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Slow cooker BBQ chicken in a black slow cooker bowl.
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5 from 16 votes

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

Just chicken breast and BBQ sauce are needed to make this easy Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken. Tender, high-protein shredded chicken that's perfect for family dinners, sandwiches, rice bowls, tacos and meal prep.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time4 hours
Total Time4 hours 5 minutes
Diet: Gluten Free, High Protein, Low Fat
Allergen: Sulphites
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 248kcal
Author: Dannii Martin

Equipment

  • Slow cooker or Crock Pot

Ingredients

UK Metric Measures - US Customary Measures

Instructions

  • Add the chicken: Put 600 g of Chicken breast into the slow cooker
    Try to arrange the chicken in an even layer rather than piling all the pieces on top of each other.
  • Add the sauce: Pour 300 ml of Homemade BBQ Sauce over the chicken and turn the breasts so they are well coated.
    There is no need to add stock or water. The chicken will release liquid as it cooks.
  • Cook: Put the lid on the slow cooker and cook until the chicken is completely cooked through and tender enough to pull apart easily with two forks.
    Our current cooking time is 2-3 hours on HIGH or 5-6 hours on LOW, although all slow cookers cook slightly differently, so check the chicken rather than relying on the clock alone.
  • Shred: Shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker using two forks, then stir it through the BBQ sauce until every piece is coated.
  • Check: Taste and add a little extra BBQ sauce if you want an even stronger barbecue flavour.

Notes

  • Use a thick BBQ sauce rather than a very watery one, as the chicken releases liquid during cooking.
  • Avoid unnecessarily opening the slow cooker while the chicken cooks.
  • Don't overcook chicken breast. Remove or shred it once it is tender and cooked through.
  • Chicken thighs can be used if you prefer darker, juicier meat.
  • Add sliced or diced onion underneath the chicken for extra flavour.
  • Add chipotle paste if you like your pulled BBQ chicken smoky and spicy.
  • You don't have to shred the chicken finely. Leave it in larger chunks if you prefer more texture.
  • Make a double batch if your slow cooker is large enough and freeze portions for another dinner.
  • Shop-bought BBQ sauce makes this incredibly quick, but homemade sauce lets you adjust the sweetness, smokiness and seasoning.
  • Think beyond sandwiches: this chicken is ideal for rice bowls, tacos, wraps, salads and meal prep too.

Nutrition

Serving: 1portion | Calories: 248kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 96mg | Sodium: 234mg | Potassium: 555mg | Fibre: 4g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 45IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg

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