Best Crockpot BBQ Chicken

Your new weeknight dinner hero, offering a tender, flavorful, and incredibly easy way to enjoy classic BBQ comfort food with minimal effort. This recipe is perfect for busy evenings when you crave a satisfying meal without the fuss.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 2

Cook Time (Low) 4

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

2 to 2.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
1 cup your favorite BBQ sauce plus more for serving
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
to taste salt
to taste freshly ground black pepper

Optional toppings

sliced green onions
sesame seeds
pickled red onions
extra BBQ sauce

Equipment

Slow Cooker
Small Bowl
Paper towels
Forks

Method

Pat the chicken thighs or breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides of the chicken generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
2 to 2.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, to taste salt, to taste freshly ground black pepper
In a small bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Ensure the brown sugar is well incorporated.
1 cup your favorite BBQ sauce, 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Place the seasoned chicken in the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour the prepared BBQ sauce mixture evenly over the chicken. Make sure the chicken is well-coated in the sauce.
2 to 2.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, 1 cup your favorite BBQ sauce, 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours, or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
Once the chicken is cooked and tender, remove it from the slow cooker. If using chicken breasts, you can either slice them thinly or dice them into bite-sized pieces. If using chicken thighs, they will likely shred very easily. Use two forks to pull the chicken apart into shreds, or cut it into chunks.
2 to 2.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Return the shredded or sliced chicken to the slow cooker with the BBQ sauce. Stir to coat the chicken thoroughly. If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can remove the lid and cook on high for another 15-30 minutes, or mash some of the chicken with the sauce to help thicken it naturally. Alternatively, you can mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry, then stir it into the sauce and cook until thickened.
2 to 2.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, 1 cup your favorite BBQ sauce
Serve the Best Crockpot BBQ Chicken hot. It's fantastic served on buns for sandwiches, over rice, alongside mashed potatoes, or with a fresh salad. Garnish with your favorite toppings for an extra burst of flavor and texture.
2 to 2.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, 1 cup your favorite BBQ sauce, sliced green onions, sesame seeds, pickled red onions, extra BBQ sauce

Notes

Optional step: sear chicken before adding to slow cooker for extra flavor.

Avoid overcooking chicken breasts.

For thicker sauce, remove lid and cook on high, or mash chicken to thicken naturally.

Cornstarch slurry can also be used for thickening.