Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Recipe
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This crockpot pulled chicken is so easy to make – everything just goes into the slow cooker without any special prep. It’s fall-apart tender, juicy and delicious. We put it on rolls with our coconut coleslaw and crisp dill pickle chips.
It was sweet, salty, savory and so satisfying. I invited my family over for crockpot bbq chicken sliders and everyone loved them. My son even asked for refills on the chicken (which is a big deal). l’m pretty sure all of the adults had seconds. Great reviews all around on this one! If the picture above hasn’t convinced you yet, the next one will!
This is a great way to make meat for company or your family when you don’t have time to stand over the stove. You can throw everything in your slow cooker before church and it’s ready when you come home. Such a treat! PS. the coleslaw can be made when you start the chicken – just refrigerate it until ready to serve..
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken:
3 lbs (about 5-6 count) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed of fat
1 1/2 cups BBQ Sauce (Try Homemade BBQ Sauce or Sweet Baby Rays Honey BBQ)
1/2 medium onion, grated (with juice)
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp worchestershire sauce
2 Tbsp brown sugar
How to Make Crockpot BBQ Chicken:
1. Stir together all sauce ingredients in a 5-6 qt slow cooker.
2. Add chicken and turn to coat. Cover and cook on high 3 to 4 hours or on low for 6 – 7 hours. Chicken is done when cooked through and easy to shred
3. Remove chicken to a cutting board and shred each breast using two forks. Place shredded chicken back in the crock pot and stir to coat with the yummy sauce
↑↑↑ Wishing I had leftovers…
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 lbs chicken breasts, (boneless, skinless), about 5-6 count
- 1 1/2 cups BBQ Sauce, I used Sweet Baby Rays Honey BBQ
- 1/2 medium onion, grated (with juice)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
Instructions
- Stir together all sauce ingredients in a 5-6 qt slow cooker.
- Add chicken and turn to coat. Cover and cook on high 3 to 4 hours or on low for 6-7 hours. Chicken is done when cooked through and easy to shred.
- Remove chicken to a cutting board and shred each breast using two forks. Place shredded chicken back in the crock pot and stir to coat with the yummy sauce.
Nutrition Per Serving
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
Serve in buns with the best coconut coleslaw and dill pickle chips. Yum!!
Natasha Kravchuk
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
Love this recipe! The BBQ chicken as a sandwich with the slaw is soooo good! I’ve made it a lot and for a crowd. I make extra forever leftovers. This one is a keeper! Thanks!
Glad that you loved our recipe, Christine!
I made this recipe and doubled every ingredient including chicken and it came out way too sweet for my liking. Is there anything I can do to tone down the sweetness or make it less sweet so I don’t have to give it away or throw it away? Thank you so much!!
You may try to reduce the sugar next time if you double it next time. Test it out first before adding more. For now, maybe try adding a liltle more broth?
Worcestershire sauce gives my husband heartburn so what can I use in place of i
Hi Terri! You can just leave it out or check out this list for Best Worcestershire sauce substitutes.
I made this and it was really delicious. I only had a red onion so used that and didn’t even bother to grate it…just sliced it and threw it in. Hubby ate most of it just standing over the bowl with a fork, he loved it so much!
Sounds great! I’m so happy to hear that you both enjoyed it!
Can this be made in a instapot? And what cooking instructions would you recommend?
Hi Katie! I’m sure it can be but I haven’t tested it to provide instructions. Let us know if you experiment with it.
I’ve made bbq chicken in a crockpot many times but listen to me when I say THIS is THE one to make. It’s insanity. Lunacy! Just SO tender and bursting with flavor.
Thank you for the wonderful feedback, Betsy! I’m so glad you loved it.
I made this. Oh my goodness y’all. This is so delicious. I’ve been looking for a good slow cooker bbq chicken recipe and this is it. Finally. Natasha’s recipes have never let me down. Everything I have tried making has been so amazingly delicious. Thank you so much Natasha for sharing all of your wonderful recipe’s.
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Sharon!
How much does this recipe serve. Just wondering as having 10 people for a b cue and need to know how many chicken breasts to make,thx
Hi Pat! I have the number of servings listed at the top of the recipe card. It serves 8 when used for sandwiches. I hope that helps. You can also increase/decrease the number of servings in the recipe card and it will convert the recipe for you.
