Name: Crockpot BBQ Chicken (Juicy + Tender!)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 240 min
Total time: 250 min
Ingredients: 2 lbs boneless chicken breast (1 ); 1/2 cup barbecue sauce (2); 1/4 cup maple syrup (3); 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar; 1 tablespoon chili powder (4)

Fall apart tender, juicy and so flavorful, this crockpot BBQ chicken is perfect served on sandwiches, in wraps, or even on pizza. Just 5 simple ingredients required!

Cooking chicken in the slow cooker does not have to be boring- from crockpot chicken fajitas to lemon garlic chicken, there are so many flavor options that you'll never get bored!

side angle view of bbq chicken sandwich on plate

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This crockpot BBQ chicken is simple and yet you are rewarded with the most deliciously juicy pulled chicken that is the perfect base for multiple meals.

Serve it up with some air fryer corn for a delicious, summery meal!

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Reasons you'll ♡ crockpot BBQ chicken

has only 5 simple ingredients, is juicy, flavorful and kid-friendly
it works great for meal prep: assemble as a freezer crockpot recipe or cook ahead and use in multiple meals
is perfect served in sandwiches, tacos, wraps and on pizza

Don't forget to pin this post to save it for later!

Ingredient notes

ingredients required to make slow cooker bbq chicken (labelled)

chicken- feel free to use boneless skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts; increase the cook time to low 4-5 hours for thighs
BBQ sauce- use your favorite! I've used various brands including Stubb's, Sweet Baby Ray's* and Newman's Own to make this recipe. *our favorite
apple cider vinegar- enhances the tanginess of this recipe; I strongly recommend the Bragg's brand.
maple syrup- adds sweetness to contrast the vinegar; swap for brown sugar or honey.
chili powder- refers to a paprika-based chili powder blend; do not confuse with pure powdered chilis! If you cannot find it in the spice aisle of your grocery store, consider making your own.

Step by step directions

overhead view of bbq chicken in the slow cooker before cooking

1. Combine- Stir together the barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup and chili powder in the base of a 5 or 6 quart slow cooker. Stir until smooth, then add the chicken breasts, turning to coat in the sauce.

2. Cook- Put the lid on the slow cooker, then cook on low for 3-4 hours. Do not lift the lid while it cooks!

A note about slow cookers- I use Crock Pot brand slow cookers which cook slightly hot. If you know your slow cooker cooks lower or slower, increase the cook time to 4-5 hours.

shredded chicken in a bowl with electric hand mixer sitting beside it

3. Shred- Use tongs to remove the cooked chicken breasts from the slow cooker, placing them into a clean bowl. Use an electric hand mixer or two forks to shred the chicken. Then return to the slow cooker, tossing it back up in the sauce.

TIP- If you prefer sliced chicken, that will work as well: rest the chicken on a cutting board for 10 minutes, then cut into strips or cubes before tossing it back in the sauce.

Serve it up

BBQ pulled chicken is typically served on a bun with slaw. If you'd like a good slaw recipe, check out these honey lime shredded chicken sandwiches!

While crockpot BBQ chicken is great served on a sandwich, there are several other ways you can serve it up:

pizza- top with pineapple, red onion, and extra barbecue sauce brushed on the crust (or on naan bread pizza!)
wrap or tacos- top with crunchy cabbage slaw
burrito bowl- serve with rice, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, guacamole, and your favorite toppings (check out pulled pork burrito bowls for more ideas)
meal prep bowls- use these Grilled Veggie Black Bean Meal Prep Bowls as inspiration

tongs lifting bbq chicken out of the slow cooker with juices dripping

Serving size + equipment

This recipe is formulated to be cooked in a larger slow cooker- 5 or 6 quarts, and it makes a large portion (serves 8). If you don’t want to have ample leftovers, you can cut the recipe in half and cook in a 2.5 or smaller slow cooker.

my favorite 6 quart slow cooker
cook a half batch in this 2.5 quart slow cooker
it also worked in a 6 quart Instant Pot, cooking for 8 minutes at high pressure with a quick pressure release

Meal prep + storage

Crockpot BBQ chicken is perfect for meal prep, and can work in a few different ways:

1. Crock pot freezer meal

A crock pot freezer meal is assembled ahead and frozen before cooking. This way, when it’s time to cook, you simply dump the ingredients into the slow cooker and skip any measuring. This is a great recipe to prepare for someone who is expecting a baby.

Here’s how you can turn this recipe into a freezer meal:

Assemble the boneless skinless chicken breasts plus all remaining ingredients in a gallon-sized freezer bag, reusable silicone bag, or meal prep container.
Squeeze out as much air as possible.
Freeze flat for up to 3 months.
Thaw completely, then cook as directed in the recipe card.

Find my favorite freezer containers here!

2. Cook ahead and reheat

You can cook this recipe all the way through, and store in an air tight container in the fridge (up to 4 days) or freezer (up to 3 months), using it as a protein for multiple meals.

Rewarm in a frying pan, using tongs to stir it up. Heat until steaming hot, and enjoy!

Find my favorite meal prep containers here!

overhead view of bbq chicken in slow cooker after cooking

More slow cooker chicken recipes

Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!

Crockpot BBQ Chicken (Juicy + Tender!)

5 from 5 votes

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 4

Total Time: 4 10

Print Rate

Fall apart tender, juicy and so flavorful, this crockpot BBQ chicken is perfect served on sandwiches, in wraps, or even on pizza. Just 5 simple ingredients required!

Ingredients

Instructions

Combine- Stir together the barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup and chili powder in the base of a 5 or 6 quart slow cooker. Stir until smooth, then add the chicken breasts, turning to coat in the sauce.
Cook- Put the lid on the slow cooker, then cook on low for 3-4 hours (see note 5). Do not lift the lid while it cooks!
Shred- Use tongs to remove the cooked chicken breasts from the slow cooker, placing them into a clean bowl. Use an electric hand mixer or two forks to shred the chicken.
Toss- Return to the slow cooker, tossing it back up in the sauce.

Tips:

1- this is roughly 4 large chicken breasts; swap for an equal weight of boneless skinless chicken thighs and increase the cook time to 4-5 hours on low.

2- I've tested this with Stubb's, Sweet Baby Ray's and Newman's Own sauces; use your favorite!

3- maple syrup may be swapped for an equal volume of honey or brown sugar.

4- refers to a paprika-based spice blend

5- A note about slow cookers- I use Crock Pot brand slow cookers which cook slightly hot. If you know your slow cooker cooks lower or slower, increase the cook time to 4-5 hours.

Serving

Serve on a bun with slaw
Serve on pizza with barbecue sauce, onions and pineapple
Serve in tacos or wraps with slaw
Serve in burrito bowls with with rice, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, guacamole, and your favorite toppings
Serve as a protein in meal prep bowls with grilled vegetables

Storage

After cooking and cooling, chicken may be stored in an air tight container in the fridge (4 days) or freezer (3 months).

Reheating

Heat in a frying pan, using tongs to stir and flip the chicken so that it heats through evenly.

Do not reheat more than once.

Video

Nutrition Information

Serving: 0.5cup, Calories: 191kcal, Carbohydrates: 14g, Protein: 24g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 72mg, Sodium: 332mg, Potassium: 508mg, Fiber: 0g, Sugar: 12g, Vitamin A: 370IU, Vitamin C: 1.5mg, Calcium: 26mg, Iron: 0.7mg

Author: Annie Holmes

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: BBQ

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