Hey there, fellow food lovers! Today I’m super excited to share my absolute favorite way to make BBQ chicken that’s guaranteed to have your family begging for seconds. If you’re looking for a super easy, fall-off-the-bone tender chicken recipe that practically makes itself you’ve come to the right place. I’ve been perfecting this crock pot BBQ chicken recipe for years and I’m thrilled to finally share all my secrets with you!
Why Crock Pot BBQ Chicken is a Game-Changer
Before I dive into the recipe, let me tell you why this has become my go-to meal for busy weeknights and weekend gatherings alike:
- It requires almost zero effort (seriously, just dump everything in and walk away!)
- The chicken turns out ridiculously tender and juicy every single time
- It’s perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week
- You can customize it with your favorite BBQ sauce
- No need to heat up your kitchen with the oven
My family absolutely LOVES this recipe, and my kids even ask for seconds (which is basically a miracle in my house). I’ve served this at countless gatherings, and the slow cooker is always scraped clean by the end of the night!
What You’ll Need
Let me break down the simple ingredients you’ll need to make this happen
- 3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken (breasts or thighs work great!)
- 1½ cups BBQ sauce (I love Sweet Baby Ray’s Honey BBQ, but use your fave!)
- ½ medium onion, grated (with all that yummy juice)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce (adds amazing depth of flavor)
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar (for that perfect touch of sweetness)
Optional add-ins that I sometimes throw in:
- 1 tsp paprika for a smoky kick
- ½ tsp each of salt and pepper
- ¼ tsp cayenne if you like it spicy
- 4 crushed garlic cloves for extra flavor
The beauty of this recipe is that you can totally adjust it to your taste preferences. Sometimes I go heavier on the Worcestershire for a tangier result, or add more brown sugar when I want it sweeter. Make it your own!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Alright, now let’s get cooking! Here’s the super simple process:
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Prep your sauce mixture: In your 5-6 quart slow cooker, stir together all the sauce ingredients: BBQ sauce, grated onion (with juice), olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar. If you’re using the optional ingredients like paprika, salt, pepper, or garlic, add those in too!
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Add your chicken: Place your trimmed chicken breasts or thighs into the slow cooker and turn them to coat completely in the sauce mixture.
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Set it and forget it: Cover and cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or on LOW for 6-7 hours. The cooking time can vary depending on your slow cooker and the thickness of your chicken, so I recommend checking it early if you’re making a smaller batch or if you know your crock pot runs hot.
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Check for doneness: Your chicken is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and shreds easily with a fork.
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Shred and mix: Remove the chicken to a cutting board and shred each piece using two forks. I find it easier to shred the chicken while it’s still warm! Then return the shredded chicken to the crock pot and stir to coat with all that delicious sauce.
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Optional final step: For extra flavor development, cover and let it cook on LOW for another 30 minutes after shredding. This really lets the chicken absorb all those amazing flavors!
Pro Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
Over the years, I’ve picked up some tricks that make this recipe even better:
- Don’t skip the grated onion! It basically melts into the sauce and adds amazing flavor without chunks of onion.
- Check your chicken early if making a smaller batch, as it will cook faster.
- For a thicker sauce, after removing the chicken to shred, you can transfer some of the sauce to a small saucepan and simmer it to reduce and thicken while you’re shredding the chicken.
- If doubling the recipe, expect it to take a bit longer to cook through.
- No need to add extra liquid – the chicken will release plenty of juices as it cooks!
Serving Suggestions
This versatile BBQ chicken is amazing in so many ways! Here are my favorite ways to serve it:
- Classic sandwiches: Pile it high on soft burger buns with coleslaw and dill pickle chips
- Loaded baked potatoes: Top a baked potato or sweet potato with the BBQ chicken
- BBQ chicken tacos: Stuff into tortillas with slaw for a fun twist
- Nachos: Spread over tortilla chips with cheese and all your favorite toppings
- Pizza topping: Use as a topping for homemade pizza with red onions and cilantro
- Salad protein: Add to a fresh green salad for a protein boost
My personal favorite is serving it on buns with my coconut coleslaw and dill pickle chips. The combination of sweet, tangy, and crunchy is absolutely irresistible!
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
One of the things I love most about this recipe is how well it works for meal prep:
- Make ahead: You can make this BBQ chicken up to 3 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Reheating: The best way to reheat is right in the slow cooker on LOW until warmed through, but microwave works in a pinch!
- Freezing: This chicken freezes beautifully! I portion it into freezer bags for quick meals later. It keeps well for up to 3 months.
- Double batch: I often double this recipe when cooking for a crowd or when I want lots of leftovers for the week ahead.
Common Questions I Get About This Recipe
Can I use frozen chicken?
I wouldn’t recommend it. Frozen chicken tends to release a lot of water as it thaws in the crock pot, which can water down your sauce. If you must use frozen, consider cooking the chicken alone first, draining off excess liquid, then adding your sauce ingredients.
What if my sauce is too runny?
If your sauce ends up too thin (which can happen if your chicken releases a lot of liquid), you can simmer the sauce on the stovetop to reduce it after removing the chicken to shred. About 15-20 minutes of simmering should do the trick!
Can I make my own BBQ sauce instead of store-bought?
Absolutely! Homemade BBQ sauce works beautifully in this recipe and lets you control exactly what goes into it. Just substitute an equal amount of your favorite homemade sauce.
Can I cook it longer than recommended?
While the slow cooker is forgiving, chicken can eventually dry out if cooked too long, even in liquid. I wouldn’t go beyond 8 hours on LOW or 4 hours on HIGH.
Why This Recipe Works Every Time
I’ve made this recipe countless times, and it never disappoints. The magic happens because:
- The slow, gentle heat of the crock pot breaks down the proteins in the chicken, making it incredibly tender
- The chicken cooks in the sauce, absorbing all those flavors throughout
- The combination of sweet, tangy, and savory elements creates perfectly balanced flavor
- Shredding the chicken and returning it to the sauce allows it to soak up even more flavor
This is seriously one of those recipes that makes people think you spent hours in the kitchen, when in reality your slow cooker did all the work!
Final Thoughts
This crock pot BBQ chicken recipe has seriously saved dinner in my house more times than I can count. It’s one of those back-pocket recipes that never fails to impress, whether I’m feeding my picky kids or hosting a backyard gathering.
The best part? You likely have all these ingredients in your pantry right now! So pull out that slow cooker, gather your ingredients, and prepare to enjoy the most effortless, delicious BBQ chicken you’ve ever made.
I’d love to hear how your BBQ chicken turns out! Drop me a comment below if you try this recipe or have any questions. Happy cooking!
P.S. Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram if you make this – I absolutely LOVE seeing your creations! #crockpotbbqchicken
Nutrition Facts (per serving, makes about 8 servings):
- Calories: 317
- Carbs: 26g
- Protein: 37g
- Fat: 7g
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 770mg
Recipe adapted from my experiments and inspired by Natasha’s Kitchen and The Pioneer Woman