Wow the flavors are intense!!! I’m so impressed by such a simple recipe, yet FULL OF FLAVOR!!!! I’m going to make this a million times over.
Aaw, thank you for the wonderful comments, Marina!
Tastes amazing and so EASY!! I followed the recipe exactly & just a handful of ingredients & a slow cooker made me look like a pro! I served it with coleslaw on kings Hawaiian rolls; accompanied by corn on the cob! It was my contribution to Fourth of July dinner, and it went fast! Thanks xx
Sounds amazing! Thank you for sharing.
Hello Natasha. I am super excited to make this recipe for a beach party I am throwing for my husband’s birthday. However, I am going to need to make it the day before. How long do you recommend reheating in the crockpot on low before serving…..I’m just trying to avoid drying it out and have read your multiple posts about it being best to make the morning of. Thanks for any advice.
It’s best made the morning of, but you can make it a day ahead and refrigerate then reheat the next day adding a splash of water if needed. It will reheat well since it’s a moist chicken.
Can this be made in an instapot? What would the time accommodations be if it can be?
Hi Christine, I haven’t tested that, I think that would be a great experiment, but I really can’t provide specific instructions without testing it. I love my instant pot, but things don’t always translate how I hope they would go in the instant pot. I will add it to my list, but let me know how it goes if you experiment before I do.
I am trying it in my crockpot quickpot. I t has an option for slow cook. I will cook it for 3 hours. I will let you know.
Made this for a family gathering today. Was a big hit. Needed to accommodate gluten intolerance and this fit the bill. Also made the coconut milk coleslaw and it was delicious. Used lime juice in that.
Hi Kathryn! I’m so happy to hear it was a hit! Thank you for sharing.
This recipe is awesome! Easy to prepare. Great for large crowds!
It really is the best for a crowd! I’m so glad it was a hit, Janet!
This was so delicious! It was so easy to prepare too.
I used the barbecue pulled chicken and made chicken quesadillas. So tasty!
The only variation I made to the recipe is using a bbq sauce without sugar.
Hi Terry! That’s wonderful. I’m so glad you loved the recipe. Thank you for your feedback,
Want to make this recipe but do not want to put the bbq sauce on the chicken (individual preference for those who don’t want it.) What would I substitute for the liquid to replace the bbq sauce?
Hi Trish, I haven’t tried any substitution to advise. If you try it as an experiment, we’d love to know how it turned out.
We have used Italian dressing and then had bbq sauce on the side and it works great!
Great pulled chicken. The best I’ve had yet. The family loved it. Definitely a family favorite.Thanks for sharing
It’s my pleasure, Dave! Happy to know that this is the best that you;ve tried. Thank you for sharing!
I made the BBQ chicken and the creamy coconut coleslaw and it is so yummy!! i do love trying your recipes Natasha Kitchen!!
I’m so happy to know that you’re enjoying them, Laurie!
If I substitute the onions with onion powder, how much onion powder should I use?
I found this online: Use 1 tablespoon of onion powder or 3 tablespoons of dried onion flakes as a substitute for a medium-sized onion.
LOVED this recipe, tasty and so easy! I didn’t add the extra brown sugar, the BBQ sauce was sweet enough. Served it with coleslaw on a whole wheat bun.
Thank you for sharing, Margaret. I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe.
The recipe was very good as presented; good flavor and very moist. I’m not sure why people attempt to rate a recipe when they substitute other ingredients.
Hi Gary! Thank you, I’m glad you liked the recipe. I appreciate the feedback.
Have you tried this with leftover pulled chicken? In theory it should work but I don’t want to dry out already cooked chicken. If so, how long do you suggest cooking it to reconstitute moisture back into the chicken so it’s tender and juicy?
Hi Carma! No, I have not tested this with cooked chicken and worry that it may become too dry. We have reheated leftovers with a splash of water to help moisten the chicken again. If you experiment with cooked chicken, let us know how it turns out.
