The Best Crockpot BBQ Chicken (Easy Pulled Chicken)

The aroma of tender, saucy chicken wafting through your kitchen is an experience you won’t want to miss. This recipe for the Best Crockpot BBQ Chicken (Easy Pulled Chicken) delivers on flavor and simplicity, taking just a few minutes of prep time before letting your slow cooker work its magic. With the perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess, this dish guarantees satisfaction for any BBQ lover.

This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings when you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen. You can even prepare it in advance; shredded pulled chicken stores beautifully, making it an ideal option for meal prep.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• The chicken becomes incredibly tender and flavorful as it simmers in BBQ sauce.
• It’s a one-pot meal, saving you time on cleanup.
• You can easily customize the sweetness level to your liking.
• Perfect for a variety of meals, from sandwiches to salads.

What You’ll Need

Gather these ingredients to make your delicious BBQ chicken:

For the Chicken

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, with fat trimmed off
• salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Sauce

• 1 1/4 cup barbecue sauce (We love sweet Baby Ray’s Honey BBQ)
• 1/2 cup Italian dressing (I use this fat-free one)
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar (can reduce to 1/8 cup or omit if you prefer it less sweet)
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder

Consider fat-free dressing for a lighter option.

Substitutions & Swaps

• Any BBQ sauce can work for a different flavor.
• Use chicken thighs for a richer taste.
• Replace Worcestershire sauce with soy sauce if needed.
• Try a sugar alternative for less sweetness.

How to Make It

Get ready to enjoy an effortless cooking experience!

1. Spray

Liberally spray the inside of a large crockpot or slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray or line it with a disposable liner for easy cleanup.

2. Season

Season your trimmed boneless, skinless chicken breasts with salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder, and place them in the bottom of your crockpot.

3. Whisk

In a medium size mixing bowl, add barbecue sauce, Italian dressing, light brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk until combined.

4. Pour

Pour the mixture evenly over the chicken breasts, place the lid on the crockpot, and cook on high for 2.5-3 hours or low for 5-6 hours. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to 165 degrees internal temperature.

5. Shred

Once fully cooked, you can either serve the chicken whole or use two forks to shred it right in the crockpot to soak up all the extra marinade and BBQ sauce.

6. Serve

Serve on buns for delicious BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches, or use in pizza, salad, tacos, nachos, over rice, or enjoy by itself.

How to Store It

Fridge: Store for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
Freezer: Yes, it freezes well for up to 3 months.
Reheat: Microwave on medium for 2-3 minutes or until heated through.

Tips for Best Results

• Trim any excess fat from chicken breasts for better texture.
• Adjust the cooking time based on your crockpot’s heat settings for optimal results.
• Shred the chicken directly in the sauce for more flavor absorption.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve on toasted buns for a classic BBQ sandwich experience.
• Top a fresh salad with shredded BBQ chicken for a hearty meal.
• Use as a filling for tacos or nachos for a delicious twist.