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Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken is juicy, flavorful. and preps in minutes! This simple dish is great for holidays, parties and potlucks!
Because it’s a classic slow cooker recipe, this easy Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken won’t heat up the house. Try pairing this smoky meat with Easy Coleslaw, Corn on the Cob, and Fruit Salad.
Easy BBQ Pulled Chicken
I love a good pulled meat sandwich! This chicken breast version is super simple, super flavorful and is a great dinner option for a large gathering or party.
These Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken sandwiches are great on their own, but they taste especially delicious on a bun topped with coleslaw (if you haven’t tried it – you must)!
It’s a weeknight win that delivers juicy shredded meat infused with a smoky-sweet flavor that comes from BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, olive oil and garlic powder.
Pulled Chicken is one of those fabulous set it and forget it slow cooker meals that take little prep and are great for busy days.
How to Make 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.
Serve with
Here are some of our favorite sides to make with pulled chicken.
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.
When you’re making it for a large group, don’t worry if you over estimate so you don’t run out of food. You can always freeze any leftover pulled chicken to be used later.
Chicken. I used boneless skinless chicken breast for this recipe, but you can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs.
Do not overcook. The crock pot is a great way to start and then forget about dinner. However, you can overcook food in a crockpot. Overcooked chicken can become dry and tough. To keep this recipe moist and tender cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Crock pot liner. For easy clean up use a crockpot liner.
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.
Serve on. Shredded chicken is most often served on a hamburger bun, but you can also use: Slider buns, in a tortilla, with pita, with corn chips or even over rice!
Variations
Spruce it up! Whether you’re looking to get a little extra heat or just a twist of flavor you can easily do so. Try adding:
- worcestershire sauce
- hot sauce
- red pepper flakes
- paprika
- taco seasoning
- chili powder
- Adding veggies is another easy way to add flavor and texture. Try diced onion, chopped celery, jalapenos or bell peppers
Storing and Using LEftovers
STORE leftover pulled chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Use any leftover chicken in some of these recipes to change it up!
- Use it to top a Baked Potato, or inside a Stuffed Sweet Potato
- Eat them in a tortilla, pita or lettuce wrap
- Serve them inside a Quesadilla, on top of Nachos, or in a Burrito Bowl
- Make Barbecue Chicken French Bread
For more Chicken Recipes, check out:
- Baked BBQ Chicken
- Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken
- Cafe Rio Shredded Chicken
- Ranch Chicken
- Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls
Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Recipe
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.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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!