Inside info from a local: Worcester not “Worchester”, pronounced “wusta” if you are from Worcester, MA, even better: ” wista” if you are from small towns outside the city. MA and RI have several distinct quasi dialects, and no one sounds like the Kennedy’s. Great dish. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Hi Julie! Thank you for sharing. I’m glad you loved the dish. 🙂
Love all your recipes but as with any meat, especially a pulled sort of thing a 1/2 to cup of stock is key to keeping moist and delish. I also added garlic because we are Ukrainian and can’t help ourselves lol
Thank you for sharing, Sara! 🙂
Can the chicken breasts be frozen or do they need to be thawed ?
Hi Amber. You’d have to experiment with it. I worry that frozen chicken would water it down.
If I wanted to cut the recipe in half (3 chicken breasts), should I cut the remaining Ingredients in half as well? Thank you!
Hi Ben, cutting it in half should work, yes you will need to adjust the other ingredients. I recommend clicking “Jump to recipe” at the top of the post, it will take you to our printable recipe where you’ll have the option to change the number of servings. Hover over the number of servings highlighted in red and slide it to how many servings you would like to make. I hope that helps!
I have made this recipe several times for my picky family. They love it and can’t believe it’s not pork. I use Tamari sauce instead of the worcestershire sauce and honey instead of the brown sugar. I also add some salt for a greater depth of taste. I have shared this recipe with many people.
Hi Lori! I’m so glad you love the recipe. Thank you for sharing.
I’m surprised you don’t start with simmering it in the slow cooker and chicken broth shred it and then cook again in barbecue? Have you tried that? I’m about to lol good eats
Hi Nate, I have not, but I bet its worth a try! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
Did it work? I have leftover chicken that I’d like to try this with but I’m worried it will over cook to the chicken and fry it out or did it stay juicy and tender? If so, How long did you cook the chicken the second time in the sauce?
I have made this slow cooker chicken several times. I use a different BBQ sauce (a chipotle flavoured one) and skip the sugar, but it turns out sooo good every time. I used it for tacos, in a chicken salad or in sandwiches. Thank you for this, I am always looking for easy to make and flavourful recipes.
So glad you love it! Thank you for sharing.
I made this for a 2nd time for Super Bowl. This time I had some really large chicken breasts and decided to season them and sear in a pan. It was def. still very raw when I added to the slow cooker (cooked for high 3 hours; then set to warm). Was way better doing it this way the 2nd time. More flavorful. I also added liquid smoke to the sauce. Also better flavor. Will continue to use this recipe as it’s so easy and yummy!!
Hi Kathy! That’s great to hear. Thank you for sharing. I’m glad you loved the recipe.
Can I use onion powder instead of grated onion and also I use sweet baby Ray’s regular BBQ sauce instead of honey stuff. Will this alter taste much?
Hi Shante, it should be fine to use those. Let us know how you like the recipe.
I need to double this recipe. Can I do so in a 4-quart crockpot?
Hi Lois, That may be cutting it close, but it may work. We were able to fit 3 lbs into our 6 quart just fine.
I have a 8qt size crockpot. Would this affect the cook time or recipe at all?
Hi Gianna, it may cook a bit quicker, but it shouldn’t alter the time by much. I would watch it closely for the last little bit. I hope you love this recipe.
I’m planning on making this for a potluck. I was going to cook it the day before and reheat it the next day.
What is the best way to reheat it (for food safety reasons)? Can I just reheat in the crockpot? Thanks!
Hi Sandra, It’s best made the morning of, but you can make it a day ahead and refrigerate then reheat the next day adding a splash of water if needed. It will reheat well since it’s a moist chicken.
Thanks for your response.
Can it be reheated in the crockpot?
Yes, you can reheat the next day adding a splash of water if needed. It will reheat well since it’s a moist chicken.
Can you make this with beef? I already bought the beef but this looks good and simple!
Hi Shauna! I have not tested this recipe with beef to advise. If you experiment, let us know how it turns out.
Hi there! Would I be able to make this on the stovetop if I don’t have a slow cooker?
Hi Charlotte! You can follow my instructions for the sweet and spicy baked chicken to make this on the stove top.
Recipe was bland. Don’t understand how it got so many 5 star reviews.
Hi Lauren, this is normally very flavorful. You might consider if any substitutions were made or it could be due to using a different BBQ sauce? The one we recommend is a sweeter variety which adds great flavor to the sauce. Also, be sure to put the chicken back into the sauce once it’s shredded so it can absorb the sauce.
Can this be made ahead of time and frozen? Would I warm it up with a splash of water?
