Crockpot BBQ Pulled Chicken
This Crockpot BBQ Shredded Chicken is the kind of easy dinner that never lets you down. The chicken turns incredibly tender as it slow cooks, soaking up every bit of that sweet and smoky barbecue flavor. Serve it on buns, tuck it into tacos, or pile it over mashed potatoes. It is simple, reliable, and always a hit.
Try my crockpot Mississippi chicken and crockpot chicken fajitas next!
With just a few basic ingredients and almost no effort, this slow cooker BBQ chicken becomes a go to meal for busy days, weekend gatherings, and easy lunches. It is flavorful, versatile, and perfect for feeding a hungry crowd without any stress.
Ingredients You’ll Need
4 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 onion, sliced thick
3 garlic cloves, minced
18 oz bottle BBQ sauce
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Step by Step Instructions
STEP ONE – Place the chicken breasts into the crockpot and top with the sliced onions and garlic.
STEP TWO – Top with BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, paprika, and cayenne.
STEP THREE – Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until chicken is cooked and tender.
STEP FOUR – Remove cooked chicken and shred with two forks. Return shredded chicken to crockpot and stir into sauce.
STEP FIVE – Serve over mashed potatoes, white rice, or in hamburger buns.
Crockpot BBQ Pulled Chicken
- Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This Crockpot BBQ Shredded Chicken is the kind of easy dinner that never lets you down. The chicken turns incredibly tender as it slow cooks, soaking up every bit of that sweet and smoky barbecue flavor. Serve it on buns, tuck it into tacos, or pile it over mashed potatoes. It is simple, reliable, and always a hit.
Ingredients
4 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 onion, sliced thick
3 garlic cloves, minced
18 oz bottle BBQ sauce
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts into the crockpot and top with the sliced onions and garlic.
- Top with BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, paprika, and cayenne.
- Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until chicken is cooked and tender.
- Remove cooked chicken and shred with two forks. Return shredded chicken to crockpot and stir into sauce.
- Serve over mashed potatoes, white rice, or in hamburger buns.
Notes
Ingredient Substitutions:
You can use white wine vinegar or pineapple juice in place of apple cider vinegar.
You can use this recipe using boneless skinless chicken thighs or other meat/poultry like turkey tenderloin or pork loin. If using bone-in, you may need to add another hour to the cooking time.
Storage & Reheating Instructions:
Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container for 3 or 4 days.
Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat until heated through.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
