Crockpot BBQ Chicken

Looking for an easy shredded chicken recipe or BBQ pulled chicken (they are the same things, really)? Crockpot BBQ Chicken is the easy slow cooker chicken recipe you are looking for! 

Close up of BBQ Chicken Sandwich


 

Crockpot BBQ Chicken take just minutes to get into the slow cooker. Hours later you have flavorful, fork tender chicken perfect for sandwiches, salads or even quesadillas! 

What makes this the BEST Crockpot BBQ chicken recipe? Layering flavor. We cook the chicken in a makeshift BBQ sauce to infuse it with flavor and moisture, but then slather it in our favorite saucy concoction at the end. 

BBQ Chicken in Crockpot

Notice how I specially say BEST crockpot BBQ chicken (or slow cooker if you are being PC) and not just best BBQ chicken? This is simply because you aren’t going to make the best BBQ chicken ever in the slow cooker. 

By definition, it is barbecued or grilled. Grill enthusiasts are gasping at my declaration of the best BBQ chicken recipe! BBQed chicken on the grill is indeed, better. I agree. 

BBQ Chicken Seasoning

But you know what? Sometimes that isn’t feasible. Sometimes crockpot chicken recipes are just easier. This slow cooker BBQ chicken recipe is perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, bringing to a baby shower or bridal shower even plopping on the table for the big game. 

Chicken thighs are my preference for slow cooker chicken recipes. They have more flavor and are so much more tender than boneless skinless chicken breast and honestly just better for BBQ chicken recipes. 

Pulled chicken in tongs

Yes, they have more fat and you can take your time trimming this off, but honestly, much of it will cook off and the liquids used to cook the chicken will be drained off before you actually plate it, so I don’t even bother. 

After choosing the cut of chicken you use, making crockpot BBQ chicken is easy! Simply make the easy BBQ sauce, cook on high for 3-4 hours, shred the chicken, toss with your favorite BBQ sauce and your ready to serve! It is perfect for parties or a weeknight meal. 

Overhead of Crockpot BBQ Chicken

If you do make Crockpot BBQ Chicken for a party, gathering or potluck, let people make their own BBQ chicken platters, with or without a bun, and set up some condiments for them to give it a unique spin. It can be served on a sandwich, but also in grilled avocado, on a salad, in place of pulled pork on my pulled pork hash or even in quesadillas like my BBQ chicken quesadilla.

Coleslaw is always a favorite. My Greek Yogurt Coleslaw always gets rave reviews, but so does Vinegar Coleslaw. Pickles, like Honey Habanero Pickles, are a safe bet as well.

BBQ Chicken Sandwich with coleslaw on a Bun

The makeshift BBQ sauce is not going to be your main BBQ sauce. It is simply something wet to keep your chicken nice and moist and allowing it to be the fork-tender chicken of your dreams. 

You can use a bottled BBQ sauce, but I also love making homemade barbecue sauce. It freezes well and always has that special umph missing from a bottle. If you do use bottled, Sweet Baby Ray’s is always my pick! 

Close up of pulled chicken

Here are my favorite homemade barbeque sauce recipes: 

Other variations you can throw on this pulled chicken recipe are adding 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes if you like it hot, hot, HOT!

Add jalapenos, fresh or pickled, fresh minced garlic or even hot sauce. If you like your BBQ chicken sweeter, you can add additional molasses or brown sugar to counteract the heat. 

You can also make BBQ Pulled Chicken in your Instant Pot

Tools for making Crockpot BBQ Chicken:

Slotted Metal Spatula– Your slow cooker BBQ chicken will be so tender, you won’t need tongs or a fork to get it out. Your best bet it with a slotted metal spatula. 

Slow Cooker– obviously you’ll need a slow cooker to make crockpot BBQ chicken, right? A 6 quart will do the trick! 

Crockpot BBQ Chicken for Pinterest

Check out my favorite side dishes to serve with barbeque chicken: 

A pile of raw beans

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Cheesy Loaded Tater Tots are an easy side dish recipe or appetizer. Loaded tater tots are the best since they are loaded with cheese and bacon! 
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Questions you might have about how to make Crockpot BBQ Chicken: 

Can I use chicken breasts for BBQ chicken? You surely can! I prefer to use chicken thighs for the reasons above, but you can use breasts if you prefer. 

Can you freeze crockpot BBQ Chicken? Yep! Place your shredded BBQ chicken in an airtight container or plastic bag, removing any excess air. Keep frozen for up to 3-4 months. 

Is crockpot BBQ chicken keto? Nope- not a chance! The base recipe uses sugar and ketchup. If you’d like, you can use a keto approved BBQ Sauce instead, but then you don’t really need this recipe either, huh? 

Can I make this BBQ chicken recipe ahead of time? You sure can! Reserve some of the liquid and reheat it in the crock pot. The reserved liquid will help it stay moist. Using chicken thighs versus chicken breasts will also help prevent drying. 

Overhead of Crockpot BBQ Chicken

Crockpot BBQ Chicken

4.38 from 8 votes
Crockpot BBQ Chicken take just minutes to get into the slow cooker. Hours later you have flavorful, fork tender chicken perfect for sandwiches, salads or even quesadillas! 
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 minutes
Total Time: 14 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place chicken thigh fillets and sliced sweet onion in your slow cooker. Toss with ketchup, apple cider vinegar, worcestershire sauce and water. 
  • In a small bowl, whisk together light brown sugar, paprika, cumin, Kosher salt, ground black pepper and garlic powder. 
  • Pour over chicken and onions, tossing to coat.
  • Set for 3-4 hours on high or 7 hours on low.
  • Using a slotted spoon, remove chicken to a cutting board or plate. Using two forks, shred chicken.
  • Reserve 1/2 cup of cooking liquid, discarding the rest. Return to the crockpot and toss with remaining liquid until ready to serve. This will keep it moist.
  • Serve with your favorite BBQ Sauce.
  • If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was!

Nutrition

Calories: 412 kcal, Carbohydrates: 38 g, Protein: 19 g, Fat: 19 g, Saturated Fat: 5 g, Cholesterol: 111 mg, Sodium: 1787 mg, Potassium: 499 mg, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 31 g, Vitamin A: 535 IU, Vitamin C: 2 mg, Calcium: 45 mg, Iron: 1.8 mg
Author: Chef Jessica Anne
Calories: 412
Course: Main Course, Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: crockpot BBQ chicken, shredded bbq chicken, slow cooker bbq chicken
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Chef Jessica Anne Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and chef behind Savory Experiments. You might see her on the Emmy- nominated TV show Plate It! or on bookshelves as a cookbook author. Jessica is a Le Cordon Bleu certified recipe developer and regularly contributed to Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal, Mashed and more!

Read More About Jessica

4.38 from 8 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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Questions and Reviews

  1. Team Chicken Thigh!!! They are so much tastier, I agree. I love pulled meat or poultry sandwiches, this one looks fantastic. Your pictures are gorgeous too!

  2. 5 stars
    So perfect! A lot of people put away the slow cooker when the weather starts warming up, but BBQ is a perfect summer meal you can make without turning on the oven.

  3. 5 stars
    This looks like a great recipe! I can’t wait to try this lovely version of Crockpot BBQ, looks easy and delish!

  4. 5 stars
    This looks delicious! And so, SO simple! I’m definitely with you on the chicken thighs, so much more flavour and the perfect texture for pulling!

  5. 5 stars
    I’ve been loving crockpot recipes lately! and I have so many friends that recently had babies, this is perfect to bring to them!