Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken is incredibly flavorful and guaranteed to be a family favorite! This shredded chicken recipe is chicken breasts simmered in the Crockpot with a tasty homemade BBQ sauce until tender. Shred the chicken, then serve it piled on toasted buns with coleslaw, over a salad, stuffed in a baked potato or in a lettuce wrap. The options are endless!

Today, I’m bringing you one of my favorite easy meals for anytime you’re serving a crowd: slow cooker bbq chicken! Throw some chicken breasts and bbq sauce into a Crockpot and then forget about it until you’re ready to serve. It’s protein-packed, made with my favorite sweet, smoky, tangy homemade sauce and even perfect for weeknight dinners. The best part about this pulled chicken isn’t just that it’s easy, it’s also that you can keep it warm in the slow cooker until it’s ready to be served. It also can be eaten in so many different ways, from sandwiches to stuffed potatoes!

Ingredients needed

The ingredient list is short and sweet! You’re going to need about 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breast or use boneless, skinless chicken thighs, if you prefer. And you can use any kind of BBQ sauce you like. I highly recommend my homemade BBQ sauce that’s really easy to make, is healthier and has the best flavor!

How to make this recipe

This recipe is so easy! Below, you’ll find a rundown of the basic instructions and then you can find the full, printable recipe at the bottom of the page.

Slow cook chicken. Place the chicken breasts on a single layer in the bottom of your Crockpot. Pour the BBQ sauce over the chicken and make sure it is fully coated. Set the heat to high and cook for 3.5 hours.
Shred the chicken. Carefully, remove the chicken breasts and shred apart using two forks.
Continue cooking. Place the chicken back into the Crockpot and cook for another 30 minutes.
Serve. Prepare your slow cooker BBQ chicken any favorite way and enjoy!

Ways to serve shredded BBQ chicken

There are so many ways to make this shredded chicken recipe into a meal! Here are some of my family’s favorites:

Sandwiches. Add a generous scoop of coleslaw right on top of the BBQ chicken, top with a toasted whole wheat bun, and dig in!
Main course. Serve the chicken with a variety of sides, like mashed potatoes, potato salad, deviled eggs, beans, or whatever other sides you have available.
Stuffed potatoes. Roast up some russet potatoes or sweet potatoes and stuff them with the shredded chicken. You can add shredded cheese or whatever other toppings you like.
Salad. For a lighter meal option, make a BBQ chicken salad. I like to use romaine lettuce and add corn and black beans.
Nachos. Use leftover chicken to make BBQ chicken nachos along with cheese and other toppings.
Pizza. Make your own pizza with leftover BBQ chicken, extra BBQ sauce, shredded cheese, and other toppings.

Tips for recipe success

Even though this slow cooker BBQ chicken recipe is really quite simple, here are a few tips for best results.

For super quick shredded chicken, add the chicken to a large bowl and use an electric mixer to shred it.
This pulled chicken recipe feeds about 8 adults. If you don’t need that much chicken, you can easily cut this recipe in half.
Slow cooker BBQ chicken is perfect for meal prep ahead of time! I love having it on hand in the fridge because it’s so versatile and makes weeknight meals a cinch.
If you are looking for a good crockpot, I love mine. It’s the 6-quart Hamilton Beach Stay-or-Go Crockpot. It has clips to hold the lid on, so if I want to bring it along to a friend’s house or a potluck, it’s easy to travel with.
If you prefer to cook the chicken on low, simply set your slow cooker on low heat and cook for 6 to 7 hours.

Storage recommendations

Storage. Any leftover BBQ chicken can be stored in an airtight container or bag and kept in the refrigerator for up to about 4 to 5 days.
Freezing. Allow the chicken to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer bag or container. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating. To reheat the leftover chicken, you can place it in the slow cooker and place it on “warm” to warm it back up. Alternatively, you can simply reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop.

More slow cooker recipes

Looking for more ways to use your Crockpot? Try these other family favs:

Thanks so much for reading! If you make this recipe I would love for you to give it a ★ rating below. And be sure to follow me on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook for more healthy food inspiration. Cheers!

Shredded BBQ chicken and coleslaw on a bun.

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4.84 from 12 votes