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This crockpot pulled chicken is so easy to make – everything just goes into the slow cooker without any special prep. It’s fall-apart tender, juicy and delicious. We put it on rolls with our coconut coleslaw and crisp dill pickle chips.
It was sweet, salty, savory and so satisfying. I invited my family over for crockpot bbq chicken sliders and everyone loved them. My son even asked for refills on the chicken (which is a big deal). l’m pretty sure all of the adults had seconds. Great reviews all around on this one! If the picture above hasn’t convinced you yet, the next one will!
This is a great way to make meat for company or your family when you don’t have time to stand over the stove. You can throw everything in your slow cooker before church and it’s ready when you come home. Such a treat! PS. the coleslaw can be made when you start the chicken – just refrigerate it until ready to serve..
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken:
3 lbs (about 5-6 count) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed of fat
1 1/2 cups BBQ Sauce (Try Homemade BBQ Sauce or Sweet Baby Rays Honey BBQ)
1/2 medium onion, grated (with juice)
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp worchestershire sauce
2 Tbsp brown sugar
How to Make Crockpot BBQ Chicken:
1. Stir together all sauce ingredients in a 5-6 qt slow cooker.
2. Add chicken and turn to coat. Cover and cook on high 2 to 3 hours or on low for 6 to 7 hours. Check on it early since timing can depend on the thickness of your chicken and the size of your slow cooker. It will also cook faster if making a smaller batch. Chicken is done when cooked through to an internal temperature of 167˚F and easy to shred.
3. Remove chicken to a cutting board and shred each breast using two forks. Place shredded chicken back in the crock pot and stir to coat with the yummy sauce
↑↑↑ Wishing I had leftovers…
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 lbs chicken breasts, (boneless, skinless)
- 1 1/2 cups BBQ Sauce, I used Sweet Baby Rays Honey BBQ
- 1/2 medium onion, grated (with juice)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
Instructions
- Stir together all sauce ingredients in a 5-6 qt slow cooker.
- Add chicken and turn to coat. Cover and cook on high for 2 to 3 hours or for 6 to 7 hours on low. Check on the chicken earlier if using smaller chicken pieces, if making a smaller batch, or if you know your slow cooker runs hot. Chicken is done when cooked through to an internal temperature of 165˚F and is easy to shred.
- Remove chicken to a cutting board and shred each breast using two forks. Place shredded chicken back in the crock pot and stir to coat with the yummy sauce.
Nutrition Per Serving
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
Serve in buns with the best coconut coleslaw and dill pickle chips. Yum!!
I need to make this ahead of time because it has to be delivered to an event an hour away. Once it’s there it will be a few more hours before it’s eaten. Can I make this the day before and refrigerate in the slow cooker, and then the next day, plug it in on low and have it be OK?
Hi Janice! Yes, it will reheat well since it’s moist chicken. Just add a splash of water if needed to make up for any moisture loss.
Awesome! Looking forward to sharing it at the cast party!
Going to make this substituting rabbit for the chicken!
I hope you love it, Matt!
Need to make for a big crowd. Do you think I could use the bags of rotisserie chicken pieces from Costco?
Hi Nancy, I haven’t tested this with rotisserie to advise. We also took a look at our reader comments and haven’t found anyone trying it to advise on a time or process. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe.
Adding this on my list as food prep for the week but wondering if I double it, could I freeze some? What would be the best way to store and freeze?
Delicious!
Hi Angelica, I’m so glad you loved it. You can make this recipe ahead and freeze it. Make sure that it has been cooled completely, store the portions in airtight freezer-safe containers or resealable freezer bags. Don’t forget the add label (date) so you won’t forget it.
Absolutely AWESOME!!!! Forgot the buns so it served on sour dough bread! DELICIOUS!!!!!!
This was delicious and easy to make. How many ounces equals one serving? I need to track and I didn’t see anything specific. Thanks
Hi Deanna, the serving size for the whole recipe is 8 (if used in sandwiches) the nutrition facts is per serving. Just divide the whole recipe by 8 to get each of the serving size.
Easy to follow instructions and chicken is fall apart tender. We found it was sweeter than we are used to, so will omit the brown sugar next time.
Can you use a sugar free bbq sauce and brown sugar Splenda?
Hi France! I assume that would be fine.
I use sugar free and it’s perfect. I love this dish..
What kind of onion do you use for this recipe
Yellow or sweet onions work great.
Thank you so much! I’m going to make this today
I love this recipe – so, so tasty! If I were to double it but use the same size slow cooker, do you think it would need longer to cook? I just need more for a larger crowd…
Hi Trina, This recipe doubles well as long as your slow cooker is large enough to fit everything. I’m not sure if increasing it any further would work unless your slow cooker is larger. It will probably require a longer cook time. I would aim for the higher end of the cook times (i.e., 4 hours on high or 7 hours on low) and check for doneness.
Thank you! I doubled this today, and it filled my crockpot to about an inch from the top. Cooked very well at the low setting for about six hours. The sauce was very runny, as I expected with the chicken juices. I just put the sauce into a pot on the stove and simmered until it thickened – this took at least twenty minutes, since I had a lot of sauce 🙂 The flavour was so good, and the amount of sauce was perfect once I cooked off some of the excess moisture! Thanks for the great recipe – will keep making for sure!
I cook often for my boyfriend and me. He’ll eat just about anything, but he specifically said, “You can make this one again,” which might be a first in the 4 years we’ve been together. We both really liked it, and I appreciated how simple it was.
Wow – that’s a huge win! It sounds like you have a new favorite!
If you make your homemade BBQ sauce do you still additionally add the worcheshire sauce and brown sugar?
Hi Peggy! For the right balance, yes, I would.
Can I make a smaller batch but use a heavy stainless steel pot with lid on stove top?
Hello, yes that will work! You can keep the heat low, you would want a gentle simmer, not a boil. Stir occasionally and check for doneness by using a thermometer.
Made this tonight. Was really easy and delicious. Yummy in my tummy
Mine turned out perfect! I only did 4 chicken breast (they were rather large) and cooked it 6-7 hours on low. I found the sauce the perfect consistency. Will make again!
Yummy and simple. I used frozen chicken breast and the sauce consistency was perfect. Not sure why all the hate for this recipe. Would definitely make again!
Can this be made in a Dutch oven and for how many hours? If so do I keep it on stove top or oven?
Hi Christina! Here is what one of my viewers said: “You can make it in any pot with a lid right on the stovetop. I use my Dutch oven and keep it covered on low for 2 or 3 hours. It’s absolutely delicious!”