Description
This Easy Crockpot BBQ Chicken recipe delivers tender, juicy pulled chicken infused with a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce. Perfect for sandwiches, salads, or a quick dinner, this slow cooker method ensures a hands-off, flavorful meal with minimal prep.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed of fat
Sauce & Seasoning
- 1 1/4 cup barbecue sauce (preferably Sweet Baby Ray’s Honey BBQ)
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing (fat-free recommended)
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar (can reduce to 1/8 cup or omit for less sweetness)
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Crockpot: Liberally spray the inside of a large crockpot or slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray or use a disposable liner to reduce cleanup.
- Season the Chicken: Season the trimmed chicken breasts evenly with salt, black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder, then place them at the bottom of the crockpot in a single layer.
- Make the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce, Italian dressing, light brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce until fully combined.
- Combine and Cook: Pour the prepared sauce mixture evenly over the chicken breasts. Cover the crockpot with its lid and cook on high for 2.5 to 3 hours or on low for 5 to 6 hours.
- Check Internal Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to confirm the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is fully cooked.
- Shred and Serve: Once cooked, either serve the chicken breasts whole or shred the chicken using two forks directly in the crockpot to allow it to soak up the flavorful sauce. Serve warm as desired.
Notes
- You can reduce or omit the brown sugar for a less sweet barbecue flavor.
- Use disposable crockpot liners for an easy cleanup.
- Shredding the chicken in the crockpot helps absorb more of the sauce’s flavor.
- This recipe serves 8, making it great for meal prep or a family dinner.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
