Description
This Crockpot BBQ Pulled Chicken is an easy, set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker dinner idea that delivers juicy, flavorful, and tender shredded chicken in a sweet and smoky barbecue sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or feeding a crowd, it’s a family-friendly comfort food classic.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce
- 1/3 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Buns or sandwich rolls, for serving
- Optional toppings: pickles, coleslaw, sliced red onion, extra BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker. If they are thick, slice them in half horizontally for even cooking. Pat dry with paper towels.
- In a mixing bowl (or directly in the slow cooker), whisk together BBQ sauce, chicken broth, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, yellow mustard, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika (if using), salt, and black pepper.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are coated. Use tongs to turn the chicken if needed.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or on HIGH for 2 1/2-3 hours, until the chicken is tender and shreds easily with a fork.
- Transfer the chicken to a plate or cutting board and shred with two forks or meat claws.
- Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to coat with the sauce. If the sauce is thin, cook uncovered on HIGH for 15-20 minutes to thicken.
- Serve the BBQ pulled chicken on buns with your favorite toppings. Drizzle with extra sauce if desired.
Notes
For a juicier version, use chicken thighs. To make it spicy, add hot sauce or chipotle peppers. For a lower-carb or gluten-free meal, use sugar-free BBQ sauce and serve on lettuce wraps or gluten-free buns. Leftovers freeze well and taste even better the next day. If your sauce is too thin, thicken by cooking uncovered or adding a cornstarch slurry.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5-6 hours (LOW) or 2 1/2-3 hours (HIGH)
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/3 pound chicken with sauce (not including buns)
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 4
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 28
Keywords: crockpot, slow cooker, BBQ, pulled chicken, easy dinner, meal prep, family-friendly, comfort food, gluten-free, high protein