Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken
Want BBQ chicken without the hassle? This Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken is just the recipe for you! Tender pulled chicken is smothered in a tangy, sweet bbq sauce and may be served as a sandwich, sliders or in salads or bowls. It’s an easy dump and go recipe that requires just 2 ingredients!
It’s not summer without my Grilled BBQ Chicken, but this Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken is even easier! It’s ridiculously easy, and we all need recipes like that every now and then don’t we?
I love using my slow cooker, but oftentimes I’m not organized enough to utilize it. Most of the time slow cooker recipes require prepping ingredients beforehand and getting them cooking good and early to make sure the meal is ready in time for dinner.
This can be very challenging for someone who isn’t always good about following a meal plan, but this recipe cooks up fairly quickly and there are no bothersome ingredients to prep.
If you want some really quick dinner options that are also great for meal prep, be sure try my Instant Pot Shredded Chicken and Instant Pot Pulled Pork!
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Tender pulled chicken is smothered in a tangy, sweet bbq sauce for a family friendly dinner that everyone will love.
- It requires just 10 minutes of prep and 2 ingredients.
- The bbq pulled chicken recipe is a great meal prep dinner to enjoy throughout the week in sandwiches, salads, wraps, bowls and more.
- You can customize the flavor of the bbq chicken by switching up the bbq sauce.
Recipe ingredients
Two ingredients — only two! — are required for this BBQ pulled chicken.
- Chicken. Use skinless chicken breasts, either boneless or bone-in. Pro tip: Bone-in chicken is more cost effective and it adds great flavor. Just be sure to remove all bones prior to serving.
- BBQ sauce. Use homemade or your favorite store bought brand. If you’re in the mood to make your own, you can try my Homemade Bourbon BBQ Sauce, Honey Pineapple BBQ Sauce or Roasted Apple BBQ Sauce. Just make them in advance to make life easier!
How to make this recipe
This bbq pulled chicken is an easy dump and go slow cooker recipe that barely requires any effort, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights.
For this particular recipe, I purchased chicken breasts on the bone and removed the skin. Pro tip: It’s always cheaper to buy chicken this way, and the bones add more flavor. When the chicken is done, it barely requires any effort to get the bones out of the way before shredding, so it’s totally worth it.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper and place in the slow cooker. Combine the bbq sauce and water, and pour over the chicken to submerge.
- Cover and cook on high for about 3 hours or on low for 4-6 hours, or until tender and cooked through.
- Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred with two forks, discarding the bones if using bone-in chicken.
- Place the shredded chicken back in the slow cooker and stir in the sauce to coat.
FAQs
Absolutely! The bbq sauce keeps the pulled chicken super moist, so it keeps well for up to five days in the fridge.
Yes, once you’ve made the easy pulled bbq chicken, let it cool completely before sealing inside freezer bags or freezer-safe containers.
Make sure to freeze the chicken with its juices so it stays moist. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat when you’re ready to serve.
Shred chicken after cooking as it’s impossible to shred raw chicken. Cook your chicken until tender, then it will shred easily with two forks.
Chicken is more tender and juicy when it’s warm, making it much easier to shred.
Chicken breast or chicken thighs work well for pulled chicken. Boneless or bone-in in chicken will work, but be sure to remove the bones prior to shredding if using bone-in chicken.
How to serve this recipe
This bbq pulled chicken is terrific in sandwiches or sliders topped with coleslaw, atop salads, or stuffed in a sweet potato — you can make this as elaborate or un-elaborate as you like!
BBQ chicken sides
Not sure what side dishes to serve with bbq chicken? Below are some great options:
- Brown sugar and bacon baked beans by The Chunky Chef
- Coleslaw recipe
- Summer orzo salad
- Mexican corn salad
- Broccoli slaw salad
- Grilled potato salad
- Grilled sweet potato fries
Recipe notes
- Bone-in chicken breasts are more cost effective, and the bones add flavor.
- If you’re looking for homemade BBQ sauce recipes, try my Homemade Bourbon BBQ Sauce!
- Store bbq pulled chicken in the refrigerator for 3-5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
More easy slow cooker dinners:
If you make this recipe I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment and rating below, or tag me @flavorthemoments on Instagram!
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 skinless chicken breasts boneless or bone-in both work fine
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 cups barbecue sauce
- 1/2 cup water
Equipment
Instructions
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper and place in the slow cooker. Combine the bbq sauce and water, and pour over the chicken to submerge.
- Cover and cook on high for about 3 hours or on low for 4-6 hours, or until tender and cooked through.
- Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred with two forks, discarding the bones if using bone-in chicken.
- Place the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker and stir in the sauce to coat. Enjoy!