Hi Heidi! I have not tested freezing this but I assume it could be. Let us know how it works if you try.
You can add a splash of water if needed. The chicken is moist and tends to reheat well without being dry.
Great BBQ chicken sandwiches. I halved the recipe and added hot sauce to heat it up. Love the brown sugar, it gave it a smokey taste.
Hi Jeff, great to hear that you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you for your feedback and review.
Hi, Natasha. I’m going to make this recipe for a party in a few
days. Should the brown sugar be packed on the tablespoon or just be scooped up loosely? Thank you.
Hi Elaine, packed into the tablespoon is fine but this can be adjusted based on preference.
Super duper easy, also easy to modify by adding a little extra honey, red pepper flakes, black pepper, etc. to please any crowd. The chicken was tender with just the right amount of sauce. definitely recommend topping with coleslaw. Delicious!
Awesome and love it! Thank you for your good comments and feedback.
Can I use frozen chicken breasts? Can I put them in the cooker frozen, or do I need to defrost them first?
Hi Debra! You’d have to experiment with it. I worry that frozen chicken would water it down.
I used Costco flash frozen chicken breasts, defrosted them in the fridge for a day and a half until mostly defrosted but still a little crystally. I poured out all the water from the flash freeze and they turned out wonderfully! Thanks for the recipe!
What can I substitute for olive oil? I have a friend who is allergic.
Hi Marilyn, we prefer olive oil, but canola oil, vegetable oil or sunflower oil may also work.
Natasha, Just wanted to let you know I made your Slow Cooker BBQ Recipe as well as your Creamy Coconut Coleslaw Recipe. Both recipes were easy to make and both tasted delicious❤️ Instead of dill chips I steamed corn on cobs. Thank you for posting your recipes!
You’re welcome and I’m happy to know that you’re enjoying my recipes!
Quick question about using skinless, boneless chicken thighs instead of leaner breasts. Would the time have to be adjusted because thighs are a little more fatty or is the time still the same because of weight? I just don’t want the chicken to come out too dry or even undercooked if I need to adjust the time.
Hi Cynthia. I have not tested this recipe with thighs but I think it should work without making adjustments (assuming they are boneless). IF you have a food thermometer to check, the internal temperature of the chicken should be 165℉ for safe consumption.
So easy and so good! This will be my go to recipe for shredded BBQ chicken. Loved it!
Hi Sue! I’m happy to hear that this is your go-to. Thanks for sharing.
Can this recipe be halved? If so, does cooking time have to be adjusted? I can’t wait to make this, it looks delicious!
I Sue, yes, this recipe can be halved. Here’s what one of our readers wrote: “I halved the recipe, and followed it exactly, besides putting a little hot sauce. I cooked it for 2 hours, and a little more after I shredded the chicken. I LOVE pulled pork, but don’t ever have meat to make it. However, THIS RECIPE is just as good as pulled pork, and way cheaper!! I will be using this recipe from now on, whenever I crave the sweet, yet savory flavor of this. Thank you so much for sharing! ❤” I hope this helps!
Tripled this recipe for a group of 25 last night. My only concern was the sauce tasted watered down, probably from all the moisture coming out of the chicken as it cooked. We ended up serving it with more Baby Rays sauce to squirt on top to increase the flavor. I wondered if I should cook and shred the chicken, drain any liquid, then add the sauce ingredients for the last hour? Any suggestions?
Hi April, did you possibly use frozen chicken? That could be the culprit. But I also read from one of our readers that chicken breasts can be injected with up to 20%+ of a saltwater solution, which could be released during the cook. I think it may be a good idea to drain some if you have excess water.
Thanks for sharing this recipe.
I made it loved it and has shared with many friends . I make often love the flavor the sauce gives to the chicken
Hi Deborah! You’re very welcome. I’m glad you enjoy this recipe.
I tried this recipe step by step, and it turned out AMAZING!!!
Thank you for the review, Jenn! So glad you enjoyed this recipe.
It would be nice if you would get rid of the annoying ad in the center of the recipe which no matter how many times you try to cancel it still remains. I finally gave up and went to another recipe on another site.
Thank you for sharing your concerns and feedback, George. The only way we can continue providing free recipes is by having ads on our site so we are not able to remove those at this time. We find that most people would rather see the ads than pay to see the recipes. I appreciate your feedback and I hope you love every recipe you try.
