I love a good BBQ sandwich! This slow cooker pulled chicken is a super simple and extra flavorful version you won’t want to miss out on. Pair it with a bun, and you’ve got a great dinner option, or use slider buns for an easy party appetizer.
What makes it amazing is the hands-off crockpot method, chicken simmers in a tangy barbecue mixture until tender, then shreds into the sauce for the perfect bite. Pair it with Easy Coleslaw, Corn on the Cob, and Fruit Salad for a weeknight win!
For more delicious sandwiches, try our Pulled Pork, French Dip, and Sloppy Joe sandwiches.
Why we think you’ll love it:
- Dump and go. Easy prep, and the crock pot does the work.
- Budget-friendly. Uses ingredients you likely have on hand.
- Crowd pleasing. A recipe that works for lunch, dinner, parties, and snacks!
Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Ingredients
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts (4 pounds) – Chicken breast shreds tender and soaks up the sauce. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
- BBQ sauce (3 cups, Sweet Baby Ray’s preferred) – BBQ Sauce delivers smoky, sweet flavor and clings well.
- Brown sugar, packed (¼ cup) – Brown sugar deepens caramel notes and balances tang. You can use light or dark brown sugar.
- Apple cider vinegar (2 tablespoons) – Apple cider vinegar brightens and cuts sweetness.
- Olive oil (1 tablespoon) – Oil adds richness and keeps the shreds moist.
- Garlic powder (1 teaspoon) – Garlic layers savory aroma throughout.
How to Make Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken
COMBINE. Add barbecue sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, and garlic powder to your slow cooker and mix until combined.
COAT. Add chicken breast to the slow cooker, making sure to coat all sides of the chicken with the sauce.
COOK. Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 7-8 hours.
SHRED. Shred chicken and serve warm. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Use two forks to shred, or place chicken in your stand mixer with a paddle attachment and turn on LOW speed until shredded. You can also use a hand mixer.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- How much to make? Plan for ¼ pound of chicken per person. One pound of chicken will yield about 2 cups of pulled chicken.
- Toast the Buns. Spread a bit of butter on the inside of the buns, sprinkle with some garlic salt, and broil on High heat for 2-3 minutes or until lightly golden.
- So many uses! Aside from a bun, this tastes great to top a Baked Potato, or inside a Stuffed Sweet Potato, in a tortilla, pita, or lettuce wrap. Make a Quesadilla, Nachos, Burrito Bowl, or Barbecue Chicken French Bread.
Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 4 pounds chicken breast, boneless, skinless
- 3 cups BBQ sauce, We prefer Sweet Baby Ray's
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Add BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, olive oil and garlic powder to your slow cooker and mix until combined.
- Add chicken breast to the slow cooker making sure to coat all sides of the chicken with the sauce.
- Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 7-8 hours.
- Shred chicken and serve warm.
Notes
- How much to make? Plan for ¼ pound of chicken per person. One pound of chicken will yield about 2 cups of pulled chicken.
- Toast the Buns. Spread a bit of butter on the inside of the buns, sprinkle with some garlic salt, and broil on High heat for 2-3 minutes or until lightly golden.
- So many uses! Aside from a bun, this tastes great to top a Baked Potato, or inside a Stuffed Sweet Potato, in a tortilla, pita, or lettuce wrap. Make Quesadilla, Nachos, Burrito Bowl, or Barbecue Chicken French Bread.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Whether you make it ahead of time or want to store leftovers, place in an airtight container(s) and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, covered, with a splash of water or extra sauce, stirring often until hot and steamy, about 5 to 8 minutes. For smaller portions, or if you are on the go, use the microwave.
Complete the Meal
Sides to Serve
Easy Coleslaw
10 mins
Baked Beans Recipe
4 hrs 5 mins
Broccoli Salad Recipe
2 hrs 10 mins
Easy Fruit Salad Recipe
1 hr 20 mins
Chicken Recipes
Cafe Rio Shredded Chicken
3 hrs 5 mins
Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
6 hrs 10 mins
Chicken Parmesan Sliders
30 mins
How to Bake Chicken
35 mins
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This post was originally published July 2020.
I’ve made this recipe many times. My family loves it.
I make a lot of your recipes, they never disappoint!!!
Awe, I appreciate you! Thanks so much for trying my recipes! So happy you like them!
Made this for my family, they all loved it!!
Yay! I am so happy they loved it! Thank you!
I have used many of your recipes and all are wonderful! Wondering if with this recipe the chicken edges could be slightly crisped under a broiler after shredding and put back back in crock? That’s what I usually do with pulled pork, but would that not taste right for chicken?
This recipe was AMAZING! I was looking for something quick and easy to put together… it’s my new go to bbq pulled chicken recipe and just had a request to make it again for dinner tonight! Thank you!
Great and lighter twist on barbecue. Delish!!!!!
Im about to have supper while i check out this page…. It looks yummy
This is our go-to recipe. It is so easy and tastes fantastic.
I look forward to using this recipe. When I make slow cooker BBQ pulled chicken, I use Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce (which is great, BTW) but have always wanted to enhance it with an even deeper, more interesting flavor profile. This recipe does exactly that. Thank you!
Used this as our recipe for pulled chicken sandwiches at a graduation party and THEY WERE A HIT! Paired with a local BBQ sauce + fan fav.
So glad to hear the sandwiches were a hit!!
Could chicken boneless thighs be used?
OMG…Great chicken sandwich. I usually slow cook pork, but the chicken is very moist and tender. Yum…making my mouth water just thinking about it.
This is one of the best! I love all of your recipes.
This looks amazing! I would like to try it in my instant pot. Is that possible? If so, how long please
Yep, I’m sure you could! I’d say 12 minutes if the chicken is frozen, and 9 minutes if it’s thawed. Once it’s done cooking, let the Instant Pot self vent for 10 minutes. Then, manually release the remaining pressure in the Instant Pot, open the lid, remove the chicken, and shred.
crock pot chicken for tacos. I don’t know the seasoning or how long to cook.
Thank you. Carolyn
This is one of my go to recipes! My kids love it.
This one is a huge hit at our house, especially with my four year old, who doesn’t like anything! Super easy and fast to put together.
My kids loved this!
So delicious!! I want to try it with pork and see how that tastes
Amazingly good, simple to make and easy clean up.All the things I like
This is one of my FAVORITE crock pot meals. Leftovers can also be frozen for later. I always love when a recipe makes a BUSY day easier.
A quick and easy meal that will not disAppoint!
Looks delicious! My family would love this.
Can you make it two days in advance?
You bet! Just warm/heat through when ready to serve.
how easy! I actually had all the seasoning at home to make this and just needed to go buy some chicken and buns. Definitely a good dish to make a lot in advance!
The BEST slow cooker pulled chicken recipe!
I LOVE this easy chicken sandwich for dinner.
Unbelievably easy and the flavor was fantastic! Great recipe!
The best sandwich all summer long!! It’s so easy & the taste bursts in your mouth!