Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken is a great staple recipe because you can use it in so many ways. It works great for easy dinner but is also perfect for parties and potlucks! You can use it to make everything from sandwiches and tacos to toppings for baked potatoes and rice bowls.
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken
What makes Crockpot shredded BBQ chicken even better is that is so easy to make. You can dump everything and let it cook. The slow cooker does all of the work and you’ll come back to delicious chicken that’s ready for your next meal!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to prep. This recipe is so easy to get ready. All you have to do is mix together the spices, season the chicken, and let it cook.
- Use your favorite BBQ sauce. You can make the flavors of this shredded chicken your own by using your favorite barbecue sauces. Or try different sauces to get different flavors each time you make it.
- Four easy steps. This is such a simple recipe. You just have to season the chicken, add it to the Crock pot, shred it, add your BBQ sauce, and you’re ready to enjoy it!
Ingredients & Equipment
The ingredient list for this recipe may look long but it’s mostly a combination of seasonings and spices that add tons of flavor to the chicken. You might even have most of them in your pantry already. Here’s what you’ll need to add to your sh0pping list:
- Salt
- Mustard powder
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Onion powder
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Cayenne pepper
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast
- Water
- BBQ sauce
The exact measurements for reach of these ingredients is listed in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
You’ll also need some equipment from your kitchen:
- 5 QT Crockpot
- Small mixing bowl
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cups
- Fork or meat shredder
- Silicone Spatula
You can also use Crockpot Liners to make cleanup super easy.
Step By Step Directions
Step 1. In a small bowl, combine the salt, mustard powder, chili powder, cumin, onion powder, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Stir to mix and set aside.
Step 2. Spray the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Place the chicken breasts in bowl.
Step 3. Cover each chicken breast liberally with the seasoning mix.
Step 4. Cook the chicken breasts on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours. If you’re worried about the chicken breasts drying out while cooking, you can add 1/4-1/2 cup of water to the slow cooker.
Step 5. When chicken is cooked through, remove it from the slow cooker and shed it using two forks. If it’s not tender enough, cook it longer.
Step 6. Place the chicken back in the slow cooker and pour the BBQ sauce over the shredded chicken. Stir to mix so all of the chicken is well coated with sauce.
Step 7. Replace the lid and allow to heat for 10 more minutes before serving.
Leftovers Storage & Reheating
You can store leftover slow cooker BBQ chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
If you want to freeze the BBQ pulled chicken, I recommend dividing it up into individual portions before freezing. Then put them in airtight freezer bags. You can store them for up to 3 months. Thaw before reheating.
You can reheat slow cooker BBQ pulled chicken in the slow cooker or in the microwave. If you have larger portions, you can heat them on low in the slow cooker until heated through. For smaller portions, use the microwave. Heat it in 30 second increments until it’s heated.
How to Use Crockpot BBQ Chicken
There’s tons of different ways to use this slow cooker barbecue chicken. It’s versatility is what makes it so great. You can make a batch and use it so many different ways. Try some of these:
- Sandwiches: Top your favorite buns with BBQ chicken for an easy chicken sandwiches. I love using Hawaiian rolls to make sandwiches with this chicken.
- Loaded baked potatoes: Add BBQ chicken to your baked potato along with your usual toppings for a delicious loaded baked potato that makes another easy meal! (You can use a sweet potato too!)
- Tacos or quesadillas: Add this chicken to tortillas and cheese for delicious quesadillas. You can also use it as taco filling and top it with your favorite taco toppings.
- Pizza: One of my favorite pizzas at a local pizza place is the BBQ chicken pizza. With this recipe you can make your own at home.
- Salad: Top a bed of lettuce with BBQ chicken, avocado, corn, black beans, and a light ranch dressing for a tasty salad.
- Pasta: Toss the chicken with cooked penne and some extra BBQ sauce for a quick BBQ chicken pasta.
- Rice bowl: Top rice with BBQ chicken, avocado, corn, black beans, and sour cream.
- Macaroni & Cheese: We love a good mac and cheese at our house. Top with or mix in some of this shredded BBQ chicken to turn it into a delicious main dish!
- Nachos: Top chips with chicken and your favorite toppings to make bbq chicken nachos. You can make them easily on a sheet pan.
- BBQ Chicken Dip: Mix the chicken with cream cheese, shredded cheese, and a bit of ranch. Bake in the oven until bubbly and serve with crackers or chips.
BBQ Chicken Side Dishes
You can also serve it with a variety of side dishes, especially if you’re making BBQ chicken sandwiches.
FAQs
Is it better to cook chicken on high or low in the Crockpot?
I recommend cooking it on low if possible when cooking boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You can cook them on high and they will be okay. Just keep an eye on them to make sure you don’t over cook them.
Can I use frozen chicken breasts in this recipe?
Yes, you can! If you use frozen chicken breasts, I would not add any other liquid during cooking because it will have enough moisture as the icy parts cook.
What size slow cooker should I use?
I recommend no bigger than a 5-6 quart Crockpot for this recipe. You can use smaller, but I wouldn’t use anything any bigger unless you’re doubling the recipe.
What kind of BBQ sauce should I use?
Any kind that you like! This is one of the best parts about this recipe, changing the BBQ sauce can change up the flavor! Here are some ideas:
- Classic Sweet BBQ Sauce
- Smoky Mesquite BBQ Sauce
- Spicy Chipotle BBQ Sauce
- Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce
- Carolina Gold (Tangy Mustard-Based) BBQ Sauce
- Korean BBQ Sauce (Sweet and Savory)
- Hickory Smoke BBQ Sauce
- Texas-Style Spicy BBQ Sauce
- Maple Bourbon BBQ Sauce
- Apple Cider Vinegar-Based BBQ Sauce (Eastern Carolina Style)
- Memphis-Style BBQ Sauce (Tangy and Sweet)
- Pineapple Teriyaki BBQ Sauc
Just visit the barbecue sauce aisle at your grocery store and choose something that sounds good! It makes it so easy to change this recipe up and use it again and again!
More Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes
- Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore
- Crock Pot Chicken Enchiladas
- Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan
- Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie Soup
- Crock Pot Chicken Stew
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon Chili powder
- ½ teaspoon Cumin
- ½ teaspoon Onion powder
- ½ teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- Pinch Cayenne pepper to taste
- 2 pounds Chicken breast boneless, skinless
- 1 bottle BBQ sauce
- Nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the salt, mustard powder, chili powder, cumin, onion powder, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Stir to mix and set aside.
- Spray the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Place the chicken breasts in bowl.
- Cover each chicken breast liberally with the seasoning mix.
- Cook the chicken breasts on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours. If you’re worried about the chicken breasts drying out while cooking, you can add 1/4-1/2 cup of water to the slow cooker.
- When chicken is cooked through, remove it from the slow cooker and shed it using two forks. If it’s not tender enough, cook it longer.
- Place the chicken back in the slow cooker and pour the BBQ sauce over the shredded chicken. Stir to mix so all of the chicken is well coated with sauce.
- Replace the lid and allow to heat for 10 more minutes before serving.
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