Life gets busy, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for bland, boring meals. This Crockpot BBQ Chicken recipe uses chicken breast and barbecue sauce for tender, flavorful pulled chicken. Make this slow cooker recipe on busy days!
This easy crockpot recipe is the solution for those days when you want a hearty, satisfying dinner but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.
Just toss everything in the slow cooker, go about your day, and come back to tender, juicy, flavorful chicken. It only requires 5 minutes of prep and the crock pot does the rest of the work.
Whether you’re feeding the family, prepping for a party, or craving a little comfort food, this recipe is the perfect go-to for an easy meal. Trust me, you’ll find yourself making it on repeat!
Why Make Crockpot BBQ Chicken
- Ease – BBQ Chicken is so easy to make. (Kids can make it!)
- Time – 5 minutes to prep, then LOW for 4-6 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours.
- Flavor – BBQ Chicken is SO flavorful!
- Meal Prep – Make enough for several meals or to feed a crowd.
- My Favorite Uses – BBQ Chicken Sandwiches, BBQ Chicken Quesadillas, or serve it with Southern cornbread and collard greens.
Kari’s Notes
Table of Contents
- Why Make Crockpot BBQ Chicken
- Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Ingredients
- How to Make Crockpot BBQ Chicken
- Shredded BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
- Substitutions
- Recipe Tips
- Crockpot BBQ Chicken (Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken) Recipe
- What to Serve with Barbecue Chicken
- Switch Up the Sauce
- Storage
- 🙋♀️ Frequently Asked Questions
- Make BBQ Chicken in an Instant Pot
- More Crockpot Recipes
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Ingredients
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast – You can also use boneless chicken thighs for a juicier, richer flavor!
- 1 Bottle of Barbecue Sauce – Use your favorite BBQ sauce; whether it’s tangy, smoky, or sweet, it’s all about what you love! I like my homemade barbecue sauce or Sweet Baby Ray’s.
- Sliced Onion – This is optional, but I like the flavor that it adds – especially when making pulled chicken sandwiches.
- Salt and Pepper – You can also use Livia’s Salt, Pepper, and Garlic Seasoning.
This is just a quick overview of the ingredients that you’ll need for the best Crockpot BBQ Chicken recipe. As always, specific measurements and complete cooking instructions are included in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
You’ll also need a 5 or 6 quart slow cooker.
How to Make Crockpot BBQ Chicken
- Slice the Onion – If you’re using an onion, slice it up and place it in the bottom of a slow cooker. It will create a base for the chicken and infuse it with extra flavor as it cooks. (Picture 1)
- Add the Chicken – Place the uncooked chicken breasts (or thighs) right on top of the onions. Season the chicken with a pinch of salt and pepper, then flip and season the other side. (Picture 2)
- Mix Up and Pour on the BBQ Sauce – Pour the BBQ sauce over the chicken, making sure it’s nice and covered, then flip and repeat. You want the chicken to be fully covered in sauce. (If you’re using the “extra sauce” be sure to save a little for serving.) (Pictures 3-5)
- Set It and Forget It – Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. When the chicken is done, it should be fall-apart tender and swimming in a flavorful sauce.
- Shred the Chicken – Shred the chicken with two forks – right in the slow cooker – and stir the chicken back into the sauce. (If it doesn’t shred easily, it should cook for a little longer.)
For even more flavor, add a little more BBQ sauce, cover the slow cooker, and cook for another 15 minutes.
Serve and enjoy! This chicken is great on a sandwich or served over buttermilk mashed potatoes or white rice.
Shredded BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
For a party, I like to set up a sandwich bar and let people serve themselves to make their own plate.
I set out brioche buns, mayonnaise or an aioli, homemade coleslaw, homemade pickles (or you can buy some), french fries or chips, and extra barbecue sauce.
If I’m cooking for a party, I will also make a side of Southern collard greens, cornbread, and potato salad with pickles.
Substitutions
- Chicken Thighs – If you prefer thighs for extra juiciness and flavor, they’re an easy swap for breasts in this recipe. Cook them the same way!
- BBQ Sauce – Choose a BBQ sauce that fits your tastes – whether you like it sweet, tangy, or spicy. You can even make homemade BBQ sauce!
- Onion-Free – Not a fan of onions? Simply leave them out.
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Recipe Tips
- Spice Things Up – If you want to add a little extra flavor, try mixing in a tablespoon of mustard, a spoonful of Cajun Seasoning, or a dash of hot sauce into the BBQ sauce before pouring it over the chicken.
- Shredding the Chicken – Once the chicken is done, it should be so tender that you can shred it easily with two forks. The internal temperature should also be 165°F.
Have You Tried This Recipe?
Please rate it and leave a comment below. I would love to hear what you think!
