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    Home » Crockpot BBQ Chicken

    Crockpot BBQ Chicken

    Published: Jan 30, 2021 · Modified: Jul 14, 2021 by Laura · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    This easy Crockpot BBQ Chicken recipe is made with 6 ingredients and only takes a few minutes to prepare. This slow cooker bbq chicken makes a delicious bbq chicken sandwich, salad or pizza! 

    front view of a Crockpot BBQ Chicken sandwich

    Slow cooker BBQ chicken is one of my all-time favorite recipes. I love that it's easy to make and can be used in so many ways - from BBQ chicken sandwiches, to salads to pizza (with this homemade pizza dough of course). 

    This slow cooker barbecue chicken is made with only 6 ingredients and takes 5 minutes to prepare. It's the perfect meal for busy weeknights, or to easily feed a crowd. 

    overhead photo of shredded Crockpot BBQ Chicken in a serving dish

    Crockpot BBQ Chicken: Ingredients & Substitutions

    Let's discuss the ingredients in this slow cooker BBQ chicken recipe, as well as possible substitutions. 

    overhead photo of the ingredients in this crockpot bbq chicken recipe
    • Chicken breasts. I recommend boneless skinless chicken breasts for the best result. To shorten cook time, slice each breast in half lengthwise so it's thinner. 
    • Water. You can use chicken broth, beer, apple juice, or just about any other liquid you think may taste delicious in this crockpot barbecue chicken recipe. I use water because it's easy! 
    • BBQ Sauce. Choose your favorite BBQ sauce - the sky's the limit. 
    • Sea salt. If you use regular table salt, decrease the amount by half. 
    • Minced garlic. fresh garlic or roasted garlic also works well in this pulled bbq chicken recipe. Additionally 1 tsp garlic powder can be used in place of 1 TBS minced garlic. 
    • Red Onion. any onion variety works well - especially sweet onions. 

    How to make Crockpot BBQ Chicken

    This crockpot bbq chicken recipe is so, so easy to make, but as always we'll walk through the process step-by-step and don't forget to watch the video!

    Add ingredients to the crockpot

    One of my favorite things about this slow cooker barbecue chicken is that everything is mixed in the crockpot, which means you use less dishes! Begin by adding water, 1 cup BBQ sauce, sea salt minced garlic and onion to the container of a slow cooker. Then whisk to combine.

    two overhead photos showing How to Make Crockpot BBQ chicken

    Add chicken & cook

    Next, add the chicken breasts and turn them to coat with the BBQ sauce mixture. Cook on high for 3 hours or low for 6 hours, or until the chicken is fork-tender and easily shredded, rotating the chicken breasts once halfway through cook time.

    two overhead photos showing How to Make Crockpot BBQ chicken

    Shred the crockpot bbq chicken

    Once the chicken has finished cooking, shred it with two forks, either in the crockpot or on a cutting board. You can also transfer the chicken breasts to a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and shred by beating on medium speed for 30-60 seconds. 

    Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot and cook for 1 hour on low, or 30 minutes on high. 

    two overhead photos showing How to Make Crockpot BBQ chicken

    Bake the slow cooker BBQ chicken

    This is the step that takes this pulled bbq chicken from good to great (in my opinion). Transfer the chicken and juices to a loaf pan and stir in the additional BBQ sauce. 

    two overhead photos showing How to Make Crockpot BBQ chicken

    Place the bbq chicken in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the top of the chicken is crispy and slightly charred (the top is my favorite part). 

    Note: You don’t have to put the BBQ chicken in the oven to crisp it, I just love the final texture and taste when that step is part of the cooking and never skip it!

    two overhead photos showing How to Make Crockpot BBQ chicken

    Serve

    Remove from oven and serve warm! Here are some serving suggestions: 

    • Make BBQ Chicken sandwiches  - use homemade burger buns, homemade dinner rolls or pretzel rolls to take them to the next level!
    • Use the best homemade pizza dough or whole wheat pizza dough to make a BBQ chicken pizza!
    • Serve on top of a salad - some favorites include this quinoa salad and this Brussel sprouts salad. 
    • Choose your favorite sides like this homemade mac and cheese, the BEST coleslaw, roasted broccoli, or a loaf of no-knead bread!
    overhead view of slow cooker BBQ Chicken in a serving dish

    How to Store Crockpot BBQ Chicken

    Store any leftover pulled bbq chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. 

    To freeze

    Make the slow cooker bbq chicken as written, then let it cool to room temperature after baking. Transfer to an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 2 months. I recommend storing in individual portions - or in the amount you would want to reheat and use in one sitting. 

    FAQs about Crockpot BBQ Chicken

    Can you put BBQ sauce on raw chicken?

    Yes. In this recipe all the ingredients are combined. The heat from cooking in the slow cooker makes it safe to eat.

    Is it better to cook chicken on high or low in crockpot?

