Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken is a hands-off, flavor-packed recipe featuring tender, juicy chicken simmered low and slow in smoky, tangy barbecue sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this versatile dish can be served in sandwiches, tacos, or over rice. Minimal prep and maximum taste make it a go-to meal for families and gatherings alike.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes to 8 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 to 3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs into the slow cooker in a single layer to ensure even cooking throughout.
- Add Seasonings and Sauce: Sprinkle the chicken evenly with onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and optional brown sugar, then pour the BBQ sauce generously over the top, covering the chicken well.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours until the chicken is completely tender and easy to shred with a fork.
- Shred and Mix: Remove the chicken and shred it using two forks; return it to the slow cooker and stir it fully into the sauce for extra flavor absorption.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once shredded and sauced, your Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken is ready to be enjoyed in sandwiches, tacos, salads, or right off the spoon for a hearty meal.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs for juicier meat; thighs have more fat and stay moist better than breasts.
- Don’t lift the lid during cooking to keep heat and moisture trapped.
- Choose your BBQ sauce wisely as its quality greatly impacts the flavor.
- Shred the chicken thoroughly to help it absorb the sauce better.
- Double the recipe for batch cooking and easy meal prep.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: slow cooker BBQ chicken, shredded BBQ chicken, easy BBQ chicken, slow cooker chicken recipe, tender BBQ chicken, weeknight dinner, meal prep chicken
Find it online: https://gourmetglazing.com/slow-cooker-bbq-chicken/
