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    Home » Recipes » Crock Pot » Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

    Published: Feb 2, 2023 · Modified: Apr 4, 2023 by Tonia Larson

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    ↓ JUMP TO RECIPE ↓ JUMP TO VIDEO

    This Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken recipe is easy to make and full of flavor! We use it to make the BEST barbecue chicken sandwiches.

    Crock pot recipes are weeknight dinner heroes! We make everything from pot roast to chili and green bean casserole to applesauce in our slow cooker.

    bbq chicken in a slow cooker.

    We’ve been making this recipe for years, and it is one of my kid’s favorites. I love it because the crockpot does the work. Our favorite way to eat it is as barbecue chicken sandwiches.

    Here’s Everything You Need To Make Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

    • Ingredients Needed and Substitutions
    • How To Make Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
      • How To Shred BBQ Chicken
      • How To Use Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
    • Leftovers and Storage
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Want more crock pot recipes? Try these next:
    bbq chicken sandwich on a white plate with chips.

    Ingredients Needed and Substitutions

    There are only four ingredients needed to make slow cooker bbq chicken! Here is what we used, why we used it, and some common substitutions.

    • Chicken: This recipe calls for chicken breasts, but you can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
    • Seasoning: I like to preseason the chicken breasts before adding them to the slow cooker because it gives them a fabulous flavor boost. Even if some of the seasoning comes off while they are cooking, it still remains in the sauce! We used a savory dry rub (find my recipe here). You can also use your favorite seasoning blend (such as cajun or chipotle) or simply use salt and pepper.
    • Barbecue Sauce: You can use your favorite brand of barbecue sauce (we use Sweet Baby Rays original or sugar-free), and depending on which brand you choose, you can have sweeter or spicier chicken.
    • Soda: You’ll need eight ounces of Dr. Pepper (diet or regular). Or you can use Coke or root beer for a change in flavor.
    grabbing bbq chicken from a slow cooker with tongs.

    How To Make Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

    My favorite thing about this recipe is that it is mainly hands-off! Put everything in the crock pot, and you end up with delicious chicken at dinner time.

    • BBQ Chicken Sauce: Whisk together the barbecue sauce and soda in the slow cooker.
    • Chicken Rub: Coat the chicken with a savory dry rub and place them in the slow cooker and cover them with sauce.
    • Cook: Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours on high.
    • Shred: Remove the chicken and shred it before returning it to the sauce in the slow cooker.
    shredded meat with two forks on a cutting board.

    How To Shred BBQ Chicken

    • Two Forks: Using two forks is the most basic way to shred cooked chicken. This method is the most popular because everyone has forks available. It works best when the chicken is fork-tender.
    • Mixer: You can use a stand mixer or hand mixer to shred the chicken. Put the cooked chicken in the mixing bowl and turn the mixer on low to shred the chicken. This is a great way to quickly shred all of the chicken at once.
    • By Hand: Chicken can also be shredded by hand. Allow the chicken to cool enough to handle. Use your impeccably clean hands to pull the chicken breasts apart.

    How To Use Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

    Our favorite way to eat this chicken is in barbecue chicken sandwiches, but that isn’t the only way to eat it. Here are a few more ways to use chicken:

    • These Hawaiian Barbecue Walking Tacos are perfect for feeding a crowd!
    • We made Barbecue Chicken Pizza on tortilla crust with shredded cheese, sliced onions, and chopped cilantro.
    • This Cheesy Barbecue Dip recipe is a delicious appetizer. Serve with tortilla chips or crostini!
    • This Hawaiian Barbecue French Bread Pizza can be made in the oven or on the grill.

    Leftovers and Storage

    Allow leftover chicken to cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 3-4 months. Thaw frozen chicken overnight in the fridge and reheat it in the microwave before serving.

    a bite taken from a bbq chicken sandwich.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do you toast buns for sandwiches?

    Toasting the buns before making the pulled barbecue chicken sandwiches makes them about 900% better! Warm a skillet over medium heat. While it is warming up, cut the buns in half and spread butter on each of the cut sides. Grill the buns, butter side down, in the skillet until golden and toasted.

    What goes with barbecue chicken?

    It goes well with corn on the cob, coleslaw, potato salad, chips, hushpuppies, mashed potatoes, French fries, and mac and cheese.

    Can you use this recipe to make slow cooker bbq chicken thighs?

    Yes, you can substitute chicken thighs for the chicken breasts in this recipe. Use boneless skinless thighs for shredded bbq chicken. Or you can use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and brown the skin under the broiler when they are finished cooking.

    barbecue chicken sandwich on a plate with chips.

    Want more crock pot recipes? Try these next:

    • These tender Slow Cooker Pork Chops are cooked in a creamy sauce that can be used as gravy on mashed potatoes.
    • This Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe only has four ingredients and cooks in the crock pot for 3-4 hours on high.
    • These delicious Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches are so easy to make in a crock pot!
    • Here’s our recipe for the BEST Slow Cooker Barbecue Ribs with only three ingredients!
    bbq chicken in a slow cooker.

    Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

    This Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken recipe is easy to make and full of flavor! We use it to make the BEST barbecue chicken sandwiches.
    5 from 1 vote
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    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 3 hours hours
    Total Time: 3 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 9
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    Equipment

    7QT Slow Cooker
    Slow Cooker Liners
    BBQ Sauce

    Ingredients

    • 2.25 lbs boneless, skinless, chicken breasts
    • 2 tablespoon savory dry rub or use your favorite spice blend
    • 2 cups barbecue sauce
    • 8 oz Dr. Pepper diet or regular

    Instructions

    • Pour the barbecue sauce and Dr. Pepper into the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
      whisking bbq chicken sauce in a slow cooker.
    • Rub both sides of the chicken breasts with the savory dry rub.
      four chicken breast coated with a savory dry rub.
    • Add the seasoned chicken to the slow cooker and cover with sauce. Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours (or 4-6 hours on low) until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165ËšF.
      chicken breasts in bbq sauce in a slow cooker.
    • Shred the chicken and return it to the slow cooker. Stir to coat with the sauce. Leave the chicken in the slow cooker on high uncovered for 20-30 minutes, if time allows, stirring occasionally. This will allow some of the excess liquid to escape and let the chicken get more of the barbecue flavor.
      shredded chicken in bbq sauce in a slow cooker.