    I recommend cooking chicken breasts on low for the most tender texture, but in a pinch I have cooked them on high and they still taste great.

    Can you put frozen chicken in the crockpot?

    It's safe to do but I don't recommend it. When chicken undergoes drastic temperature changes too quickly it becomes rubbery. I recommend thawing frozen chicken breasts slowly in the refrigerator or at room temperature before cooking them in the crockpot.

    front view of a Crockpot BBQ Chicken sandwich

    If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don't forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube - be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

    Crockpot BBQ Chicken Recipe

    Laura
    This easy Crockpot BBQ Chicken recipe is made with 6 ingredients and only takes a few minutes to prepare. This slow cooker bbq chicken makes a delicious bbq chicken sandwich, salad or pizza!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 3 hrs 20 mins
    Total Time 3 hrs 30 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10 Servings
    Calories 186 kcal

    Equipment

    • Slow Cooker
    • measuring cups
    • measuring spoons

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
    • ½ cup water
    • 1 ½ cups barbecue sauce divided
    • 1 tsp sea salt
    • 1 TBS minced garlic
    • 1 cup red onion finely diced
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Add water, 1 cup BBQ sauce, sea salt minced garlic and onion to the container of a slow cooker, whisk to combine.
    • Add the chicken breasts, turn to coat.
    • Cook on high for 3 hours or low for 6 hours, or until the chicken is fork-tender and easily shredded, rotating the chicken breasts once halfway through cook time.
    • Once chicken breasts are finished cooking, shred with two forks, either in the crockpot or on a cutting board. You can also transfer the chicken breasts to a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and shred by beating on medium speed for 30-60 seconds.
    • Return shredded chicken to the crockpot and cook for 1 hour on low, or 30 minutes on high. 10 minutes before the end of cooking, Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
    • Use tongs to remove the chicken from the crockpot and transfer it to a 9x5” loaf pan.
    • Add ½ cup BBQ sauce to the shredded chicken and stir to combine.
    • Place pan in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the top of the chicken is crispy.
    • Serve warm in sandwiches, over salads, etc.

    Video

    Notes

    Note: You don’t have to put the BBQ chicken in the oven to crisp it, I just love the final texture and taste when that step is part of the cooking and never skip it!

    Ingredient Substitutions

    • Chicken breasts. I recommend boneless skinless chicken breasts for the best result. To shorten cook time, slice each breast in half lengthwise so it's thinner. 
    • Water. You can use chicken broth, beer, apple juice, or just about any other liquid you think may taste delicious in this crockpot barbecue chicken recipe. 
    • BBQ Sauce. Choose your favorite BBQ sauce.
    • Sea salt. If using regular table salt, decrease the amount by half. 
    • Minced garlic. fresh garlic or roasted garlic also works well. Additionally 1 tsp garlic powder can be used in place of 1 TBS minced garlic. 
    • Red Onion. any onion variety works well - especially sweet onions. 

    How to Store Crockpot BBQ Chicken

    Store any leftover pulled bbq chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. 

    To freeze

    Make the slow cooker bbq chicken as written, then let it cool to room temperature after baking. Transfer to an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 2 months. I recommend storing in individual portions - or in the amount you would want to reheat and use in one sitting. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.25cupCalories: 186kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 20gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 58mgSodium: 780mgPotassium: 465mgFiber: 1gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 123IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    The photos in this post were taken by Jamie from Dishing Out Health! 

    This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine! 

    « Healthy Breakfast Recipes
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Elena A

      December 02, 2021 at 2:06 am

      Looks tasty! Can this recipe be doubled in the crockpot pot?

      Reply
      • Laura

        December 02, 2021 at 6:37 am

        Yes, as long as you have one large enough to capacitate double the amount of ingredients.

        Reply
    2. Alison

      February 01, 2021 at 6:38 pm

      If I wanted to cook this in the instant pot how long would you suggest I cook it for?

      Reply
      • Laura

        February 02, 2021 at 7:35 am

        Hey Alison - I actually don't have an insta pot and have never used one (gasp)! It takes 3 hours to cook on high and 6 on low in a slow cooker - so maybe there's some kind of pressure cooker conversion for the times? I'm sorry I can't help more!

        Reply
    3. Roland

      February 01, 2021 at 8:06 am

      5 stars
      2/01/21 - Made this yesterday and it was a home run with my family. Used toasted kaiser buns. Be sure not to skip the "put in the oven" step - you won't regret it.

      Reply
    4. Sarah

      January 31, 2021 at 5:52 am

      This sounds really tasty and I am intrigued by the final step of putting it in the oven. This will be on my menu soon!

      Reply

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    About Laura

    I’m Laura, a former chemistry teacher turned homeschooling mom of six beautiful babies! I create simple and delicious recipes that are tested and perfected to make cooking and baking joyful and fun!

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