Crockpot BBQ Chicken (Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken)
Ingredients
- 1 large onion sliced
- 1 ½ – 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast
- salt
- black pepper
- 1 18 ounce bottle of barbecue sauce about 2-2 ½ cups, I like Sweet Baby Rays
Instructions
- If you haven't done so, slice the onion and place it in the bottom of the slow cooker.1 large onion
- Place the uncooked chicken on top of the onions and season with salt and pepper, then flip and season the other side.1 ½ – 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, salt, black pepper
- Pour barbecue sauce over the chicken (about 1 ½ cups) and flip to fully coat the chicken. Be sure to save some sauce for later. (You don't have to be super precise with the measurements.)1 18 ounce bottle of barbecue sauce
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours. The chicken should fall apart easily when shredded.
- Shred the chicken with two forks – right in the slow cooker – and stir the chicken back into the sauce. (If it doesn't shred easily, it should cook for a little longer.)
- For even more flavor, add a little more BBQ sauce, cover the slow cooker, and cook for another 15 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 or 4 days. It’s perfect for lunch the next day or for meal prepping for the week. To Freeze – Let the chicken cool completely, then freeze in the sauce for up to 3 months. Reheating – Thaw the chicken in the refrigerator and reheat it in the microwave.Special Equipment Needeed
Nutrition
Nutrition information is approximate and is automatically calculated, so should only be used as a guide.
What to Serve with Barbecue Chicken
This BBQ pulled chicken is versatile and can be paired with so many delicious sides or used in various meals. Whether you’re making a quick dinner or serving a crowd, here are some ideas to make your meal complete:
- Chicken Sandwiches or Tacos – Serve the shredded chicken on toasted buns or in soft tortillas for a fun and easy dinner. You can even use leftover BBQ chicken to make quesadillas.
- Coleslaw – The creamy crunch of coleslaw pairs perfectly with the tender, flavorful barbecue chicken.
- Pickles – Homemade pickles are the perfect topping for a sandwich!
- Corn on the Cob – Sweet, buttery corn on the cob is a classic BBQ side. We love fried corn on the cob and steamed Instant Pot corn on the cob.
- French Fries – Baked french fries are the perfect side for a BBQ chicken sandwich. We love sweet potato fries as well. (You can also cook potato wedges in your air fryer to make dinner quick and easy!)
Switch Up the Sauce
This recipe is meant to be one of those recipes that you can make when you are so busy that you want to just dump things in the crockpot and go on with your day… it honestly, does not need anything else added to it.
BUT… if you want to spice it up here’s a variation to make it super tasty.
Mix your bottle of Sweet Baby Rays with this:
- 3 tablespoons – ¼ cup dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Remember… don’t use all of the sauce – save some for serving!
Storage
Refrigerate Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 or 4 days. It’s perfect for lunch the next day or for meal prepping for the week.
Freeze Leftovers
Let the chicken cool completely, then freeze in the sauce in Souper Cubes or a similar freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy an easy dinner, thaw the chicken in the refrigerator and reheat it in the microwave.
🙋♀️ Frequently Asked Questions
I am going to say… do so at your own risk. The USDA says there’s potential for bacterial growth – that will be killed when it cooks – but, the bacteria can linger and you might get sick. BUT, people do it ALL the time and don’t get sick. So, if you do – cook the chicken for a bit longer and make sure it reaches 165°F.
Of course! Just make sure your crockpot is large enough to fit the extra chicken. You might need to add a little more cooking time – about 1 hour extra on low or 30 minutes on high, depending on how much chicken you’re using.
Make BBQ Chicken in an Instant Pot
If you’re short on time, you can also make this recipe in an Instant Pot:
- Prep the Ingredients –
- Place the sliced onion in the bottom of the Instant Pot.
- Add about ½ cup of chicken broth. (The chicken will release a lot of juice.)
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then arrange it on top of the onions.
- Pour the barbecue sauce over the chicken.
- Cook the Chicken –
- Close the Instant Pot lid and ensure the vent is set to “Sealing.”
- Select the Pressure Cook or Manual setting and set the timer to 15 minutes.
- Natural Release –
- Once the cooking time is up, allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes, then carefully switch the vent to “Venting” to release any remaining pressure.
- Shred and Serve –
- Remove the chicken from the Instant Pot and shred it with two forks (or shred it directly in the pot for fewer dishes).
- Stir the shredded chicken back into the sauce.
Quick Tip: If you want to thicken the BBQ sauce, turn on the Sauté function after shredding the chicken. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until it reaches your desired consistency and return the chicken to the sauce.
The Instant Pot version gets dinner on the table in a fraction of the time—perfect for busy weeknights!
More Crockpot Recipes
If you love the ease of a slow cooker recipe, check out some of my other recipes:
- Crockpot Country Style Ribs – Another crowd-pleaser, perfect for a lazy Sunday dinner.
- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork – If you’re a fan of BBQ, you’ll love this easy pulled pork recipe!
- Slow Cooker Turkey Breast – A great way to get a juicy turkey prepped for a smaller group.
