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Slow Cooker Pulled BBQ Chicken Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.4 from 31 reviews
  • Author: Mary
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 hours
  • Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

A flavorful and easy Slow Cooker Pulled BBQ Chicken recipe featuring tender shredded chicken cooked in a smoky, tangy barbecue sauce. Perfect for sandwiches, tacos, sliders, or served over rice or salad for a delicious meal with minimal effort.


Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Sauce

  • 1 cup barbecue sauce (your favorite brand)
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Optional: red pepper flakes for heat


Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts at the bottom of your slow cooker to create the base for cooking.
  2. Mix the BBQ sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together barbecue sauce, chicken broth, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. This creates a flavorful sauce to infuse the chicken.
  3. Add sauce to slow cooker: Pour the prepared barbecue sauce mixture evenly over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker, ensuring the chicken is well coated.
  4. Cook the chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender enough to shred easily.
  5. Shred the chicken: Remove the cooked chicken breasts from the slow cooker and shred them using two forks to create pulled chicken texture.
  6. Combine shredded chicken and sauce: Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir well to coat it thoroughly with the barbecue sauce.
  7. Simmer to absorb flavors: Let the shredded chicken cook on low for an additional 10-15 minutes to soak up the sauce flavors before serving.

Notes

  • This pulled chicken is perfect for sandwiches, sliders, tacos, or served over rice or salad.
  • Use a sugar-free barbecue sauce for a lower-sugar option.