Crockpot BBQ Chicken
This easy crockpot BBQ chicken recipe delivers juicy, tender chicken coated in a sweet, tangy, and smoky barbecue sauce—all with minimal effort. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or feeding a crowd, it’s a family-friendly dinner everyone will love.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5-6 hours (low) or 3-4 hours (high)
- Total Time: 5 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- Black pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon chili powder or cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Pat chicken dry with paper towels and trim excess fat.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Add smoked paprika or cayenne if desired.
- Place chicken in an even layer at the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken, spreading to coat all pieces. Do not stir.
- Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until chicken shreds easily and reaches 165°F.
- Transfer chicken to a cutting board and shred with two forks. Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to coat with sauce.
- Let chicken sit on ‘warm’ for 15-20 minutes before serving. If sauce is thin, simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes or stir in a cornstarch slurry.
- Taste and adjust seasoning or add more BBQ sauce if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
For extra flavor, add sliced onions or bell peppers before cooking. Use chicken thighs for juicier results. If using frozen chicken, add 1 hour to cook time and ensure chicken reaches 165°F. For a thicker sauce, simmer uncovered at the end or add a cornstarch slurry. Double-check BBQ sauce for gluten if needed. Leftovers store well and taste even better the next day.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/2 cup (120g) per serving
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 4
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 17
- Protein: 28
Keywords: crockpot BBQ chicken, slow cooker BBQ chicken, easy family dinner, shredded BBQ chicken, meal prep, gluten-free BBQ chicken, dairy-free, kid-friendly, barbecue chicken, pulled chicken