This Easy Crockpot BBQ Pulled Chicken is super tasty and simple. Just toss chicken breasts in the slow cooker with your favorite BBQ sauce, and let it do the work!
I love how hands-off this recipe is—just set it and forget it. It’s perfect for busy days when I want a yummy meal without the fuss. You can serve it on buns or with rice! 🍗
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Chicken Breasts: Boneless and skinless are best for this recipe because they cook evenly and shred easily. If you prefer dark meat, chicken thighs can be a terrific alternative for added moisture.
BBQ Sauce: Any BBQ sauce you love will work. If you’re looking to cut sugar, try sugar-free BBQ sauces, or make your own with tomato sauce, vinegar, and spices!
Chicken Broth: It adds flavor, but if you don’t have any, water can work just as well. For a richer taste, consider using vegetable or beef broth.
Worcestershire Sauce: This is optional, but it gives a nice depth of flavor. If you don’t have it, soy sauce or liquid smoke can add a similar umami effect.
Spices: The smoked paprika adds a barbecue flavor. You can replace it with regular paprika or even chipotle powder for a kick.
How Do You Shred Chicken Easily After Cooking?
Shredding chicken is simple but can feel tricky without the right technique. Here’s how to do it effectively:
- Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the crockpot and place it on a cutting board.
- Use two forks—one to hold the chicken in place and the other to pull apart the meat into shreds.
- If the chicken is very tender, it should fall apart easily. If not, give it a little more time in the crockpot.
- After shredding, mix the chicken back into the sauce in the crockpot for extra flavor.
If you’re in a hurry, you can also use a hand mixer to shred the chicken in the bowl, just be careful not to overdo it!
How to Make Easy Crockpot BBQ Pulled Chicken
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 2 to 3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce (your favorite brand or homemade)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or water
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (optional, for extra depth)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Hamburger buns or sandwich rolls, for serving
- Optional: Coleslaw, for topping
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious BBQ pulled chicken recipe requires about 10 minutes of prep time. Then, you’ll need to let the chicken cook in the crockpot for 6-7 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high. After cooking, let it soak in the sauce for an additional 15-20 minutes. So, grab a few ingredients, and let your slow cooker do the job!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Chicken:
Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts directly into your crockpot. You can use frozen chicken too; just add a little extra time to the cooking process.
2. Mix the Sauce:
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the BBQ sauce, chicken broth (or water), Worcestershire sauce (if using), smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until well combined. This is the flavor that will make your chicken super tasty!
3. Coat the Chicken:
Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken breasts. Make sure they are nicely coated in that delicious sauce. It’s okay if they aren’t completely submerged; they will soak up the flavor as they cook.
4. Cook It:
Cover the crockpot with its lid and set it to LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours. You’ll know the chicken is done when it’s very tender and shreds easily with a fork.
5. Shred the Chicken:
Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken from the crockpot using tongs or a slotted spoon and place it on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the chicken into pieces. It should fall apart easily!
6. Combine and Let It Soak:
Return the shredded chicken back into the crockpot. Stir it well into the remaining sauce so that every bite is packed with flavor. Let it cook for an additional 15-20 minutes on low, just to ensure everything is warm and flavorful.
7. Serve It Up:
To serve, scoop generous portions of pulled chicken onto hamburger buns or sandwich rolls. If you like, top it with coleslaw for an extra crunch and flavor kick.
8. Enjoy!
Dig in and enjoy your delicious, homemade BBQ pulled chicken! It’s perfect for family dinners, game days, or any time you’re craving something delicious.
Can I Use Frozen Chicken for This Recipe?
Absolutely! You can use frozen chicken breasts, but you’ll need to increase the cooking time to about 8 hours on low or 5 hours on high. Ensure that the chicken is fully cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F) before shredding.
What Can I Substitute for BBQ Sauce?
If you’re out of BBQ sauce, you can use a mix of ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and spices for a quick homemade BBQ sauce. Just adjust to your taste to make it as sweet or tangy as you like!
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover pulled chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or BBQ sauce to keep it moist.
Can I Make This Recipe Ahead of Time?
Yes, this recipe is perfect for meal prep! You can cook the chicken ahead of time and store it in the fridge or freeze it. Just make sure to let it cool completely before storing. When ready to eat, simply reheat until warm and serve on buns!
