Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
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Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken is the perfect recipe for those days when dinner needs to make itself. Minimal prep, barely any dishes, and somehow you still end up with tender, saucy, fall-apart chicken that tastes like you actually tried.
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Recipe
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
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This dish is one of those back-pocket meals you’ll come back to again and again. Toss everything in, walk away, and come back to something that works on sandwiches, over rice, stuffed into baked potatoes, or straight out of the crockpot with a fork (no judgment).
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Why You’ll Love This
This is one of those recipes that earns its spot on repeat without even trying.
It’s ridiculously simple, like, five minutes and done simple. The ingredients are pantry-friendly, the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, and the end result is juicy, flavorful chicken coated in sweet, smoky BBQ sauce.
Also? It feeds a crowd without stressing you out, which is always a win.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken breasts
- BBQ sauce
- Garlic powder
- Salt & pepper
Step By Step Directions
Start by seasoning your chicken generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Place it right into your crock pot.
Pour the BBQ sauce over the top, making sure everything is nicely coated. No need to overthink it.
Cover and cook until the chicken is tender and cooked through. Once it’s done, pull it out, shred (it should fall apart easily), then return it to the slow cooker and mix it back into the sauce.
Tips & Tricks
If you’ve got an extra minute or two, here are a few ways to make it even better:
- For a deeper flavor, you can add a splash of apple cider vinegar or a pinch of brown sugar, but it’s absolutely not required.
- Make it spicy by adding sliced fresh jalapenos or my pickled jalapenos!
- Don’t overcook it. Chicken breasts can dry out if left too long, even in a slow cooker.
- Want it saucier? Add a extra BBQ sauce at the end after shredding.
How to Serve It
This is where things get fun, because this chicken works with everything.
Pile it onto buns for easy BBQ chicken sandwiches with homemade pickles, serve it over rice, baked potatoes, or mashed potatoes, or add it to your favorite recipe. It’s also great for meal prep, just portion it out and you’re set for the week.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
You can also freeze it for longer storage, just let it cool completely, then freeze in portions. Reheat gently so it stays nice and tender.
More BBQ Chicken Recipes to Try
- BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
- BBQ Chicken Nachos Recipe
- Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Tacos Recipe
- BBQ Chicken Taquitos Recipe
- Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs
- See all our best recipes using BBQ sauce!
How to Make Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 – 3 pounds chicken breasts
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (more for serving, if desired)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Place in the slow cooker.
- Pour the BBQ sauce over the chicken, spreading evenly to coat.
- Cover and cook on high for 3–4 hours or low for 4–5 hours, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred using two forks.
- Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to coat in the sauce. Serve warm. Stir in additional sauce as desired.
Notes
- Use your favorite BBQ sauce for best flavor—this recipe is very sauce-forward.
- Chicken thighs can be substituted for a juicier option.
- Add extra BBQ sauce after shredding if you prefer it saucier.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for longer storage.
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
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Tools We Love
- Crock Pot Slow Cooker – I’ve had this slow cooker since my husband and I were married in 2003!
- Wooden Spatula – My wooden spatulas are my absolute favorite to stir with. I don’t know why, but I feel like a real cook when I use them.
- Stainless Steel Tongs – I’m a huge fan of having a good sturdy set of stainless steel tongs for serving food. Or six. I actually have six. But let’s start with one. These tongs are affordable and work great.
Other Awesome Slow Cooker Recipes
- Slow Cooker Pork Chops
- Crack Chicken Recipe
- Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken
- Mississippi Pot Roast Recipe
- Crock Pot Ham
- See all our best slow cooker dinner recipes!
Final Thoughts
This is one of those recipes that feels almost too simple to share, I think about how often I make it and that means I need to share!
It’s easy, reliable, and always hits the spot whether you’re feeding a crowd or just trying to get dinner on the table without losing your mind.
And once you make it the first time? Don’t be surprised if it quietly becomes part of your regular rotation.
Frequently asked questions
Yes! Chicken thighs work great and tend to be even more tender and forgiving.
No, it’s best to thaw the chicken first for even cooking and food safety. If you want to cook from frozen, use our Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Recipe instead.
Whatever you love! Sweet, smoky, spicy, it all works here. You can also make your own with my Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe.
The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F and also shred easily with a fork. Note: It will hit the internal temperature long before it is done and shreddable.
Absolutely. It reheats really well, making it perfect for meal prep.
Yes, BBQ chicken sandwiches are probably the most popular way to serve it (and for good reason).
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