Can I use the Homemade BBQ Recipe to make Bone In Chicken Pieces in the Crock Pot ???
Thank You
Marie Griggs
Hi Marie, I bet that could work! I hope you love this recipe!
I love this recipe! I made it for the first time about a month ago and it became my husbands favorite meal but then I made it again tonight and my bbq sauce was super runny and watery.. do you have any ideas as to what I might have done wrong and how I can fix it? Please let me know! Thanks Natasha ☺️
Hi Angelica, did you possibly use frozen chicken? That could be the culprit. But I also read from one of our readers that chicken breasts can be injected with up to 20%+ of a salt water solution, and that could be released during the cook.
I am serving 10 adults. Could you please tell me what adjustments I need to make to the recipe?
Thanks
Hi Suzanna, I recommend clicking “Jump to recipe” at the top of the post, it will take you to our printable recipe where you’ll have the option to change the number of servings. Hover over the number of servings highlighted in red and slide it to how many servings you would like to make. I hope that helps!
This has become my go-to recipe for BBQ chicken. It’s easy and delicious!
Great to hear that, Rich! Thanks for the review.
Looks delish! Can you start with frozen chicken breasts and cook in the crockpot as suggested? Thanks and looking forward to this!
Hi Stephanie, I haven’t tested that myself, but I also recently read that adding frozen meats to a slow cooker can be unsafe, so it’s best to do a quick-thaw in cold, cold water at least before adding them.
Hi Natasha,
I have used many of your recipes and have loved them all. I am planning for 12-15 people. Would it work to double this recipe or should I used 2 slow cookers?
Glad you’re enjoying them, Joanne. That should work fine to double it as long as your slow cooker is large enough to fit everything. It will probably require a longer cook time, though – I would aim for the higher end of the cook times (i.e., 4 hours on high or 7 hours on low) to check for doneness.
Natasha thank you again for a fantastic recipe. I made the recipe on the stove since I don’t have a slow cooker. I have made many of your recipes. They come out perfect since I follow them exactly as you write them.
Do yoy have a cookbook I could buy?
I’m so glad they came out perfect, Ellen! Thank you for sharing your awesome feedback with me! I don’t have a cookbook out yet, but it’s on my list of life goals and we are working on one! stay tuned!
Thank you so much for adding the metric option! It’s so rare to have the ability to switch between units directly on the site. I look forward to cooking this using my standard kitchen tools without having to do any conversions myself!
You’re very welcome! It’s a neat tool to have. 🙂
Hi Natasha, I made this a few weeks ago and froze half. I defrosted it yesterday and served it for dinner. It was wonderful! Keep. these easy dinners coming! I really enjoy your videos.
I will make sure to keep them coming, Liz. Thank for the review!
I have left over chicken and wondering if you can use this to still get the juicy taste.
Has anyone tried this?
Yes leftover chicken works fine and I think adds a lot of flavor
Your recipes just appeal to me..last night I made your Beef Stroganoff..it was delicious…I also made your Bluberry cake…I have made a couple others, but can’t recall this morning….
I enjoy your videos, but love the delicious recipes..this morning, I saw your Barbecue chicken, it is next on my list…seems like your recipes contain things that are in my pantry and refrigerator…
Thanks for sharing your life and recipes..continue cooking❤️🙏
Hi Kay! Thank you for sharing that with me. I’m so glad you enjoy my recipes.
I have been making this recipe for two years now. It is an easy dinner that provides great leftovers. Many friends and family members request this dish at parties! It is so good!
That’s great, Danielle. Thank you for sharing. I am happy you enjoy this recipe and so happy you are sharing it with others who enjoy it as well!
Can I use white sugar in place of the brown sugar? I don’t have any brown sugar.
Hi Bridget, I haven’t tried that or another substitute to advise. I feel this recipe will really miss the brown sugar.
I’m making this for the first time for Super Bowl party and was wondering how to increase the serving size without doubling, and I just saw your reply about using the tool at the bottom of the post! That’s great! Thanks!
Sounds good, Teri. Please update us on how it goes! I hope you love it.
I love this recipe, I use it every time I make pulled chicken! Just wondering- what is the serving size for the nutrition facts posted?
