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Square side shot of a bbq pulled chicken slow cooker recipe in a bowl.
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5 from 5 votes

Crock Pot BBQ Pulled Chicken

A sweet, zesty, and tender bbq pulled chicken slow cooker recipe with just 5 minutes of prep!
Course Dinner
Cuisine American, Southern
Keyword bbq pulled chicken slow cooker, crock pot bbq chicken, crockpot bbq chicken, pulled BBQ chicken in crock pot, slow cooker barbecue chicken
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
0 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 5 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 382kcal
Author Blair Lonergan

Ingredients

  • 1 (18 ounce) bottle barbecue sauce (I use Sweet Baby Ray's brand)
  • ¼ cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional, for serving: coleslaw, sandwich buns, pickles

Instructions

  • In a large slow cooker, whisk together the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, smoked paprika, chili powder, onion powder, and garlic powder.
    Pouring bbq sauce into a slow cooker.
  • Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper to taste. Place the chicken in the slow cooker and spoon some of the sauce over top. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours.
    Adding chicken breasts to a Crock Pot.
  • Shred the chicken with two forks. Stir the meat back into the sauce. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if desired.
    Square side shot of a bbq pulled chicken slow cooker recipe in a bowl.
  • Serve on sandwich buns or with your favorite sides.
    Square side shot of Crock Pot bbq pulled chicken on a sandwich with coleslaw.

Video

Notes

Be careful not to overcook your chicken. I find that the chicken breast or thighs have the best texture when cooked in my slow cooker on HIGH for about 2-3 hours (at the most -- sometimes they're done in just 90 minutes). That keeps them moist and juicy, and prevents them from drying out. The meat is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/6 of the chicken | Calories: 382kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 97mg | Sodium: 1086mg | Potassium: 824mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 665IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 2mg