Just 2 ingredients go into 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.
Would you like to save this recipe?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
There is no prep involved with this BBQ Chicken in the slow cooker - everything just goes into 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 also a healthier barbecue sauce too!
It's a little bit sweet, but super juicy and tender. This BBQ pulled chicken practically melts in your mouth. It might just be the easiest slow cooker chicken you will ever make and perfect all year round. This is a real family favourite and it freezes well too, making slow cooker bbq pulled chicken perfect for batch cooking.
If you're looking for more easy slow cooker recipes, why not try our delicious Slow Cooker Beef Brisket, versatile Slow Cooker Pulled Beef or our comforting Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese?
Jump to:
Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Chicken breasts - We used boneless skinless chicken breasts to make slow cooker BBQ chicken. You could use boneless and skinless chicken thighs, as they are juicer and give more flavour, but they aren't as lean.
- Homemade BBQ Sauce - Or your favourite store bought one for convenience.
More ingredient substitutions and variations can be found in the recipe card.
How to Make Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Breasts
- Step 1: Put the chicken breasts in the slow cooker dish.
- Step 2: 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.
- Step 3: Using two forks, shred the chicken and stir it all together.
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.
You can change it up by adding some brown sugar or pineapple juice to make this slow cooked BBQ chicken extra sweet, or adding some hot sauce for a kick of heat.
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.
Dannii's Top 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 into 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 into 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 refrigerator in an airtight container 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 or in the microwave 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 into 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 slow cooker BBQ 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
Would you like to save this recipe?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
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.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Mary Bostow says
Oh God, what a tasty looking this Slow Cooked BBQ Chicken! I am in love with the colors and how simple and short the ingredient list is.Yum!
Shaun - trying out healthy eating! says
Honestly, this REALLY appeals to me. I'm so much a simple recipe person. Can't be doing with "must ensure a hundred different colours" and recipes with a million different ingredients. I'm trying to keep it super healthy, and trying to expand my recipe repertoire, but simple always works for me.. I love this recipe, and yes it is just so simple isnt it.
Thanks
Shaun
Sonia says
I love making sauces at home and your sounds simply delicious!! Can't wait to give it a try!!
Natalie says
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 says
Wow! Your blue plate is absolutely gorgeous - wherever did you find such a beautiful plate?
Caroline says
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.
Jen says
Super easy recipe- I can handle this. Perfect for a busy week.
Lauren Vavala @ DeliciousLittleBites says
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 says
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 says
What a wonderful dinner idea! Love that this is made so easily in the slow cooker! Can't wait to give it a try!
Annissa says
Love how this is easy to make and it looks so tasty! Awesome!
Adrianne says
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 says
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.
Lucy @ BakingQueen74 says
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 says
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. :)