Ultimate Easy BBQ Crockpot Chicken: Your Go-To Slow Cooker Recipe for Flavorful Family Meals
After a demanding day filled with work, family activities, and household chores, the last thing anyone wants is a complicated dinner recipe. Picture this: walking through the door, exhausted and perhaps a little too warm, only to be greeted by the comforting aroma of a delicious meal that practically prepared itself. Sound like a dream? It’s not! This Easy BBQ Crockpot Chicken recipe is your answer to effortless, flavorful dinners. By simply utilizing your slow cooker and a bottle of your favorite barbecue sauce, you can create a mouth-watering dish that the whole family will adore, making weeknights and weekend gatherings a breeze. It truly doesn’t get simpler, or more satisfying, than this.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
This slow cooker BBQ chicken isn’t just easy; it’s incredibly versatile and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family, planning a casual get-together, or simply looking for a stress-free meal prep option, this recipe ticks all the boxes. Here’s why it will quickly become a staple in your kitchen:
- Minimal Effort, Maximum Flavor: The slow cooker does all the hard work, slowly simmering the chicken in a rich barbecue sauce until it’s tender and bursting with flavor. Just a few minutes of prep in the morning, and dinner is ready by evening.
- Incredibly Versatile: Forget just one way to serve it! This shredded BBQ chicken is fantastic on soft rolls, light and refreshing in lettuce wraps, or simply enjoyed plain with a side of your favorite vegetables. My own children love it for lunch with fresh corn on the cob, and it’s always a hit at potlucks and cookouts.
- A Guaranteed Crowd-Pleaser: The sweet and savory notes of BBQ chicken appeal to almost everyone, from picky eaters to gourmet enthusiasts. It’s the kind of comfort food that brings smiles to faces and quickly disappears from the serving dish.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Cook a large batch on the weekend, and you’ll have delicious chicken ready for sandwiches, salads, or quick dinners throughout the week. It freezes beautifully, too, offering an incredible time-saving solution for future meals.
- Simple, Accessible Ingredients: You won’t need to hunt down obscure ingredients for this recipe. Just chicken breasts and your favorite bottle of BBQ sauce are the stars, proving that amazing flavor doesn’t require a complex shopping list.
Essential Ingredients and Handy Equipment for BBQ Crockpot Chicken
One of the beauties of this recipe is its simplicity, requiring just a couple of core ingredients and a few common kitchen tools. Making a large amount of BBQ chicken in your slow cooker is also a smart strategy for meal prepping, allowing you to freeze portions for easy, convenient meals with minimal cleanup later. I certainly love the sound of that!
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For the Delicious Chicken:
- Fresh Chicken Breasts (4–5): Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal for this recipe as they cook down to be incredibly tender and easy to shred. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for an even juicier and more forgiving result, if preferred. The key is to have enough chicken to feed your crowd, typically 1.5-2 pounds.
- 1 Bottle of Your Favorite BBQ Sauce: This is where you can truly customize the flavor! Whether you prefer a smoky, sweet, tangy, or slightly spicy barbecue sauce, choose one that you love. Popular brands work wonderfully, or you can opt for a gourmet sauce to elevate the dish.
Handy Equipment for Effortless Cooking:
- Slow Cooker: This is the star appliance of the show. Any standard slow cooker (3-6 quart capacity is usually sufficient for this amount of chicken) will work perfectly. Its ability to cook food slowly at a low temperature is what makes the chicken incredibly tender and infuses it with maximum flavor without any fuss.
- Slotted Spoon: While you might not think of it as essential, a sturdy slotted spoon (or two forks) will be incredibly helpful for shredding the cooked chicken directly in the slow cooker pot once it’s done.
Simple Steps to Your Delicious BBQ Crockpot Chicken
Preparing this BBQ crockpot chicken is so straightforward, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it every week! Follow these easy steps for a perfectly cooked and flavorful meal:
- Prepare Your Slow Cooker: Begin by pouring about 1 cup of your chosen BBQ sauce into the bottom of your slow cooker. This layer helps prevent the chicken from sticking and ensures it’s coated in flavor from the start.
- Add the Chicken: Carefully place your chicken breasts into the slow cooker on top of the sauce. You can use fresh or frozen chicken for this recipe; the cooking time will adjust slightly if using frozen (see FAQ section below for more details). There’s no need to brown the chicken beforehand.
- Set and Forget: Cover your slow cooker with its lid and set it to cook on the LOW setting for 6–8 hours. If you’re short on time, you can cook it on HIGH for 3-4 hours, but the low setting yields more tender, juicier results. The long, slow cook allows the chicken to absorb all the wonderful flavors of the barbecue sauce.
- Shred the Chicken: Once the cooking time is complete, the chicken should be incredibly tender and easy to shred. Using two forks or a slotted spoon, shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker pot. It should fall apart with minimal effort.
