This Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it meal! The chicken turns out tender, juicy, and smothered in a smoky, sweet BBQ sauce, perfect for piling onto sandwiches, stuffing into tacos, or serving over rice. With just 5 minutes of prep, your slow cooker does all the work—because easy dinners are the best kind of dinners!
Contents
show
👉 Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for extra juiciness)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (adds a smoky depth)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
For the BBQ Sauce:
- 1 ½ cups BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar (adds a tangy kick)
- ¼ cup brown sugar (for a touch of sweetness)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional, but adds great depth)
- ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional, for a little heat)
👉 Directions
Step 1: Season the Chicken & Add to Slow Cooker
- Season the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and onion powder.
- Place the chicken in the slow cooker.
Step 2: Mix the BBQ Sauce
- In a bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and chili powder.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken, making sure it’s coated evenly.
Step 3: Slow Cook
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily shreds.
Step 4: Shred & Serve
- Shred the chicken using two forks, then stir it back into the sauce.
- Serve on buns, in tacos, over rice, or alongside coleslaw!
⭐ What Sides Go Well with This Dish?
- Coleslaw – The crunchy, creamy contrast is perfect on a sandwich.
- Cornbread – Sweet and buttery, it’s the perfect BBQ side.
- Potato Salad – A classic, creamy complement to BBQ flavors.
- Baked Beans – Smoky and rich, they pair beautifully with pulled BBQ chicken.
🔄 Time-Saving Tips
- Skip the seasoning step and just dump everything into the slow cooker for an ultra-fast prep.
- Use pre-shredded rotisserie chicken and mix it with the warmed BBQ sauce for a 30-minute version.
- Make a double batch and freeze leftovers for an easy future meal!
🧒 Kid-Friendly Tweaks
- Use a mild, sweet BBQ sauce (like honey BBQ) to make it more kid-friendly.
- Serve with buttered dinner rolls for little hands to enjoy.
- Add a little extra brown sugar for a sweeter, less tangy flavor.
🔄 Ingredient Swaps
- No apple cider vinegar? Use white vinegar or lemon juice.
- No Worcestershire sauce? Try soy sauce for a similar umami boost.
- No brown sugar? Maple syrup or honey works great!
This Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken is a lifesaver for busy nights—it’s easy, hands-off, and packed with flavor! Whether you’re making sliders for game day, prepping a weeknight dinner, or just craving some good BBQ, this recipe delivers. Try it out and let me know how you serve it! 🍗🔥🥪
