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.
Pro tip: Use skin on, bone in chicken breasts and remove the skin. The bones add flavor and they’re much more affordable than boneless skinless chicken breasts.
See the recipe card below for full 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 in the slow cooker and stir in the sauce to coat.
Recipe 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.
Serving suggestions
This bbq pulled chicken is terrific served so many ways.
- Serve as sandwiches or sliders topped with classic coleslaw or vegan curry coleslaw.
- It’s great atop salads such as chicken Cobb salad or Mexican corn salad.
- It makes a great filling for baked sweet potatoes or air fryer baked potatoes.
- Serve as-is alongside grilled corn on the cob or brown sugar and bacon baked beans by The Chunky Chef
Recipe notes
- Pro tip: Use skin on, bone in chicken breasts and remove the skin. The bones add flavor and they’re much more affordable than boneless skinless chicken breasts.
- 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:
Did you try this recipe? If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken
Equipment
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
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”
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!
This is one of my go-to meals too!! It’s a favorite for sure!
It really doesn’t get any easier!