Crock Pot BBQ Chicken with Homemade BBQ Sauce is easy and luscious! Use the shredded chicken in sandwiches, nachos, wraps, and more.
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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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.
When you’re ready to rock, mix the chicken with the remaining sauce then serve on sandwiches, on top of nachos, or my husband’s #1 favorite meal, BBQ Chicken Quesadillas!
More Crock Pot Recipes You’ll Love
- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
- Crock Pot Salsa Chicken
- Crock Pot White Chicken Chili
- Crock Pot Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
- Crock Pot Mojo Pork
- Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches
- Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken breasts
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/3 cup water
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon gluten free worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or more or less
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Directions
- 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
- You can use 2 cups of your favorite BBQ sauce instead of making the homemade sauce.
- The USDA recommends thawing meat before cooking it in the crock pot.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
Kristin, I’ve been making this recipe for a couple years now. It is a go to for me and doubles well. I made it once again today, doubled it and gave half to a family who just welcome their 3rd baby. I’ve used chicken breasts and thighs and a mixture of both. Thanks for this easy delicious dish! A lot of my favorite recipes are from your site.
Oh you are too kind – I’m sure the recipients were so thankful! I’ve never tried to make this recipe with chicken thighs – GREAT idea. I know what I’m eating this weekend… :)
Delicious! I tried this out for a baby shower I am hosting next week and my family loved it! I liked the flavor and consistency of the sauce. Thanks for the great recipe.
So glad to hear it, Gilliane – thanks for the great feedback!
My mouth is watering! Yum!!
Just found this recipe and it looks fantastic – but I was wondering, I have yet to find a solid gluten free bun – any brands you prefer? I’m wondering what would hold this sauce and not just disintegrate?
Hi Kerri! I actually tried a new GF bun brand, Schar, for these photos and hated them which is why I didn’t mention anything! Grilled or toasted Udi’s is the best I’ve found so far!
Tried this tonight and it is amazing! Best BBQ sauce ever! You have turned me into a smoked paprika freak, btw. I usually make your bourbon chicken in the crock, which I still love. But adore this one!!
Isn’t it the BEST? I just roasted cauliflower with garlic salt and smoked paprika the other day and it was amaaazing. :)
We made this yesterday and ate it for dinner tonight on little potato slider buns that we toasted in a little olive oil. I love the idea of doubling this recipe and having ready dinners in the freezer. Delicious!
My 7 year old eats nothing. That same 7 year ate two of these sandwiches! 2! 2! 2! No seriously….2!
We made this recipe last night and loved it! My husband is usually skeptical about meat in the crockpot, but he was pleased with the dish and we both thought the BBQ sauce had excellent flavor. We put the meat on salads with black beans, corn, and tortilla strips (we had a lot of lettuce to use up from Costco). Can’t wait to make again and try some nachos and sandwiches! Thanks!
Made this last night and it was so good! I used less chicken, less ketchup (because I ran out), and double the Worcestershire sauce – it was so great! I have been searching for a BBQ sauce that would mimic restaurant quality pulled chicken or pork, and I think this is it! Thank you!
So glad you enjoyed, Mary, thanks for the feedback!!
These look divine and kid-friendly! I cannot wait to make this asap. Do you find your homemade BBQ sauce to be less sweet than purchased sauce? So where did you get that black umbrella? It would be perfect for my deck which is practically unusable from noon until sunset because of a direct hit from the blazing sun.
Yep, definitely less sweet than store bought, which I like! Unfortunately the umbrella was already here when we moved in so I’m not sure about the brand. I’m sorry!
I just made this yesterday and I love it! Your directions were spot on. The chicken turned out great and I loved the BBQ sauce. I have yet to find a store bought sauce that I like and this one was delicious. The best part is that it was so easy to make. I also used one of those crock pot liners for easy cleanup. I normally don’t, but just wanted to see how they worked too. So glad I found your website!
So glad to hear it not only turned out great but you liked the sauce!! Like you said, it’s hard to find a sauce you like, plus everyone like something a bit different, so I’m happy you liked it. :)
This looks so good! Gotta love easy to make recipes.
Made this for dinner tonight! It was great and super easy!!!! Thanks for posting this! Oh, and the BBQ sauce had such a nice little kick to it.
So glad to hear, Elizabeth, thanks for the feedback!