Crockpot BBQ Chicken Recipe

A real crowd-pleaser, shredded crockpot BBQ chicken is irresistible and super easy to make with 3 ingredients. Pile it on a bun or in a soft tortilla, add it to a salad or bowl, or fill a baked sweet potato.

Recipe Overview

Why you’ll love it: This recipe is perfect for “watching the big game” parties or tailgater picnics. It freezes well, too.

How long it takes: 4 hours on Low, or 8 hours on High.
Equipment you’ll need: slow cooker
Servings: feeds a crowd!

Crockpot BBQ chicken on a bun with coleslaw.

This slow cooker barbecue pulled chicken is a total hit in our house. I put it in the slow cooker in the morning and it’s ready by supper time. If I don’t get it cooking in the morning, it can be cooked all afternoon on High. Either way works fine.

I top these crockpot BBQ chicken sandwiches with my healthier coleslaw. Barbecued meat and coleslaw make a perfect sandwich in my opinion: soft bun, chewy meat, crispy creamy coleslaw, so yummy! It’s a well-rounded meal: meat, bread, and vegetables. It’s also great with our vinegar coleslaw or potato salad (or dill potato salad!).

If you like the idea of easy recipes with few ingredients like this BBQ chicken, take a look at my collection of 5 ingredient dinner recipes. Cooking doesn’t have to be complicated!

P.S. If you’re looking for a faster way to make shredded chicken, be sure to try my Instant Pot shredded chicken with BBQ sauce.

About This Crockpot Chicken Recipe

It’s super easy to make! This BBQ chicken recipe couldn’t be easier to make, with only 3 ingredients. Put the chicken in the crockpot, top it with BBQ sauce, and let ‘er cook. You’ll love my super fast shredding method, too.

Use any BBQ sauce you like. Regarding the barbecue sauce, it’s okay to choose your favorite brand. Be aware that many commercial BBQ sauces contain a lot of sugar, especially in the form of high fructose corn syrup. Read the labels if that’s a concern or make your own. My recipe for homemade BBQ sauce is delicious and can be tailored to fit your taste. You can make it a few days ahead, too.

Shredded crockpot BBQ chicken is a perfect make ahead meal. This recipe makes a big batch and freezes well, ready to go for quick dinners when you’re short on time.

The recipe includes a remedy for chicken that’s too juicy. Sometimes slow cooked meats can be a bit watery. I’ll show you how to remedy that little problem.

What You’ll Need

Boneless Skinless Chicken: Buy a large package (4 to 5 lbs.) of boneless skinless breasts, thighs, or a combination. I like a combination because dark meat has a bit more fat and gives the blend a good flavor. Just make sure it’s boneless and skinless.
BBQ Sauce: Choose your favorite bottled sauce or make your own BBQ sauce.
Cornstarch: A bit of cornstarch is blended with a little water to thicken the sauce after the chicken is cooked. It keeps the sauce from being too watery.
Buns: Buy sturdy buns so you can really pile on the meat. Slider buns are great for parties because they’re a little smaller and easier to handle. Soft flour tortillas are a good alternative, too.

Ingredients needed for recipe, including chicken.

How To Make This Slow Cooker Chicken Recipe

It will only take a few minutes to get the chicken cooking. I usually spray the inside of my crockpot lightly with nonstick spray for easy cleanup but that’s up to you.

Put the chicken in slow cooker. Spread it out so it’s in a somewhat even layer.

Add the barbecue sauce of your choice to the chicken. Stir lightly so the sauce coats the chicken on the top, bottom, and sides.

Uncooked chicken and bbq sauce in a slow cooker.

Cover the crockpot and set it on High or Low, depending on how much time you have. Cook the chicken for 3 to 4 hours on High, 7 to 8 hours on Low. The internal temperature of the thickest part should be at least 165°F. Poke it with a fork to test it; it should be fall-apart tender.

Shred the Chicken: Two Easy Methods

Remove the chicken pieces from the slow cooker. There are two ways to shred chicken. One way is fast and a little thrilling. Do you want to hear it? I know you do.

1) Use a hand mixer. Put the chicken in a large bowl. Use your electric hand mixer with the beaters attached to shred the chicken. I kid you not. Try it, you’ll see. The chicken is perfectly shredded in about 10 seconds. Warning: The chicken is very hot! It’s a good idea to partially cover the bowl with a clean dish towel as you shred the chicken so you don’t get hit by bits of burning hot chicken.

2) Use two forks. The second way to shred chicken is a bit more traditional. Use two forks to split, separate and shred the chicken. It’s a little slower but just as effective.

How To Remedy Sauce that’s Too Juicy

You’ll notice that the sauce in the crockpot looks a little watery. The juices from the chicken add quite a bit of liquid. No one wants a watery drippy sandwich. You can easily remedy this problem with a bit of cornstarch.

Turn the slow cooker on High. Mix two spoonfuls of cornstarch with water until it’s blended. Slowly pour the cornstarch/water mixture into the sauce in the crockpot, stirring constantly. Keep cooking it for a couple of minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes translucent.

Stir the shredded chicken into the sauce and keep it warm on Low or Warm until it’s time to serve it.

FAQs

Can you put frozen chicken in a slow cooker?

According to the USDA, you should thaw meat before cooking it in a slow cooker. Because of the low temperatures of a crockpot, it may take too long for the meat to come to a safe temperature which may result in illness caused by bacteria growth.
Best practice: Thaw frozen meat overnight in the refrigerator. If it’s still slightly frozen, start it on High for an hour. Try not to remove the lid because much of the heat escapes when the lid is off.

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

According to America’s Test Kitchen, it’s preferable to cook boneless skinless chicken breasts on Low. I always check the chicken with an instant read thermometer. It should be at least 165°F. Dark meat (chicken thighs) is more forgiving due to the higher fat content.

Make-Ahead Idea

Freezer: Since this recipe makes a big batch of chicken, it’s ideal for food prepping or making ahead. It keeps well in the freezer for 4 to 6 months. Freeze it in freezer bags and flatten it before freezing for quick thawing.

Storage & Reheating Tips

Refrigerate: Leftover BBQ chicken should be refrigerated promptly in a covered container. It will keep for 3 or 4 days. If you have a lot left over, spread it out in a large shallow pan to cool it off more quickly.

Reheat: Simmer shredded chicken on the stove until heated through. Add more sauce if desired. Single portions can be microwaved.

Leftover Love

As I mentioned above, shredded BBQ chicken isn’t just for buns. Make a BBQ chicken chopped salad, a BBQ chicken pizza, or BBQ chicken bowls. Fill a baked potato or sweet potato with BBQ chicken and top it with a spoonful of coleslaw for a hearty meal. BBQ chicken nachos are another exciting possibility.

Interested in a weekly meal plan (it’s free!) that includes this BBQ chicken? Take a look at my Meal Plan #11. You’ll find a wholesome recipe for each weekday plus a categorized grocery list. Let me do the planning for you this week!

Slow cooker sandwiches

Here are a few of my favorite recipes:

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with cherry BBQ sauce
Mango Bourbon Pulled Pork
Slow Cooker Spicy Buffalo Chicken
Slow Cooker Cuban Pork (Mojo Pork) make your own Cubano sandwiches
Slow Cooker Pork Tacos
Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken for Tacos (so easy and great for a crowd)
Healthy Taco Meat (make it in a skillet, and keep it warm in a slow cooker)

Recipe