Photo of Gluten-Free Crock Pot BBQ Chicken with Homemade BBQ Sauce

Can we talk about the easiest crock pot recipe there ever was? Crock Pot BBQ Chicken with Homemade BBQ Sauce is where it’s at!

Chicken breasts are placed into a crock pot, drizzled with an easy homemade BBQ sauce then…slow cooked. Bet you didn’t see that coming. ;) Shred said cooked chicken then use in everything from sandwiches, like I’m showing here, to nachos, wraps, quesadillas, or salads.

Photo of BBQ Chicken sandwich on plate

I get asked about summer crock pot recipes all the time, and this recipe definitely fits the bill. What’s more summery than BBQ Chicken made in a crock pot so there’s no heating up your kitchen or grill? Plus, by letting the crock pot do the work for you, you’ll have more time to spend outdoors.

The homemade BBQ sauce the chicken cooks in is totally easy, too. It’s a bit tangy, spicy, and not too sweet but if you’re just not feeling up to the task you could use your favorite bottled ‘Q too. Whatever gets you eating faster!

Photo of Crock Pot of shredded BBQ Chicken

Can I Use Frozen Chicken Breasts in the Crock Pot?

The USDA advises that you DO NOT cook chicken breasts from frozen in the crock pot, which is a guideline that I follow. That said, make sure your chicken breasts are fully thawed if frozen prior to making this recipe.

Alrighty – let’s (slow) cook!

Closeup photo of crock pot bbq chicken sandwich

How to Make This Recipe

Start by mixing up that BBQ sauce made with 100% fridge and pantry staples (thanks, well-stocked kitchen!) The ingredient list might look long but I bet you have all of the ingredients, including ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, spices, and vinegar already on hand. You could absolutely make this a few days ahead of time too!

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Place 2lbs chicken breasts into the bottom of a 6-quart crock pot then pour 1-1/4 cups of the sauce on top, lifting each chicken breast to make sure some of the sauce gets underneath.

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Pop a lid on top of the crock pot then cook on low for four hours or until the chicken easily shreds with a fork. Totally succulent! Shred the chicken then slide it back into the cooking juices to cook for 30 more minutes on low.

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When you’re ready to rock, mix the chicken with the remaining sauce then serve on sandwiches, on top of nachos, or in Ben’s #1 favorite meal, BBQ Chicken Quesadillas!

Slow cooker bbq shredded chicken sandwich with pickles

Similar Recipes

Crock Pot BBQ Chicken with Homemade BBQ Sauce

5/5 (3 REVIEWS)

Description

Crock Pot BBQ Chicken with Homemade BBQ Sauce is easy and luscious. Use the shredded chicken in sandwiches, nachos, wraps, and more!

Ingredients

serves 4

  • 2lbs chicken breasts
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon (or more or less,) cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Directions

  1. Place chicken in the bottom of a 6-quart crock pot. Whisk together remaining ingredients in a large bowl then reserve 3/4 cup and pour the rest over the chicken. Lift each chicken breast to make sure some of the sauce has gotten underneath then place a lid on top and cook on low for 4 hours or until the chicken shreds easily with a fork. Shred chicken then return to the crock pot and cook on low for 30 minutes. Transfer shredded chicken to a separate container then mix with reserved BBQ sauce and serve.

Notes

  • Here is the crock pot I have >
  • You could use 2 cups of your favorite BBQ sauce instead of the homemade sauce.
  • The USDA recommends thawing meat before cooking it in the crock pot.

This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.

Photo collage of crock pot bbq chicken