Hi Christina, the serving size for the whole recipe is 8 (if used in sandwiches) the nutrition facts is per serving. Just divide the whole recipe by 8 to get each of the serving size.
Hey Natasha and fellow foodies, I make this recipe in my instant pot/pressure cooker…super quick and easy recipe..I am about ready to head home and make another batch..
Thanks so much for another amazing recipe.
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Cheryl!
Love this recipe and was looking to make this in my instant pot for a quicker meal. Did you do anything differently cooking it in the instant pot?
Hi Erika, I haven’t tested that, I think that would be a great experiment, but I really can’t provide specific instructions without testing it. I love my instant pot, but things don’t always translate how I hope they would go in the instant pot. I will add it to my list, but let me know how it goes if you experiment before I do.
Did you do any differently? How long did you do it in instant pot?
So amazing! I made this chicken with no changes to the recipe and it was so good. Had a lot of leftovers and this chicken was very versatile. With pasta, on sandwiches, in quesadillas, on salads. Will 100% be making this again!!
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, Jordyn!
Hi Natasha, I’ve made your slow cooker BBQ chicken several times and love it. I’ve got it slow cooking just now.
What could be nicer on a cold snowy day in Glasgow Scotland.
We love this recipe on a cold snowy day! I’m so glad you enjoyed this, Marylin!
Hi Natasha ! I’ve made quite a few of your recipes this year
They are always soo good–and easy too ! I’m 77 years old, so I don’t cook every day anymore, but when I do I like it to be worth my while ( if you know what I mean…) I made Thanksgiving dinner !for my family this year (your pumpkin pie,turkey and dinner rolls) my family were pretty impressed !It all started because I love watching your videos .You make cooking look like so much fun !
I’m so glad your family was impressed with it, Susan! I love hearing stories like this! Thank you for your compliment and lovely feedback! Merry Christmas!
Delicious! I didn’t grate the onion, just chopped it very small. Also substituted Worcestershire Sauce with 1 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp ketchup so that combo works well as well! Used Stubb’s Hickory Bourbon Bbq Sauce. Will def make again! Enjoyed it in wraps.
Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Thea! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
what is a substitute for worchestershire sauce? – we have an allergy situation.
Hi Karen, I haven’t tried a specific substitute for this recipe, but I recommend a google search. There are so many options that come up.
can you freeze this? and for how long?
Hi Michele, I haven’t tried freezing it, but I do think it would work well. The ingredients are freezer-friendly.
I made this for company last night. Big hit and so easy to prepare. Will definitely make again.
Thanks for your great feedback, Karen!
Hi I am planning on trying your recipe today but I do not have a slow cooker. I was planning on slow cooking in the oven. What temp would you reccommend and for how long?
Hi Sigga, You can actually do it on the stovetop or in the oven. I think it’s a little easier (hands-off) and less time-consuming in the oven. You can follow the baking instructions outlined in my sweet and spicy baked chicken.
I just made this last night for my family of 3. Very easy and delicious. I used 1.5 pounds of chicken and i could have used about a half pound more as ours was a little to saucy. That is Ok. Otherwise delicious, super easy and a hit. I will be making this again. Nice basic recipe to expand on. I cooked this for 6 hours on low.
Hello Marcia, so nice to know that you liked and enjoyed this recipe! Thank you for sharing that with us.
Made this last week and now making it again tonight. This recipe is sooo good. The chicken just falls apart. I made a tangy slaw with it and served it with spicy pickle chips. I used the new barbecue sauce from Trader Joe’s-The Carolina gold. We are obsessed!
Isn’t it so good! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Merissa!
Hi Natasha,
I would like to make this as sliders for our 2022 Super Bowl party. I’m assuming I can use thighs and/or a combination of chicken meat.
Can I make it the day before?
That should work, Sharron. It’s best made the morning of but you can make it a day ahead and refrigerate then reheat the next day adding a splash of water if needed. It will reheat well since it’s a moist chicken.
Hi,
Do you use light or dark brown sugar please
Hi Troy, we used golden brown sugar. I hope that helps.
Hi Natasha.. thank you for your WONDERFUL- spot on recipes!
