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.
Irma Acosta says
Easy to make. Total hit in my home. Everyone was licking their fingers. Thank you
Becky Hardin says
I’m so glad you all enjoyed it, Irma!
Jeanne Winland says
I made this using rotisserie chicken which I shredded. Used a combo of open pit and Kraft spicy. My first ever successful bbq! Used onions purple and white sliced very thinly. Put sauce and chicken in crock pot for 3 1/2 hours. Served on toasted buns topped with crisp cole slaw. Seriously the best bbq I ever tasted. Thank you
Davina Ragland says
This recipe is AWESOME!!!!! First time making chicken bbq and OMG tastes better than the beef or pork bbq. Thanks so much for sharing!
Becky Hardin says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Davina!
James says
FOOL PROOF!! It couldn’t be explained any easier, and the flavor is amazing.
I bumped my garlic and onion powders up to 1/4 teaspoon and added 1 teaspoon of hot pepper flakes.
I also used 1/3 of a cup of apple cider vinegar instead, just for a little more tart. Thank Yo So Much!
Becky Hardin says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, James! Thanks so much for sharing what worked for you!
Sue says
Thank you for such a delicious recipe. Crockpot recipes are my favorite when preparing for a get together. I doubled the recipe and it all got eaten. Everyone loved it. I’ll certainly be making it again!
Becky Hardin says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Sue!
Shelly Rickel says
I have made this many times for myself & a few others, made it for someone to give them to take home,made it for a Holiday Dinner at a VFW & THOSE who volunteer inthe kitchen & the crowd that come for dinner never had it before, all loved it & went on about i. It,so I told them how to make it & they were thrilled so they could make it. I still have people ask me about it toget the recipe. I absolutely l9vethus,itisa must have recipe to enjoy yourself& make for others
Becky Hardin says
I’m so happy to hear you love it, Shelly!
Lauren says
Amazing!! Thank you for providing the nutrition information. The only suggestion is can you provide the serving size? Also if you could respond with the answer that would be great!
Becky Hardin says
Hi Lauren, a serving is 1/2 pound of chicken!
Nora M says
Made this several times and we love it. Just curious what is the best way to prepare the coleslaw.
Allison says
How long to cook in crockpot for 10lbs of chicken?
Becky Hardin says
That will depend on the size of your crockpot! The more the chicken is stacked up, the longer it will take to cook vs if it has more room for air circulation. The total time should be the same if you have an XL crockpot.
Joyce Aton says
This is the easiest, best tasting bbq ever.
Becky Hardin says
So glad you loved it, Joyce!
Molly Parker says
I made this for a birthday/picnic party. Guests loved it. Ran out early. I used 4 breasts and the recipe in crockpot on low for 5 hrs. If fell apart it was soo tender, i personally thot it needed more flavor. I added some more bbq sauce to it but was still lacking flavor in my opinion. I will make it again as my guests requested it.
Becky Hardin says
I’m sorry to hear it wasn’t quite to your tastes, Molly! I recommend using a brand of BBQ sauce you love for the best flavor!