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The Best Crockpot BBQ Chicken

Slow cooker chicken that turns into tender pulled BBQ chicken with minimal effort. Shredded chicken is simmered in a sweet-tangy BBQ sauce until it’s sandwich-ready.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 650
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

chicken
  • 3 lb chicken breasts or thighs Use boneless if possible for easiest shredding.
BBQ sauce mixture
  • 2 cup BBQ sauce
  • 0.25 cup brown sugar Packed brown sugar helps the sauce cling.
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar Adds tang and balances sweetness.
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 0.25 salt and pepper Season to taste; use a generous pinch.
serving
  • 1 hamburger buns for serving Warm buns for the best sandwich texture.

Equipment

  • 1 slow cooker

Method
 

Season and add sauce
  1. Place chicken in the slow cooker and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  2. Mix BBQ sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce.
  3. Pour the sauce over the chicken so it’s evenly coated.
Slow cook
  1. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, keeping the lid on, until the chicken shreds easily and looks tender throughout.
  2. (Alternative) Cook on high for 3-4 hours, lid-on, until the chicken shreds easily and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.
Shred and serve
  1. Shred the chicken with two forks and mix it into the sauce until coated and glossy, then let it soak for 5 minutes for better texture.
  2. Serve the pulled BBQ chicken on hamburger buns for sandwich-style servings.

Notes

Pro tip: If your BBQ sauce seems thick, stir once during the last hour so it clings evenly to the chicken. Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container for up to 4 days; reheat in the microwave or on low in the slow cooker until hot. Freezing is yes—freeze shredded chicken with sauce for up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the fridge. Dietary swap: Use a sugar-free BBQ sauce if you want a lower-sugar option while keeping the same method.