I was thinking about doing half thighs and half tenderloins.. I know they each cook differently… any suggestions 🤔??? Thanks
Hi Koch, I would cook to the doneness of the chicken thighs to be safe. I always make this with chicken breast so I would suggest cooking to your desired doneness.
Can I use a whole chicken to make this pulled chicken?
Hi Michele, that should work fine to debone and remove the skin. I have instructions on how to cut up a whole chicken on my blog here. 🙂
For those of you who like your BBQ chicken spicier or a bit more hot flavored. I have added diced mild to medium jalapenos about 1 pepper worth. I have also used diced green mild to hot chiles in the can (small) drained before adding to the pre-cooking. I hope this helps some of your readers.
Great ideas, Darrel! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
Hi Natasha I need to make this to feed 10 adults and 9 kids. Would i be safe to just double the ingredients? Thanks
Hi Brooke, that should work fine to double it as long as your slow cooker is large enough to fit everything. It will probably require a longer cook time, though – I would aim for the higher end of the cook times (i.e., 4 hours on high or 7 hours on low) to check for doneness.
The slow-cooker, chicken BBQ recipe is now one of my “go to” recipes when I need to take meals to friends. I’ve done this three times over the last year or so and it’s received rave reviews each time. Thanks, Natasha!
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Susan!
I would like to make this and take it to a Fourth of July picnic. I cant bring my crock pot but I can keep it warm in my pyrex warming bag. Will it still be good served semi-warm?
Hi Seema, we like it warm, and I bet that pyrex warming dish will help keep it warm! I hope you love this recipe! It’s perfect for the Fourth of July!
Seema, this recipe is wonderful just warm. By the time I have taken it to my friends’ home for their dinner, it is “just warm.” And they love it.
I see the nutrition information but don’t see how much a serving size is. Thank you!
Hi Donna, Servings: 8 if used in sandwiches
Hey Natasha! I had the same question. I know it makes 8 servings. But how much exactly is a serving? About how much prepared chicken?
Hi Megan, if you are serving as sandwiches, I would estimate roughly 1/2 cup of shredded chicken.
Instead of shredding with a fork, which takes forever, Try putting the chicken in the bowl of your stand mixer with paddle attachment and let it rip for a few seconds. Easy Peasy!
Thank you for sharing that wonderful tip with us, LK!
Would this also work in the instant pot? And if so, how long would you recommend?
Hi Bonnie, I think that would be a great experiment, but I really can’t provide specific instructions without testing it. I love my instant pot, but things don’t always translate how I hope they would go in the instant pot. I will add it to my list, but let me know how it goes if you experiment before I do.
Hey, can I still cook the sauce without onions? I recently found out that I’m allergic to them.
Hi Deja, are you okay to use onion powder just for added taste? If not, feel free to omit it from the recipe and just add more seasoning to taste.
Yes ma’am I’m okay to use onion powder, just can’t do an actual onion. Thanks for the reply! 😊
How can I double this recipe. Do I need two crockpots
Hi Barbara, that should work fine to double it as long as your slow cooker is large enough to fit everything. It will probably require a longer cook time though – I would aim for the higher end of the cook times (i.e. 4 hours on high or 7 hours on low) to check for doneness.
came out amazing, paired it with some homemade brioche buns and it was a party hit. Everyone had at least two!!
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review, Jacob!
I love your recipes
Thank you so much for sharing that lovely comment with me, Chris! I’m so happy you’re enjoying my recipes!
Thank you for another great recipe! My family loved it.
You’re welcome, Anna! I’m so happy you enjoyed that.
I’ll be making this soon so am going to freeze all the ingredients together in a bag before semi-thawing in the fridge the night before. I’ve used frozen meats in the crock pot a number of times with no difficulties (referring to an earlier question from a reader). My question is, since I’m only using two pounds of chicken, should I reduce the amount of BBQ sauce to one cup?
Hi Lucie, I recommend using the serving size slider on the printable recipe card to help you adjust all ingredients to the 2 lbs of chicken.
I made this few times and wifey and kids loved it. How long can this stay in the fridge? Can I keep this (from safety perspective) 2-3 days in the fridge and reheat parts of it?
Hi Daniel, For max freshness, I would probably refrigerate up to 3 days.
This is by far the greatest recipe ever! Natasha, keep the recipes coming! Almost everything I make is from your page!
I’m so happy you love the pulled chicken recipe. Thanks for sharing your great review!
