If you’re on the hunt for a foolproof, hands-off dinner that’s bursting with flavor, this Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Recipe is going to become your new best friend. I absolutely love how tender and juicy this chicken turns out, thanks to the slow cooker doing all the heavy lifting. Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a casual weekend get-together, you’ll find that this recipe is not only delicious but also incredibly easy to customize and serve up a crowd-pleaser every time.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Set It and Forget It: Just toss your ingredients in the Crock Pot and let it work its magic while you handle the rest of your day.
  • Tender, Juicy Chicken: Slow cooking locks in moisture and flavor, making every bite melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
  • Super Versatile: Use it for sandwiches, salads, tacos, or straight off the fork — your call!
  • Family Friendly: My crew goes crazy for this BBQ chicken, and I bet yours will too.
A sandwich with a soft, round, light brown whole wheat bun on top and bottom. Inside, there is a thick layer of shredded, light brown meat with visible texture. Dark brown sauce is spread unevenly over the meat, dripping slightly down the sides. The sandwich sits on a wooden board with a small piece of white paper underneath. The background is a white marbled surface with blurry shapes, including a bowl of yellow fruit. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7 this …

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Recipe is all about simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together beautifully. I always recommend using a BBQ sauce you love—I’ve had great success with Sweet Baby Ray’s for that perfect balance of sweet and tangy.

  • Boneless skinless chicken breast: Choose fresh or thawed chicken breasts for consistent cooking and shredding results.
  • BBQ sauce: A good quality sauce is key—try to avoid watered-down versions for richer flavor.
  • Brown sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness and helps balance the tangy BBQ sauce perfectly.
  • Apple cider vinegar: Brings just the right amount of acidity to brighten up the dish.
  • Olive oil: Helps keep the chicken moist and adds a subtle depth of flavor.
  • Garlic powder: A gentle punch of garlic that infuses the sauce without overpowering.
  • Onion powder: Adds savory warmth and richness.
  • Smoked paprika: This is my secret for a smoky nuance without lighting up the grill.
  • Crushed red pepper: Adjust according to your spice tolerance for just a hint of heat.
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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love mixing things up sometimes with this Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Recipe because it’s so forgiving. Feel free to tweak the sauce or add your favorite spices to make it your own — I promise it’ll still be amazing.

  • Spicy Kick: I sometimes double the crushed red pepper or add a splash of hot sauce when I want a bolder heat that can stand up to bold sides.
  • Smoky Sweet: Adding a teaspoon of liquid smoke amps up that backyard BBQ vibe without firing up the grill.
  • Diet-Friendly: For a lower sugar version, swap regular BBQ sauce with a sugar-free variety, and reduce or omit the brown sugar.
  • Different Cuts: I’ve also tried boneless chicken thighs for extra juiciness — just remember they might cook a bit faster.

How to Make Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Sauce and Chicken

Start by mixing your BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and crushed red pepper right in the crock pot basin. This makes cleanup easier and flavors meld while your chicken cooks.

Step 2: Add Chicken and Cook Low and Slow

Place the chicken breasts on top of the sauce and give them a gentle coat with a spoon. Cover the crock pot and set it to cook on low for 6 to 7 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours. You’ll know it’s done when the chicken is super tender and easily shredded with forks—no fighting the meat here!

Step 3: Shred and Serve

Once cooked, shred the chicken with two forks right in the crock pot—it soaks up the sauce beautifully this way. Give everything a good stir to coat the chicken evenly and get ready to serve mouthwatering BBQ chicken that’s sticky, sweet, and just perfect.

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Pro Tips for Making Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Recipe

  • Choose Evenly Sized Chicken: This ensures everything cooks evenly — I learned this the hard way when some pieces overcooked before others were tender.
  • Don’t Skip the Vinegar: It brightens the sauce and balances the sweetness, giving your BBQ chicken that perfect tang.
  • Shred Right in the Pot: Saves you extra dishes and keeps all those flavorful juices right where they belong.
  • Avoid Overcooking: Check at the minimum time—slow cookers vary, and overcooked chicken can dry out quickly even in a crock pot.

How to Serve Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Recipe

A close-up view of two pulled chicken sandwiches on a wooden board, each sandwich made with a soft, light brown bun. The bottom layer shows shredded chicken coated in a rich, dark brown barbecue sauce, piled thickly and spilling slightly over the sides. The tops of the buns are smooth with a light flour dusting. Next to the sandwiches, there is a small dark brown ceramic bowl filled with ketchup. A bottle cap lays nearby, and the backdrop is a white marbled surface with slightly blurred elements in the distance. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love topping my BBQ chicken with some fresh chopped cilantro or green onions for a pop of color and freshness. A drizzle of extra BBQ sauce or a squeeze of lime can brighten the flavors even more — these little touches make a big difference!