- Incorporate More Sauce: After shredding, add another 1 to 2 cups of BBQ sauce to the chicken, or adjust according to your preference for sauciness. Stir well to ensure every piece of shredded chicken is thoroughly coated. This step is crucial for maximizing flavor and moisture.
- Serve and Enjoy: Your delicious Easy BBQ Crockpot Chicken is now ready! Serve it hot, either outdoors for a relaxed gathering or indoors for a cozy family dinner. The possibilities for serving are endless, from classic sandwiches to creative wraps.
Serving Suggestions for Your BBQ Crockpot Chicken
The beauty of this slow cooker BBQ chicken lies in its incredible versatility. While it’s perfect on rolls, there are so many creative ways to enjoy this flavorful dish:
- Classic Sandwiches or Sliders: Pile the shredded chicken onto toasted hamburger buns or slider rolls for a timeless BBQ sandwich experience. Add a dollop of creamy coleslaw for extra crunch and tang.
- Light & Healthy Lettuce Wraps: For a low-carb option, serve the BBQ chicken in crisp lettuce cups (such as butter lettuce or romaine). Top with diced red onion, cilantro, or a squeeze of lime.
- Over Rice or Quinoa: A generous serving of BBQ chicken over a bed of fluffy white rice, brown rice, or nutritious quinoa makes for a complete and satisfying meal.
- Baked Potatoes or Sweet Potatoes: Top a warm, fluffy baked potato or a roasted sweet potato with the BBQ chicken. Add a sprinkle of cheese, green onions, or a dollop of sour cream for extra indulgence.
- Vibrant Salads: Use the shredded BBQ chicken as a protein-packed topping for a fresh green salad. Pair it with corn, black beans, tomatoes, and a ranch or BBQ vinaigrette.
- Creative Tacos or Nachos: Spoon the chicken into warm tortillas for BBQ chicken tacos, or layer it over tortilla chips with melted cheese and your favorite nacho toppings for a fun appetizer or meal.
- Fantastic Side Dishes: This BBQ chicken pairs wonderfully with classic comfort food sides. Think creamy macaroni and cheese, crispy French fries, roasted vegetables, or a fresh garden salad.
Make-Ahead, Storage, and Freezing Tips
This recipe is a dream come true for meal preppers and anyone who loves having easy dinner options ready to go. Here’s how to store your delicious BBQ Crockpot Chicken:
- Refrigeration: Once cooked and cooled, store the BBQ chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It’s perfect for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week.
- Freezing: This recipe freezes exceptionally well! Divide the cooled BBQ chicken into freezer-safe bags or containers, ensuring to remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
- Thawing & Reheating: To thaw, simply transfer the frozen chicken to the refrigerator overnight. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, in the microwave, or back in the slow cooker on a warm setting until heated through. You might want to add a splash of chicken broth or extra BBQ sauce to maintain moisture.
More slow cooker meals your family will love:
If you’re a fan of the “set it and forget it” method, then you’ll absolutely love these other family-friendly slow cooker recipes. They are perfect for busy schedules and deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort:
- Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings soup is always a crowd pleaser. This classic and hearty soup recipe can be enjoyed year-round, especially on chilly or rainy days, offering ultimate comfort in a bowl.
- One of our all-time favorites is this super easy no boil crockpot macaroni and cheese. It’s rich, creamy, and requires no pre-boiling of pasta, making it incredibly simple.
- If my family had to choose a favorite, it would have to be these slow cooker barbecue country style ribs. They fall off the bone and are packed with irresistible barbecue flavor. Delicious!
- Another crock pot favorite is my To Die for Pot Roast, though my kids have always known it as “stringy roast” due to its wonderfully tender texture.
- Hearty sandwiches are always great for dinner, and these slow cooker meatball subs are perfect for taking along to football practice or any on-the-go meal.
- If sandwiches or take-along dishes are a favorite, try this easy slow cooked pulled pork on for size. It’s incredibly versatile and makes fantastic sandwiches or even tacos.
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Easy Crockpot Chicken BBQ
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 1 pack of chicken breasts 4–5 breasts (approx. 1.5-2 lbs)
- 1 bottle of prepared BBQ Sauce (18 oz or more, divided)
Instructions
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Pour about 1 cup of your favorite BBQ Sauce into the bottom of your slow cooker. This will form the base for your delicious chicken.
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Add the chicken breasts (thawed or unthawed) into the slow cooker, ensuring they are partially submerged in the sauce.
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Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on the LOW setting for 6–8 hours, or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is very tender.
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Once cooked, the chicken should be soft enough to easily shred with two forks directly in the slow cooker pot.
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Stir in another 1–2 cups of BBQ sauce (or to your desired consistency and flavor) to the freshly shredded chicken, mixing well to coat thoroughly.
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Serve your delicious BBQ Crockpot Chicken hot on rolls, in lettuce wraps, or alongside fresh summer veggies for a complete meal. Enjoy!
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.