Slow Cooker Shredded BBQ Chicken

This slow cooker shredded BBQ chicken is a quick throw together dinner option for those wanting to throw something in the crockpot before heading out the door. The results are tender, juicy, BBQ chicken packed with tangy-sweet barbecue flavor. It’s a perfect easy weeknight dinner with minimal time and ingredients.

Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

As a mom of all boys, I have to plan meals that are filling and taste amazing. And as ranchers, we usually just stick to beef. My husband and boys are very picky about chicken recipes! My husband is the classic rancher who believes you should have beef or breakfast foods for every meal. Occasionally if the recipe is good, I can sneak some chicken in there. This is the recipe that I sneak in because it really is so good. I love that I can make this recipe in under 5 minutes. I don’t even thaw out the chicken! That’s how easy it is. After a long day, you come home, shred the chicken and slap it on some buns and serve it with your favorite side. (Just FYI: You can serve this chicken on any type of bun, or you can make my homemade hamburger buns to go with this recipe!)

The Cowboys’ Rating: 9/10

Every time I make a new recipe, I have my family rate the recipe out of 10. By the time, these recipes make the blog, they’ve been tried and tested by some of my hardest tiny critics!

Ingredient Notes and Tips

Below is a list of the ingredients used in this recipe, along with some helpful tips and notes that might answer questions or make the recipe even easier to follow.

• Chicken Breasts – Boneless skinless chicken breasts work great for this recipe, but chicken thighs can also be used for a slightly juicier result. You can even use frozen chicken breasts—just allow extra cooking time in the slow cooker.
• Ketchup
• Brown Sugar
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Brown Sugar
• Worcestershire Sauce
• Honey – You might be thinking, “Why use both brown sugar and honey?” That’s a great question. The reason I do this is because brown sugar is made with molasses, so it has a deeper, richer sweetness, whereas honey has a lighter, smoother sweetness. Using both together gives the BBQ sauce a more balanced flavor and helps create that thick, sticky sauce that coats the chicken perfectly.
• Cheese – If you want, you can add shredded cheese to these sandwiches. My boys think cheese should be smothered on every single thing, so we add it to these sandwiches too.
• Rolls – I like to use basic hamburger buns or hard rolls for this recipe. If you have time, you can make my homemade hamburger buns that really make this recipe even better!

seasonings

• Kosher Salt
• Minced Garlic
• Onion Powder
• Pepper

Tools You’ll Need

• Slow Cooker
• Measuring Cups & Spoons
• Liquid Measuring Cup

Recipe for Slow Cooker Shredded BBQ Chicken

1. Place chicken breasts in the bottom of a slow cooker.
2. Mix sauce ingredients together and pour over top of chicken.
3. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
4. 30 minutes before serving, remove chicken and shred.
5. Return chicken to slow cooker.
6. Split the hamburger buns in half and butter each side.
7. Place the buns on a baking sheet and set under the broiler for 1–2 minutes, or until lightly toasted and golden brown.
8. Remove from the oven and spoon desired amount of chicken onto hoagie buns or hard rolls and serve.
9. Enjoy!

Gluten Free Polynesian BBQ Chicken

For each recipe, I love to add gluten free modifications if possible. Below are tips to make this recipe gluten free:

This slow cooker shredded BBQ chicken recipe is gluten free! I do always caution however, that you check to make sure that the ingredients YOU are using are indeed gluten free. Obviously, the buns would not be gluten free, so it’s important to find a gluten free bun that you like. I personally use the Franz Gluten Free Hamburger buns. One tip is that they can be a little firm straight out of the package, so warming or toasting them slightly helps soften them up and makes them much better.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover shredded BBQ chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave until heated through, adding a splash of water or BBQ sauce if needed to keep it moist.

Freezer Directions:
For longer storage, freeze shredded BBQ chicken in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating or reheat directly from frozen on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally.