Just 2 ingredients go in to making this Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken. It is simply made from chicken breasts and an easy homemade BBQ sauce and then slow cooked until the chicken falls apart. Pulled BBQ Chicken is so simple to make and well worth the wait for the slow cooker. Serve in tacos, in a bun with slaw or on rice.

There is no prep involved with this BBQ Chicken – everything just goes in to the slow cooker, is stirred and then you just have to patiently wait until it is ready. That’s the hard part.
You could make this even easier and make it with store bought BBQ sauce, but the homemade sauce is really worth the effort and gives this slow cooker shredded chicken extra flavour.
It’s a little bit sweet, but super juicy and tender. This chicken practically BBQ chicken melts in your mouth. It might just be the easiest slow cooker chicken you will ever make and perfect all year round.
If you're looking for more easy slow cooker recipes, why not try our Slow Cooker Beef Brisket, Slow Cooker Pulled Beef or Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese?
Jump to:
Why you will love it
- Just 2 ingredients - No fancy ingredients for BBQ chicken in slow cooker. Just chicken and BBQ sauce.
- A super easy chicken recipe - This slow cooker pulled chicken is really low effort. No browning the chicken, just put it in the slow cooker and leave.
- The whole family will love it - This is suitable for the whole family.
- It freezes well - Make a big batch of this slow cooker BBQ chicken and then freeze it in portions for easy meals.
- Lots of ways to use leftovers - This is so versatile and we have shared our favourite ways to us it.
Ingredients needed
- 4 medium chicken breasts - About 150g/5.25oz each
- 300ml homemade healthy bbq sauce - Or your favourite store bought one for convenience.
A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
How to make BBQ shredded chicken - Step by step
One: Put the chicken breasts in the slow cooker dish.
Two: Pour the BBQ sauce on top of the chicken breasts and mix. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 7-8 hours.
Three: Using two forks, shred the chicken and mix it all together.
Is this healthy?
This is a pretty healthy and balanced meal. It is low in fat and high in protein and making your own BBQ sauce means it is lower in sugar and salt too. This is also protein packed too.
We haven’t used any salt in our healthy BBQ sauce recipe, so it’s a good sauce alternative to give kids. We went through a stage with our toddler when she wanted sauce on all her meals and this made me feel much less guilty about it.
What makes this recipe so special is the homemade BBQ sauce, which is a little bit healthy than the kind you can buy. If you want to make this a really easy meal, then feel free to use store bought BBQ sauce, but you can really taste the difference in a homemade batch.
It’s actually far easier than you probably think to make your own BBQ sauce. You just mix together passata, paprika, garlic, maple syrup and vinegar and season and then let it bubble away in the slow cooker.
What to serve with slow cooker BBQ chicken
This is perfect served in tacos with all the usual fixings. Some crispy shredded lettuce and cheese is a must and then we like to add some Guacamole and Mexican Coleslaw on the side too. What some homemade salsa and tortilla chips on the side? Why not try our Restaurant Style Salsa.
You can also serve it on rice or a baked potato, or in a bun with slaw for a BBQ chicken sandwich.
FAQs
This recipe makes four portions - which is about 150-200g (5-7oz) per person.
This is a great batch cook meal and it freezes really well too. It will keep in the fridge for 3 days and then you can add it to salads and wraps throughout the week, or you can portion it out and freeze leftovers and they will keep for up to 2 months. Make sure it is thoroughly defrosted and then heat in a pan with a little oil until hot.
There are lots of leftovers when we make this slow cooker pulled chicken, as there are so many ways to use it. We like to put some in a big soft roll with some coleslaw, put it on a salad, use it as a nacho topping, put it on a pizza or baked potato or turn it in to quesadillas. We also like it cold with a potato salad for an easy lunch. Leftovers go well on a BBQ Chicken Pizza or BBQ Chicken Salad too.
More slow cooker chicken recipes
If you’ve tried this easy pulled chicken recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
Ingredients
- 600 g (1.33 lb) Chicken breast
- 300 ml (1.25 cups) Homemade BBQ Sauce
Instructions
- Put the chicken breasts in the slow cooker dish.
- Pour the BBQ sauce on top of the chicken breasts and mix.
- Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 7-8 hours.
- Using two forks, shred the chicken and mix it all together.
Recipe tips
- Add some extra flavour and texture to the slow cooker pulled chicken by putting some diced onion at the bottom of the slow cooker before you put the chicken breasts in.
- We have shredded the chicken, but you could always take the chicken breasts out and chop them and then add them back in to the bowl with the BBQ sauce.
- Serve the shredded chicken on rice, or use it as the filling for burritos and tacos. You could even put it on a pizza or salad.
- This BBQ chicken freezes well if you have some leftovers. Just pop it in a container and it will keep in the freezer for up to a month.
- You can save yourself time by using store bought BBQ sauce. If you use ready made sauce a little paprika, garlic and onion powder to it to jazz it up a little.
- You don’t have to shred the chicken, you could chop it in to chunks or serve the breasts whole if not using in tacos. But being cooked on high for 4 hours will mean that the chicken starts to fall apart.
- We like to make this a little bit spicy and add some chipotle paste to the BBQ sauce.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
Natalie
That sauce looks absolutely delicious. I love that is healthier than store-bought. This is definitely dinner for me and my family. I love everything easy lately.
Shivani Raja
Wow! Your blue plate is absolutely gorgeous - wherever did you find such a beautiful plate?
Caroline
Looks so comforting, and love how easy it is. I agree I find store bought sauce too sweet so a healthier homamade version is always my preference.
Lisa | Garlic & Zest
This is the time of year when I love to break out the crockpot and this barbecued chicken sounds like a great meal for our game day spread on Sunday. The family will love this!
Jen
Super easy recipe- I can handle this. Perfect for a busy week.
Lauren Vavala @ DeliciousLittleBites
I love the idea of using this slow cooked bbq chicken in tacos and burritos! I haven't broken out my slow cooker yet, but it's definitely time!
Kelly Anthony
I also agree that store bought BBQ sauce is too sweet and not spicy enough. This is the perfect weeknight meal for a family!
kim
What a wonderful dinner idea! Love that this is made so easily in the slow cooker! Can't wait to give it a try!
Claudia Lamascolo
we love chicken barbecued on the grill so I know they will love this easier way to serve it looks great and easy
Annissa
Love how this is easy to make and it looks so tasty! Awesome shots!
Adrianne
I agree about the store bought sauce and high level of sugar! The recipe looks like it has great flavour, will try it this weekend!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
I love that you only need two ingredients for this and you can leave it to cook away in the slow cooker. BBQ chicken is one of our favourite family dinners so I might have to give this a try.
Jo of Jo's Kitchen
Yummy! I must try this!
Lucy @ BakingQueen74
This sounds lovely, as a big fan of the slow cooker too I will be trying this very soon. Nice to find a healthy bbq sauce recipe too!
Jenny
This looks amazing! I love your blog and the journey you've been through! It's truly inspiring. I'm getting into cooking and I think it's incredible how you lived off takeaways, microwave and oven cooked foods before becoming the incredible cook you are. :)
Anita-Clare Field
Huzzah for a savoury recipe, Anything with the words, slow cooked and BBQ in it has my vote. It looks delicious !
Sally - My Custard Pie
I love my slow cooker too. Haven't done anything BBQ style though so inspired.
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours
I nearly always fry off and do some pre cooking with the slow cooked. Love the chuck it all in approach.
Tammy
Let's hear it for that homemade bbq sauce! Yes, I totally agree that should go on everything :D
This looks really good ^_^
mira
I can only imagine how great it tastes! So easy to make and looks delicious!