Notes
- Bone-in chicken breasts are more cost effective, and the bones add flavor.
- If you’re looking for homemade BBQ sauce recipes, try my Homemade Bourbon BBQ Sauce!
- Store bbq pulled chicken in the refrigerator for 3-5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
**This post was originally published in October 2015. The photos, recipe and text have been updated to be more informative.
31 Comments on “Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken”
I’m pretty sure my husband would be so happy if I made this for him for football watching! Although, it sounds so easy that I think I could even get him to make it! I’ve been dragging my feet with getting a slow cooker but I may just have to give in!
Oh, he could totally do this in his sleep! haha Slow cookers are truly one of the best things ever — I hope you get one, Izzy!
It doesn’t get any better than a two ingredient recipe cooked in a crock pot. Love this!!
It really doesn’t! Have a great weekend, Christin! ?
Oh, I’m totally with you – slow cooker meals are my favorite! Low and slow is the best way and only two ingredients too? Love this, Marcie! 🙂
You’re so good about utilizing your slow cooker a lot. I need to be more like you! ?
I’m always looking for new slow cooker dishes, so this looks just perfect! I make pulled pork quite frequently, but have never tried chicken before. I can’t wait to try this out!
I make pulled pork a lot too, but this pulled chicken will be happening a lot more often now! Thanks, Gayle!
Like Gayle, I have a recipe that’s similar that I use for pork…I love the idea of using chicken! This will be very popular with my son and his buddies! Thanks for sharing, Marcie! Happy Weekend!
I make pulled pork a lot — we all love it! Chicken is a nice alternative, and it takes a fraction of the time for sure. Thanks, Annie! 🙂
I am all for simple recipes like this these days! In the summer sometimes I’ll make my own sauce, but not usually in the winter. I’m too lazy (or too busy baking… Lol). This looks so juicy and perfect!
It’s funny you should say that, because I like making my own BBQ sauce in the summer, too. I was lazy this time, and Stubb’s worked out just great! 🙂
Dear Marcie, This looks mouthwatering! It is a lot healthier than your average pulled pork recipe too which I love. I have to use my slow cooker more often also. We are alike in that I’m not as organized as I would like to be when it comes to meal planning, but this is a must try and will put on my list. xo, Catherine
I love pulled pork, but this is definitely healthier and much faster! Thanks, Catherine! 🙂
Girl, I am with you! Sometimes easy-peasy, two ingredient meals are just a MUST! I love using my slow cooker in these cases, but you are right, sometimes it calls for preparation we just don’t have time for… So I am LOVING this BBQ Pulled Chicken! I am a huge Stubbs fan, when I can’t make my own! A little stubbs + Bone-in Chicken Breast+ Slow Cooker = YAAASSS! This is perfect! Cheers, to a fabulous weekend!
Stubb’s is the best for the days when I’m lazy about making my own sauce — I always have some in the pantry for emergencies! 🙂 Thanks, Cheyanne, and hope you’re having a great week! 🙂
This could NOT be easier! It would be so delicious in sandwiches…I need to make this soon!
It really couldn’t be easier than this — and it was such a hit! Thanks, Rachel! 🙂
I love bbq pulled chicken sandwiches! This is the easiest pulled chicken recipe I’ve come across – I love that it only takes two ingredients! And that chicken looks so moist and flavorful!
This really is easy, and my kids loved it! Thanks, Kristine! 🙂
You must have read my mind. Last week I made slow cooker bbq chicken for the first time and I was hooked. I was looking for ways to make it better and then you posted this. I will have to cook it on low for sure next time and add a little bit of water. Love how easy this is!
Sounds like we’re on the same wavelength. 🙂 The sauce totally started to burn and stick to the sides too much without the water. Thanks, Zainab! 🙂
Oh, I also love slow cooker meals. They are just awesome! And this slow cooker bba chicken sounds super delish. Lovely share, Marcie!
Sounds like we are definitely on the same page! 🙂
It doesn’t get easier then this! I have been using my slow cooker A LOT lately and love it! Adding this to my list!
I had two slow cookers going the other day — they’re the best!
I have had mushy chicken before and YIKES! This looks so tasty…I could go for some right now!
This is one of my go-to meals too!! It’s a favorite for sure!
It really doesn’t get any easier!
We made this in our Instant Pot a couple of nights ago. I was in a rush and did slow cook on high for 3 hrs. Should have done 4. It was a little hard to shred. So I put it on pressure cook for 5 min and it was fine. This was great! We made coleslaw and corn on the cob with it. Fabulous!
It’s so nice that you made this in the Instant Pot and could simply pressure cook the chicken for a few minutes to finish it! Thanks for the feedback and I love how you served it up!