There is always something magical about entering your kitchen and being welcomed by the mouthwatering smell of the delicious slow cooker BBQ chicken. With a few simple ingredients and minimal preparation, you can achieve an irresistible crockpot BBQ chicken that is a true set-it-and-forget-it meal! This slow cooker BBQ chicken is perfect for a weeknight dinner or an easy meal for game day. This recipe definitely delivers, from minimal effort to big and addictive tasty flavors!

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Crockpot dinners are always a hit in our house whether we make Crockpot Pulled Pork or Crockpot Shredded Mexican Chicken. These are easy, feed a crowd or make tasty leftovers.

Close-up shot crockpot pulled BBQ Chicken.

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Why You'll Love This Crockpot BBQ Shredded Chicken Recipe!

Crockpot BBQ Chicken is the recipe that will make you question why you ever cooked BBQ chicken in a different way. The crockpot keeps the chicken juicy and tender, soaked up with smoky, tangy sauce.

Almost no effort cooking - All you have to do is season the chicken well, set the slow cooker, and let the slow cooker do all the magic!
Crowd pleaser and versatile - Crowd's favorite, can be served as sandwiches and sliders. For a real twist, try tacos or even gameday nachos!
Game day ready - Prepare and make a big batch of BBQ pulled chicken to have ready for the big game.
Loved ones approved- Even picky eaters will love this smoky and sweet flavor.

If you are looking for the ultimate shredded chicken crockpot BBQ recipe this recipe will not disappoint!

Crockpot BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich served in a plate with pickles and a cob of corn.

Equipment Needed

Slow cooker or Crockpot
Cutting board
Knife
Measuring spoons
Tongs or mixing spoons

Key Ingredients

Skinless and boneless chicken breast - cooks quickly and is easy to shred with no bones to worry with.

Salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder - these are the seasonings that will enhance the chicken's flavor.

BBQ sauce - You can make your own or use your favorite brand. We are big fans of Sweet Baby Ray's but find a sauce you like. A more runny sauce may be too watery so you'll have to experiment. Make sure to have extra for serving!

Ingredients for Crockpot BBQ Chicken spices, BBQ Sauce, Chicken Breasts

Step-By-Step Instructions

Prepare the chicken by trimming any fat from the chicken breasts. Mix the seasonings (pepper, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder) altogether in a small mixing bowl and rub the seasoning mixture evenly over the chicken.

Collage of photos: Left: Four pieces of chicken breasts with spices resting on a wooden board. Right: raw chicken breasts in a crockpot.

Place the seasoned chicken in your slow cooker and pour 1 cup of BBQ sauce over the top of the chicken.

Set your slow cooker to low for 4 to 6 hours or high for 2 hours or until the chicken reaches 165°F.

Collage of photos: Left: Raw chicken in crockpot with BBQ Sauce. Right: Raw Chicken in crockpot with the sauce.

Remove the chicken from the crockpot and shred it over the cutting board and once shredded, return it to the crockpot.

Add extra BBQ sauce if you'd like, stir, and keep it on low for another 30 minutes so the sauce thickens and the shredded chicken soaks up the flavors.

Collage of photos: Left: Shredded chicken in a wooden board with forks. Right: Shredded chicken in a crockpot.

Serving Recommendations

Paired with Hawaiian rolls or soft sandwich buns to make a perfect BBQ pulled chicken sliders.
For a hearty twist, served over baked potatoes.
To make an irresistible crockpot BBQ pulled chicken, add it to nachos with cheese on top and enjoy the savory, cheesy, smoky flavors.
Make a rice bowl by spooning it over a steamed rice!
For a lighter meal option, pair it with coleslaw. We love this Pineapple Slaw for summer BBQ's!

BBQ Chicken Pulled Pork sandwich on a plate with corn cob.

Make Ahead

This slow cooker BBQ pulled chicken is an excellent make-ahead dish. You can prep it a day or two in advance. Just cook and shred as instructed, let the chicken cool completely and store in an airtight container in the fridge. When ready to serve, reheat in a slow cooker on low or on the stove, add in extra BBQ sauce if needed to ensure it's still juicy.

Feeding a crowd or stocking the freezer? You can easily double this recipe—just make sure your slow cooker isn’t too full so the heat can circulate. On low, add about 30–60 minutes; on high, add about 20–30 minutes. Always check that the chicken reaches 165°F before shredding. Leftovers freeze beautifully for quick dinners later!

Crockpot BBQ Chicken Pulled Sandwich served on a plate with pickles and corn on cob.

Storage

Leftovers or extra servings can be refrigerated for 4 days as long as it is stored in an airtight container. You can also freeze by portioning into freezer-safe bags or airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Close-up shot crockpot BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich held in hand.

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