Today I’m sharing my favourite Crockpot BBQ Chicken Recipe ALWAYS! This lightly shredded chicken is easy to make and has a savory secret ingredient that makes it stand out! Perfect for a weeknight dinner, party, or game day!
Be sure to try my homemade BBQ sauce for this recipe too!
Crockpot BBQ Chicken is an easy dinner idea!
You know I’m an easy dinner guy. Just do it Slow cooker recipe and we all improved our dinners. AND this Shredded Chicken Crockpot recipe is just as perfect in the cooler months as it is poolside in the summer. Long story short, this is a year-round recipe.
Also, I use a secret ingredient in my pulled chicken that really makes it special!
So what’s the secret ingredient in this shredded rotisserie chicken?
Ok, this might seem a little strange, but I swear it’s SO delicious! I add Italian salad dressing to my BBQ sauce AND a packet of dry Italian salad dressing mix, such as Good Seasons.
The extra flavor that Italian dressing adds doesn’t make it “Italian,” it just gives it an amazing combination of flavors that you never thought would go together… but they do!
As I said, in addition to using ready-made Italian salad dressing, I also add a packet of Good Seasons to really boost the flavor and use it as a shortcut for seasoning.
How to cook rotisserie chicken in your slow cooker
It literally takes 5 minutes to prepare. And since it’s a crockpot recipe, you’re ready to go! It’s a real dump-and-go recipe… perfect for busy weekdays or for eating a large crowd!
Place your chicken breasts in the crockpot. Mix together the BBQ sauce, Italian dressing, Italian dressing dry mix, some Worcestershire and some garlic. Pour that over it and let it cook!
When done, it will be tender enough to shred with two forks.
Side note: I researched this Difference between pulled chicken and shredded chicken and couldn’t find a real answer! I guess pulled is generally used like “pulled pork” where you pull it on the bone. But in this case, we’re not using bone-in chicken, so… I’m referring to both ways!
What kind of BBQ sauce do you recommend for BBQ Chicken?
Surely the quality of the barbecue sauce you use can make or break this recipe. And let’s face it, some are better than others! I use Sweet Baby Ray BBQ Sauce the most. It’s easy to find and a great packaged sauce. Of course, my homemade BBQ sauce goes great with this too, if you want to take it a step further! But here are some other brands that I really like:
- Trader Joe’s Kansas City BBQ Sauce
- Stubbs Original BBQ Sauce
- Dave’s famous BBQ sauce
- Dinosaur BBQ Sauce
- Jack Daniel’s Original BBQ Sauce
- KC Masterpiece
Do you cook this on low or high?
Either! As with most slow cooker recipes, you have a choice of high or low setting. This recipe cooks on high in about 3-4 hours or on low for 6-7 hours. Of course, all slow cookers heat up a little differently, but the range of times given in the recipe should be pretty accurate.
Can I use frozen chicken breasts in the crock pot?
I know a lot of people do this and say it works well, but I’ve never tried it with this recipe. As long as the chicken is cooking at 165°F you should be fine, and of course this recipe will cook the chicken well above that temperature because it’s tender and shredable.
I would imagine that if using frozen breasts you might need to increase the cooking time a bit!
Would boneless chicken thighs work?
Yes, of couse! They add fat to the shredded chicken, but it will work!
What Else Can You Make With Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken?
This recipe goes great on buns as BBQ chicken sandwiches. I LOVE it with some coleslaw for a crunch! BUT don’t let that be the only option! Here are a few more ideas for enjoying this Crockpot BBQ Chicken!
- Filled with a baked potato or sweet potato.
- In a tortilla as a taco with some shredded cabbage and grated smoked Gouda!
- BBQ Chicken Nachos!
- In a BBQ chicken salad.
- On its own!
PRO TIP:
Easily shred your chicken by placing it in the bowl of your stand mixer with the attachment for about 30 seconds on low speed. Works great!
Crockpot BBQ Chicken Sandwiches are the perfect party food!
As I said above, this is a great weeknight dinner, especially when the family has a busy schedule and everyone needs to get dinner on the go. BUT this is a great dish for any type of party, game day or get together.
Can you double this recipe to feed a crowd?
YES! This recipe can easily be doubled. Note, however, that you will need to add some cooking time and that you should rearrange the chicken at least once during cooking to ensure all the chickens are evenly cooked when stacked!
Storage/Freezing Instructions:
This recipe makes a large portion. So if you have leftovers, store them airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat the leftover rotisserie chicken on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Freezing: This freezes very well. Just store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months!
How to serve:
- Topped with coleslaw! Use your favorite coleslaw recipe or pick up a container from the deli counter.
- Serve with Frito Corn Salad
- Cornbread as a side dish with BBQ chicken is perfect!
- BBQ tastes great with corn on the cob. Save some time and make my instant corn on the cob!
Recipe FAQs:
Cooking chicken in a crockpot slow cooker is easy. Simply place the boneless chicken breasts in the slow cooker, season with salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste, cover with BBQ sauce and cook on high for 3-4 hours until chicken is tender.
Yes, slow cooker inserts are BPA-free, FDA approved, and safe to cook up to 400°F. They make clean up super easy.
Yes, slow cookers are designed to safely cook raw meat. Make sure you set the timer and heat according to the type of meat.
Cooking chicken in the slow cooker can cause it to become extremely tender. Overcooking chicken in the casserole can eventually dry it out once all the moisture is gone. However, that would take quite a long time.
The sugar in BBQ sauce can burn in the slow cooker if left in the slow cooker too long or the heat is too high. If you notice the BBQ sauce burning, stir the contents of the slow cooker once or twice during cooking.
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Description
That’s great Easy Crockpot Grilled Chicken Recipe is a great easy weeknight dinner or perfect for a party!
- 3 Pound boneless chicken breasts, about 6 breasts
- 1 1/2 cups barbecue sauce
- 1 cup Italian salad dressing
- 1 (0.7 ounces) dry Italian dressing mix, like Good Seasons
- 2 teaspoons Worcester sauce
- 2 Garlic cloves, chopped
- Place all of the chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, Italian dressing, dry Italian dressing mix, Worcestershire and garlic. Pour this over the chicken.
- Cook 3-4 hours on high, or 6-7 hours on low, until chicken pulls apart easily.
- Shred the chicken in the slow cooker, or remove the chicken breasts, shred them separately, and return them to the slow cooker. Mix with the sauce.
- Serve warm
Remarks
Store airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days
Nourishment
- Serving size:
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 795.3 mg
- Fat: 10.9g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Protein: 38.9g
- Cholesterol: 124.1 mg
Keywords: Cookies and Cups, Chicken, Grilled Chicken, Slow Cooker Chicken, Crock Pot Chicken, Crock Pot BBQ Chicken, Shredded Chicken
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