Hi Natasha! If I wanted to half the recipe, should I adjust the cook time in the slow cooker as well?
Thank you!
Hi Natalie, halving it will work but the time won’t change by much. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe.
How will it taste if I just use the BBQ sauce in the bottle? I don’t use Worcestershire sauce at all, so i don’t want to waste the bottle.
Thank you!
Hi Tina, we believe we found the perfect balance for this BBQ sauce and chicken recipe. But, if you find a bbq bottle that you like and it works well, I’d love to know how you like it.
What kind of buns did you use ? I’m making this tonight !
Hi Mya, we have photos of the buns we used in the recipe, but this is versatile; you can use brioche buns, and some of our readers also use the little Hawaiian buns for those who wanted a slider.
This was delicious!!
Our family is headed to the northshore of Minnesota to gorgeous resort this summer. I will be making this for our first family vacation since the pandemic. And yes, I will pack my slow cooker. Thank you for your awesome recipes! Everyone LOVES this BBQ chicken!
You’re welcome, Jane! This will be perfect during the summer!
My chicken is rubbery and is not shredding easily. It appears fully cooked and has been cooking for the prescribed about of time on high heat. Would more vinegar break it down? What did I do wrong? They are large thick chicken breasts.
Hi Pat, if they are very large chicken breasts, they may need a little more time, or especially if you started with frozen chicken they would need a little longer.
Hi, firstly just want to say I love all of your recipes I have tried so far. We just made chicken pot pie and I want to use the remaining chi Ken. Can I use cooked rotisserie chicken for this? If so, how do I adjust cooking time?
Hi Priya, I haven’t tested this with rotisserie to advise. We also took a look at our reader comments and haven’t found anyone trying it to advise on a time or process. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe.
Hi Natasha! My husband LOVES this meal. Silly question – do you use any buns? Do you toast them? And do you put any condiments on the bun?
Hi Jessica, yes, as we mentioned in the recipe, we “Serve as is or in buns with the best coconut coleslaw (find the recipe on natashaskitchen.com) and dill pickle chips.” You can definitely toast the buns; it’s such a treat! I hope you love it!
Can I use frozen chicken?
Hi Tiff, I have not tested that, but I recently read that adding frozen meats to a slow cooker can be unsafe, so it’s best to do a quick-thaw in cold, cold water at least before adding them.
Hi Natasha! I used bone-in chicken thighs and it was fabulous! I added cayenne because we like spicy and a little apple cider vinegar for tartness. Even my husband who only eats white meat chicken loved it and asked me to make it again. Also, your coconut cole slaw was delicious. That’s how I’ll be making cole slaw from now on. I have a question, though, my sister wants to make this, but she doesn’t have a slow cooker. If she makes it in the oven using chicken thighs, how long and what temp should she do? Thanks for your recipes. So far, all the ones I’ve tried are winners!!
Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Susan! I’m so glad you’re all enjoying our recipes! You can actually do it on the stovetop or in the oven. I think it’s a little easier (hands-off) and less time-consuming in the oven. You can follow the baking instructions outlined in my sweet and spicy baked chicken.
Can this recipe be made with chicken thighs? I have a bunch! Looks delicious.
Hi Caitie, I suggest boneless skinless thighs, and they should work.
Made this for my mom’s birthday and she loved it!! (she’s very picky, and at restaurants normally describes her meal as “ok”). She even put some of it in a container for leftovers the next day. Recipe was very simple too, which I appreciated. Would definitely recommend to someone who wants an easy meal that will please a crowd.
Hi Sarah, thank you so much for your recommendation and awesome review. I appreciate it!
Juicy and delicious!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Hi Natasha, I think I am hooked on your recipes! I’m anxious to try this one but my kids are picky eaters. Can I sub the onions for lemon juice instead? If so how much would I use? Thank-you looking forward to your reply.
Hi Marisa, I honestly haven’t tried that yet to advise. I saw someone else commented that they added a little bit of lemon and liked it!
Has anyone tried freezing this? How did it go?
Hi Julia, I haven’t tried freezing it, but I do think it would work well. The ingredients are freezer friendly.
I routinely freeze half of it for an easy meal later. No complaints from my picky family. Great recipe!
Thank you for sharing that with us, Alli!