Delicious tangy Crockpot BBQ Chicken is perfect for making a sandwich that's full of flavor.
Let your slow cooker do all the work and you'll have a delicious easy meal ready to eat.
Shredded BBQ Chicken
Making this Crockpot BBQ Chicken is as easy as it gets! Made with ingredients you probably already have on hand, this is perfect when you need to throw something together without much hands-on work.
You can use a store-bought BBQ sauce or if you have a bit more time, make up your own homemade BBQ sauce. Either way, this shredded chicken is delicious!
Another easy and delicious crockpot recipe is this Crockpot BBQ Pork!
Key ingredients
Ingredients
This section reviews the best ingredients and substitutions for this recipe. For an exact list of ingredients and quantities, check the recipe card below.
- Chicken - I used boneless skinless chicken breasts. You could also use boneless skinless thighs.
- BBQ Sauce - Use your favorite BBQ sauce
- Seasoning - Garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika really amp up a store-bought BBQ sauce
- Flavor Add-ins - Honey, Worcestershire sauce, and apple cider really help make the BBQ sauce have a perfect balance of flavors
Step by step directions
How to make it
In this section, I share step-by-step photos, cooking methods, techniques, and a general overview. For detailed instructions, temperatures, and timing, check the printable recipe card below.
- Mix together BBQ sauce along with seasoning, honey, and vinegar
- Pour a small amount of BBQ on the bottom of the crockpot
- Season chicken with salt and place in the crockpot
- Add the remaining BBQ sauce over the top of the chicken
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours until chicken is cooked through and shreds easily
- Remove chicken and shred with two forks
- Add back into the crockpot and mix with BBQ sauce
- Serve hot
Recipe tips
- Plan on 2-3 people per chicken breast
- You can add an additional chicken breast to the crockpot without increasing the sauce
- If you double this recipe, the cooking time will increase
- Cooking time will vary slightly for each crockpot
- Don't overcook the chicken. 4-6 hours on low should be enough to fully cook the chicken. A longer time may result in dry chicken.
- Chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F
To shred chicken
There are three easy methods for shredding the chicken. Pick whichever one works best for you.
Forks
Use two forks and gently pull apart the chicken. This is my preferred method because I can control the size of the shredded chicken and I'm not dirtying up another bowl.
Hand mixer
Place cooked chicken in a bowl and use the regular beaters of a hand mixer. Turn the mixer on low and the beaters will shred the chicken.
Stand mixer
Place cooked chicken in the bowl of a stand mixer and use the paddle attachment. Turn the mixer on low and it will shred the chicken.
Frequently asked questions
Allow the chicken to fully cool and then place it in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Yes, this shredded chicken freezes well. Once cool, place in a freezer-safe container and place in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To use, remove from freezer and place in the refrigerator for 12 hours until thawed. Heat in a saucepan over low heat.
Serving suggestions
- Pile a hamburger bun full for a delicious sandwich
- Serve alongside rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes
- Add to a baked potato
- Roll up in a tortilla for an easy wrap
- Add to a salad and top with blue cheese dressing
More delicious crockpot recipes
- Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Teriyaki Chicken
- BBQ Pulled Pork
- Mexican Shredded Chicken
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Refried Beans
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Check out all my delicious main dish recipes!
Crockpot BBQ Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cup BBQ Sauce (18 oz bottle)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Honey
- 2 teaspoons Smoked Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 chicken breasts (1 ½ - 2 pounds)
Instructions
- Mix together BBQ sauce along with seasoning, honey and vinegar1 ¾ cup BBQ Sauce, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce, 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar, 2 tablespoons Honey, 2 teaspoons Smoked Paprika, 1 teaspoon Onion Powder, 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- Pour enough BBQ sauce on the bottom of the crockpot to just cover the bottom
- Season chicken with salt and place in the crockpot2 chicken breasts, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Add remaining BBQ sauce over the top of the chicken
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 until chicken is cooked through and shreds easily
- Remove chicken and shred with two forks
- Add chicken back into crockpot and mix with BBQ sauce
- Serve hot
Notes
- Plan on 2-3 people per chicken breast
- You can add an additional chicken breast to the crockpot without increasing the sauce
- If you double this recipe, the cooking time will increase
- Cooking time will vary slightly for each crockpot
- Don't overcook the chicken. 4-6 hours on low should be enough to fully cook the chicken. A longer time may result in dry chicken.
- Chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
PF says
I made the Crockpot BBQ shredded chicken and it was delicious. I will make it again 😊❤️
Kathy says
Thank you!
So glad you enjoyed it! 🙂