• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact Me

Beyond The Chicken Coop logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact Me
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact Me
×
Home » Main Dish

Published: Feb 16, 2023 by Kathy

Crockpot BBQ Chicken

Jump to Recipe

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read the full disclosure here.

A chicken sandwich filled with shredded bbq chicken.

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 on a bun.

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! Serve with a Blue Cheese Wedge Salad for a delicious meal!

Another easy and delicious crockpot recipe is this Crockpot BBQ Pork!

Key ingredients

Ingredients for making barbecue shredded chicken.

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

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
BBQ sauce and seasoning in a measuring cup.
Chicken breasts in a crock pot.
  • 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
Shredded chicken on a plate.
Shredded chicken with a barbecue sauce.

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

How do I store leftover shredded BBQ chicken?

Allow the chicken to fully cool and then place it in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Can I freeze shredded BBQ chicken?

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
  • Italian Beef Sandwiches
  • Teriyaki Chicken
  • BBQ Pulled Pork
  • Mexican Shredded Chicken
  • Chicken Tortilla Soup
  • Refried Beans
A shredded bbq chicken sandwich on a blue plate.

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!

  • A ladle filled with crock pot spaghetti sauce.
    Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce
  • Baked Flatbread Pizza topped with mushrooms, pepperoni, and olives.
    Flatbread Pizza
  • Pecan Crusted Chicken breast on a white plate with a salad.
    Pecan Crusted Chicken
  • Wedges of Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas on a white piece of parchment paper.
    Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas
Shredded BBQ chicken on a bun.

Crockpot BBQ Chicken

Kathy Berget
Delicious shredded chicken with a tangy BBQ sauce.
5 from 34 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 4 hours hrs
Total Time 4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 387 kcal

Equipment

  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Crockpot
Prevent your screen from going dark

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 vinegar
    1 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 crockpot
    2 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.

Nutrition

Calories: 387kcalCarbohydrates: 62gProtein: 25gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 1623mgPotassium: 787mgFiber: 2gSugar: 51gVitamin A: 810IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 57mgIron: 2mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @BeyondTheChickenCoop or tag #beyondthechickencoop!

More Main Dish

  • Creamy Tuscan Chicken with spinach and tomatoes on a white plate.
    Creamy Tuscan Chicken
  • Easy baked spaghetti casserole in a white baking dish.
    Baked Spaghetti
  • A steak quesadilla cut into wedges and stacked on a wooden board.
    Steak Quesadilla
  • Sheet Pan Shrimp with butter, garlic, parsley and lemon.
    Sheet Pan Shrimp

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. PF says

    February 18, 2023 at 10:38 am

    5 stars
    I made the Crockpot BBQ shredded chicken and it was delicious. I will make it again 😊❤️

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      February 18, 2023 at 11:27 am

      Thank you!
      So glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

      Reply
5 from 34 votes (33 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

The author holding a chicken.

I'm Kathy, and I love to create delicious recipes from scratch utilizing many ingredients that we grow and raise. I'm a recipe creator, food photographer, and cookbook author!

More about me →

Grilling Time

  • Skewered shrimp on a plate.
    Honey Lime Shrimp
  • Grilled ribs on a bed of lettuce.
    Smoked Baby Back Ribs
  • Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers on a white dinner plate.
    Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
  • Grilled chicken thighs on a white plate.
    Italian Dressing Chicken
  • Flatbread rounds on a brown paper bag.
    Grilled Flatbread
  • Grilled lemon chicken breast on a plate with baby potatoes and a green salad.
    Honey Lemon Chicken
  • A glass jar filled with an orange glaze with jalapenos.
    Jalapeno Apricot Sauce
  • A whole chicken on a can of beer on the grill.
    Beer Can Chicken on Grill

Popular Recipes

  • A single muffin topped with a crumbly topping on a plate.
    Banana Oatmeal Muffins
  • Breakfast sausage cooked in the oven.
    Breakfast Sausage in Oven
  • Crispy fish fillets topped with lemon wedges.
    Pan Fried Walleye
  • Gravy pouring over a pile of mashed potatoes.
    Homemade Brown Gravy
  • Crispy fish cakes on a white platter with lemon wedges.
    Fish Cakes
  • Pasta twirled around a fork and in a large white bowl.
    Garlic Butter Pasta

Cookbooks

Two cookbooks piled on a counter.

Featured In...

Beyond the Chicken Coop recipes have been featured in many different sites.

Footer

↑ back to top

Beyond the Chicken Coop recipes have been featured in many different sites.

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Disclosure Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 Beyond the Chicken Coop LLC ®

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.