Side Dishes

My go-to sides with this Crock Pot BBQ Chicken are classic coleslaw and baked beans — they pair wonderfully and are always crowd-pleasers. Sometimes I’ll throw together a simple cornbread or a fresh cucumber salad for a cool, crunchy contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For a casual party, I love setting up a BBQ chicken slider bar with small buns, pickles, and a variety of sauces so everyone can customize their own. Another fun idea is to use this chicken as a topping for loaded nachos or even stuffed baked potatoes when you want to mix it up.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Crock Pot BBQ Chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It keeps the sauce tasty, and I usually use leftovers for quick sandwiches or salads. Just make sure to cool the chicken completely before refrigerating to keep it fresh.

Freezing

This recipe freezes beautifully! I portion the shredded chicken into freezer-safe bags, squeeze out extra air, and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat gently.

Reheating

To keep the chicken juicy when reheating, I warm it slowly in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or extra BBQ sauce to keep it from drying out. Alternatively, reheating in the microwave works fine—just cover it and heat in short bursts, stirring occasionally.

FAQs

  1. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts in this Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Recipe?

    Absolutely! Chicken thighs offer more fat and tend to be even more tender and flavorful when slow-cooked. Just keep in mind that thighs might cook a bit faster, so start checking them around the 5-hour mark on low to avoid overcooking.

  2. Do I need to brown the chicken before placing it in the crock pot?

    You don’t have to, which is one of the reasons this recipe is so easy. The slow cooker does a fantastic job of cooking the chicken thoroughly while the sauce infuses it with flavor. However, if you want to add a bit more depth, quickly searing the chicken breasts before slow cooking can elevate the flavor slightly.

  3. Can I make this Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Recipe in advance?

    Yes! This recipe is perfect for making ahead. You can prepare it up to a day in advance and keep it refrigerated until ready to serve. It also freezes well, so it’s a great option for meal prepping or saving for busy days.

  4. How spicy is this recipe? Can I adjust the heat level?

    The default heat level is mild with just a hint of smokiness and a subtle kick from the crushed red pepper. Feel free to adjust by adding more crushed red pepper or your favorite hot sauce to turn up the spice or tone it down by omitting it entirely.

Final Thoughts

This Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it solves so many dinner dilemmas with little effort and loads of flavor. I love sharing it with friends and family because it’s simple enough for weeknights but impressive enough for gatherings. Give it a try—you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it!

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Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Recipe

4.7 from 117 reviews
  • Author: Julia
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 180 minutes
  • Total Time: 190 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe

Description

This Crock Pot BBQ Chicken recipe is an easy and flavorful way to make tender, shredded BBQ chicken right in your slow cooker. With a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors from BBQ sauce, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar, this dish is ideal for parties, potlucks, or a simple family dinner. Just combine the ingredients, cook on low or high, shred, and serve hot.

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 3.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast

Sauce

  • 2 cups BBQ sauce (I use Sweet Baby Ray’s)
  • ¼ cup 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

  1. Prepare the BBQ sauce mixture: In the basin of your slow cooker, combine the BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and crushed red pepper. Stir well to blend all the flavors together.
  2. Add the chicken: Place the boneless skinless chicken breasts into the slow cooker, nestling them into the sauce. Use a spoon to generously cover the chicken with the sauce to ensure it absorbs all the flavors during cooking.
  3. Cook the chicken: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours. The chicken is done when it is tender enough to be easily shredded with forks.
  4. Shred and coat: Remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir well to coat all the pieces evenly with the BBQ sauce.
  5. Serve: Serve the pulled BBQ chicken hot, perfect for sandwiches, tacos, or alongside your favorite sides.

Notes

  • This recipe is also known as Crock Pot BBQ Chicken and is perfect for quick and easy gatherings like parties, potlucks, and picnics.
  • Using a slow cooker allows the chicken to become incredibly tender and absorb the rich BBQ flavors without extra effort.
  • You can adjust the crushed red pepper amount to control the spiciness level according to your preference.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 394 kcal
  • Sugar: 30 g
  • Sodium: 968 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 43 g
  • Cholesterol: 127 mg
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Hi, I’m Julia! A foodie who believes in keeping cooking simple, fun, and full of flavor. From quick weeknight meals to tasty treats, I’m here to share recipes that make life a little easier—and a lot more delicious. Let’s get cooking!

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