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Delicious crockpot BBQ chicken, slow-cooked to perfection

Classic Crockpot BBQ Chicken

This Classic Crockpot BBQ Chicken recipe delivers tender, flavorful chicken effortlessly. It's a perfect dish for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd, requiring minimal prep and yielding maximum taste.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 40 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • Slow cooker
  • Cutting board
  • Forks

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 2-3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 18-20 ounces BBQ sauce your favorite

Seasonings

  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1-2 tablespoons brown sugar optional
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs at the bottom of your slow cooker insert.

Cooking

  • Season the chicken with onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
  • Pour your favorite BBQ sauce over the chicken, ensuring it is well coated, then drizzle in the apple cider vinegar and stir in brown sugar if using.
  • Cover and cook on the LOW setting for 3-4 hours or on the HIGH setting for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is easily shredded with a fork; cooking on low generally results in more tender chicken.

Finishing

  • Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the slow cooker, place it on a cutting board, and shred it using two forks.
  • Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir it into the BBQ sauce, ensuring every piece is coated.
  • Allow the shredded chicken to simmer for another 15-30 minutes on warm to absorb more flavor before serving.

Notes

For truly tender chicken, cooking on the LOW setting of your slow cooker is recommended. Adjust the amount of brown sugar to your taste preference for sweetness. This versatile BBQ chicken is great for sandwiches, tacos, or as a main dish with your favorite sides.