    Video

    Notes

    • Coca Cola can be used instead of Dr. Pepper if desired.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 4oz | Calories: 252kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 791mg | Potassium: 573mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 200IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: American
    Author: Tonia Larson

    More Crock Pot Recipes

    • A bowl of chicken tortellini alfredo.
      Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo Tortellini
    • Spaghetti in a crock pot.
      Crock Pot Spaghetti
    • pork chops in a crock pot.
      Crock Pot Pork Chops
    • a bowl full of crock pot chili.
      Crock Pot Chili

    About Tonia Larson

    Hi! I’m Tonia, the owner and recipe creator at The Gunny Sack, where I’ve shared easy recipes for busy people for 12+ years! My family-friendly meals, easy side dishes, and delicious desserts include mouthwatering photos, dynamic videos, and step-by-step instructions to help you cook at home.

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    Comments

    1. BP says

      March 22, 2023 at 4:03 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe was so easy to prepare! I made the savory dry rub and used it on the chicken before adding to the crock pot with the BBQ sauce and dr. pepper and it came out amazing! I will be making this often!

      Reply
    2. Amber says

      June 20, 2016 at 10:28 am

      Does it have to be diet soda?

      Reply
      • Tonia says

        June 20, 2016 at 10:30 am

        No, it can be regular soda! Best of luck! ~Tonia

        Reply
    3. Pestroyer says

      June 6, 2016 at 9:40 pm

      Can I add potatoes and onions to this?

      Reply
    4. Amanda says

      February 21, 2015 at 3:36 pm

      I can’t wait to try this! I have had the same shredding problem with my mixer. I found using the dough hook works really well for a larger shred. Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
    5. Charissa says

      October 10, 2014 at 3:58 pm

      How many people does this serve and how much chicken? And how much barbecue sauce?

      Reply
      • Tonia says

        October 10, 2014 at 10:22 pm

        Hi Charissa,
        I’m not sure how many it serves. But it uses about 2 lbs of chicken and about 2 1/2 cups of barbecue sauce. I’ve updated the blog post. This recipe is easily adaptable for however many servings you need. Happy Cooking!
        ~Tonia

        Reply
        • Charissa says

          October 14, 2014 at 9:37 am

          Thank you! Thank you for making such a simple recipe for a beginner cook like me! =)

          Reply
        • Charissa says

          October 20, 2014 at 10:48 am

          Okay. If I were to half this recipe and use chicken breasts instead, how many breasts would I use? Sorry, beginner chef here!

          Reply
          • Tonia says

            October 20, 2014 at 11:02 am

            I’m happy you are asking! Try using 2 frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound), 1 cup of bbq sauce and 1/2 can of pop. You can always add more bbq sauce when you want (before, during and after cooking). Also, might take less time to cook since there is less chicken in the crockpot, about 3-4 hours on high or 6-7 hours on low. Good luck! ~Tonia

            Reply
            • Charissa says

              October 21, 2014 at 7:29 am

              Thank you so much! Big help! =)

    6. Debra Kapellakis says

      May 12, 2012 at 3:41 pm

      Something so simple but so delicious, amazing.

      Reply
    7. Ginger says

      May 10, 2012 at 8:45 pm

      That looks soooo yummy! 🙂

      Reply
    8. Four Marrs and One Venus says

      May 10, 2012 at 7:05 pm

      This.Is.Perfect! Thank you for sharing- getting it on the menu next week!! Love my Crocker!

      Reply
    9. Meg {henninglove} says

      May 10, 2012 at 5:59 pm

      oh one of my favorite go to meals when i can’t think of anything else to make! love the cooking is done all day when i am at work. what a timesaver!! i will have to try diet dr. pepper in mine next time

      Reply
    10. Jennifer @ Delightfully Noted says

      May 10, 2012 at 5:39 pm

      Oh your making me hungry Tonia! Looks yummy and I like the simplicity of the recipe. Hope the garage sale is going well!

      Reply
    11. Evelyn says

      May 10, 2012 at 5:18 pm

      How easy is this, I love the pork with Dr Pepper but never thought about using chicken. Just hopping over from the May Day Hop and still love following you. I would love to invite you to visit my blog, and link this yummy post to my brand new hop starting today:)

      Reply
    12. Jane Craske says

      May 10, 2012 at 2:52 pm

      Looks fantastic! Isn’t it great to have dinner after a freakishly busy day?

      Reply
    13. Anne @ Domesblissity says

      May 10, 2012 at 12:28 pm

      Yummo Tonia. You were doing okay until I read those dreaded words, Dr Pepper and then I read on and was pleased you followed it up with Diet Coke! LOL I’ll give it a try. I used to do something similar years ago with Coke and then cream added. Sounds bizarre but it was actually quite tasty.Anne xx

      Reply
    14. Lindsay says

      May 10, 2012 at 11:12 am

      OH, this looks delicious! I love using my slow cooker! Thanks for recipe!

      Reply

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    Tonia Larson and Brian LarsonHi, We are Brian and Tonia Larson! We hope you enjoy our family-friendly meals, easy side dishes, and tasty desserts!
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