Sherion Martin says
OMG! Best Ever! Everyone loved this! It’s a keeper! So simple to make. Thanks for sharing!
Becky Hardin says
Thanks for stopping by, Sherion!
Asha says
Does it matter if you use high or low?
Becky Hardin says
Depends on when you want it ready by!
Greg Williams says
It was easy to put together and tasted great
Becky Hardin says
Happy to hear!
Lisa Birdsong says
Could this be made with on bone, skin on chicken breast and remove chicken from pot, remove skin and bones shred and return to pot?
Becky Hardin says
That could work!
T. Moore says
I doubled the recipe, cooked 5 lbs of boneless breasts in 1 2.5 qt crock pot. Only change was using crushed garlic, some fresh onion, and some liquid smoke. Delicious. Served over tortilla shells and/or rice.
Becky Hardin says
Sounds absolutely amazing!!