A real eye-catcher, shredded Crockpot BBQ Chicken is irresistible and super easy to prepare with 3 ingredients. Stack it on a bun or in a fluffy tortilla, add to a salad or bowl, or stuff a baked sweet potato.
Recipe overview
Why you will love it: This recipe is perfect for parties or picnics where you can watch the big game. It also freezes well.
How long does it take: 4 hours on low or 8 hours on high.
Equipment needed: slow cooker
Servings: feeds a crowd!
This Slow Cooker Barbecue Pulled Chicken is a hit at our house. I put it in the slow cooker in the morning and it’s ready by dinner time. If I don’t bring it to a boil in the morning, it can be boiled on high all afternoon. Either way works fine.
Shredded BBQ chicken is perfect make food in advance, to. This recipe makes a large batch and freezes well, perfect for quick dinners when you’re short on time.
I top these Slow Cooker Barbecue Pulled Chicken Sandwiches with my healthier coleslaw. Grilled meat and coleslaw makes a perfect sandwich in my opinion: soft bun, chewy meat, crispy creamy coleslaw, so delicious! It’s a well-rounded meal: meat, bread and vegetables. Also tastes great with our vinegar coleslaw or potato salad (or dill potato salad!).
About this recipe
This recipe couldn’t be easier. Place chicken in crockpot, top with BBQ sauce and allow to cook. You will also love my super fast shredding method.
Sometimes slow-cooked meat can be a bit watery. I’ll show you how to fix this little problem.
As for the BBQ sauce, it’s okay to choose your favorite brand. Note that many commercial BBQ sauces are high in sugar, particularly in the form of high fructose corn syrup. Read the labels if this is a problem, or make your own. My Homemade BBQ Sauce recipe is delicious and can be adjusted to suit your taste. You can also do it a few days in advance.
Look for the printable recipe card at the end of the post for full directions, measurements, and nutritional info. I would appreciate if you could also leave a rating or a comment!
what you will need
- Skinless Boneless Chicken: Buy a large pack (4 to 5 pounds) of boneless, skinless breasts, thighs, or a combination. I like a combo because dark meat has a little more fat and adds good flavor to the mix. Just make sure it’s boneless and skinless.
- BBQ sauce: Choose your favorite sauce from the bottle or make your own BBQ sauce.
- cornstarch: Some cornstarch is mixed with some water to thicken the sauce after the chicken is cooked. It keeps the sauce from getting too watery.
- pastries: Buy firm rolls so you can stack the meat properly. Slider buns are great for parties because they’re a little smaller and easier to manage. Soft flour tortillas are also a good alternative.
How to make this recipe
It only takes a few minutes for the chicken to cook. I usually lightly spray the inside of my crockpot with non-stick spray to make cleaning easier, but that’s up to you.
Place the chicken in a slow cooker. Spread it out so it’s in a somewhat even layer.
Add the barbecue sauce of your choice to the chicken. Stir gently so the sauce coats the top, bottom, and sides of the chicken.
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. Prick it with a fork to test; it should be crumble tender.
Remove the chicken pieces from the slow cooker. There are two ways to shred chicken. One way is quick and a little exciting. wanna hear it I know you do. Place the chicken in a large bowl. Use your electric hand mixer with the attached beaters to shred the chicken. This is no joke. Try it, you will see. The chicken will be 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 dishtowel while you shred the chicken so you don’t get hit by red-hot pieces of chicken.
The other way to shred chicken is a little more traditional. Use two forks to divide, separate and shred the chicken.
You will notice that the sauce in the crockpot looks a little watery. The juices from the chicken add quite a bit of liquid. Nobody wants a watery sandwich. You can easily fix this problem with some cornstarch.
Turn the slow cooker on high. Mix two tablespoons of cornstarch with water until combined. Slowly pour the cornstarch and water mixture into the sauce in the crockpot, stirring constantly. Continue cooking it for a few minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes translucent.
Stir the shredded chicken into the sauce and keep warm on Low or Warm until it’s time to serve.
frequently asked Questions
The USDA says you should thaw meat before cooking it in a slow cooker. Due to the low temperatures of a crockpot, it can take too long for the meat to reach a safe temperature, which can lead to diseases caused by bacterial growth.
Best practice: Thaw frozen meat in the refrigerator overnight. If it’s still slightly frozen, start it on high for an hour. Try not to remove the lid as a lot of heat escapes when the lid is off.
According to America’s Test Kitchen, cooking boneless, skinless chicken breasts on low is preferable. 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
Because this recipe makes a large serving of chicken, it’s ideal for prepping or prepping. It keeps well in the freezer for 4 to 6 months. Freeze in freezer bags and flatten before freezing for quick thawing.
Storage and reheating tips
Leftover BBQ chicken should be refrigerated immediately in a covered container. It keeps for 3 or 4 days. If you have a lot leftover, spread it out in a large shallow pan to cool faster.
To reheat, simmer on the stovetop until heated through. Individual portions can be heated in the microwave.
remnants of love
As I mentioned above, shredded BBQ chicken isn’t just for buns. Make a chopped grilled chicken salad, grilled chicken pizza, or BBQ chicken bowls. Stuff a baked potato or sweet potato with BBQ chicken and top with a spoonful of coleslaw for a hearty meal. There are all kinds of possibilities!
Slow cooker sandwiches
Here are a few of my favorite recipes:
Did you do this? Leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest!
portions
Prevent your screen from going dark
Crockpot BBQ Chicken is irresistible and a real crowd pleaser! It’s super easy to make with just 3 ingredients.
instructions
-
Spray the inside of the slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray, if desired.
-
Place chicken in bottom of large (6 or 7 quart) slow cooker. Add barbecue sauce and stir to coat the chicken.
-
Cover and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or on low for 6 to 7 hours.
-
Place the chicken on a plate and shred with two forks. Alternatively, place the chicken in a large bowl and shred using a hand mixer.
-
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth. Turn the crockpot high. Slowly stir the cornstarch mixture into the sauce. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 to 2 minutes or until the sauce has thickened slightly and is no longer cloudy.
-
Add the shredded chicken. Stir well to coat. Keep warm until serving.
-
Serve on a toasted bun with coleslaw.
Remarks
- Use a combination of boneless, skinless chicken breasts and thighs or all breasts or all thighs up to 5 pounds if desired.
- Freeze: Quickly cool the BBQ chicken by spreading it out on a shallow pan and refrigerating. Once cool, place in freezer safe bags, flatten and freeze for up to six months.
- Recipe updated on 6/1/2022.
Nutritional Information
Portion: 0.5Cup, Calories: 195kcal, Carbohydrates: fifteenG, Protein: 24G, Fat: 3G, Saturated Fatty Acids: 1G, Polyunsaturated fat: 1G, Monounsaturated fatty acids: 1G, Trans fats: 1G, Cholesterol: 73mg, Sodium: 500mg, Potassium: 503mg, Fiber: 1G, Sugar: 12G, Vitamin A: 114ie, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 18mg, Iron: 1mg
This website provides approximate nutritional information as a convenience and courtesy only. Nutritional data is collected primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, where available, or other online calculators.