Ultimate Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken: Easy, Juicy & Flavorful Recipe
Are you searching for a weeknight dinner solution that’s both incredibly delicious and unbelievably easy? Look no further! Today, we’re sharing a mouth-watering recipe that will quickly become a family favorite: **Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken**. This dish features succulent, fall-apart chicken pieces bathed in a rich, homemade BBQ sauce, offering the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and a hint of spice. It’s the kind of comfort food that satisfies everyone.
The absolute best part? This isn’t a meal that demands hours of active kitchen time. Your trusty slow cooker does almost all the work, gently simmering the chicken to perfection while you go about your day. Imagine coming home to the irresistible aroma of BBQ chicken, ready to be served with minimal fuss. It’s truly a “set it and forget it” marvel. Ready to transform your dinner routine? Let’s dive into this fantastic recipe!
Why the Slow Cooker is Your Best Friend for Pulled Chicken
The slow cooker, often lovingly called a crockpot, is truly the hero of this recipe. It’s designed to cook food slowly over several hours, which is precisely what makes chicken so incredibly tender and infuses it with maximum flavor. Unlike other cooking methods that might dry out chicken breast, the moist, low-heat environment of a slow cooker ensures that your chicken remains juicy and easily shreddable. This makes it perfect for achieving that signature “pulled” texture.
For busy individuals or families, the convenience factor is unmatched. A few minutes of prep in the morning, and dinner is taken care of. No standing over a hot stove, no constant stirring – just hands-off cooking that delivers consistently delicious results. It’s a game-changer for weeknights, meal prepping, or even entertaining a crowd.
The Star of the Show: Homemade BBQ Sauce
While you could certainly opt for a store-bought BBQ sauce, the true magic of this recipe lies in its homemade BBQ sauce. This isn’t just any sauce; it’s a carefully crafted blend of ingredients that transforms simple chicken into an extraordinary meal. The combination of savory aromatics like shallots and garlic, the tang of Worcestershire and soy sauce, and the sweetness of dark brown sugar, all brought together with a hint of fennel, creates a depth of flavor you just won’t find in a bottle.
Making your own sauce offers immense benefits. Firstly, you control every ingredient, avoiding unwanted additives or excessive sugars found in many commercial varieties. Secondly, it allows for easy customization. Craving a richer flavor? A splash of extra soy sauce or a touch of smoked paprika can work wonders. If you enjoy a little heat, a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce can elevate the spice level to your liking. This adaptability means you can tailor the BBQ pulled chicken to perfectly suit your taste buds, making each batch uniquely yours.
Once your irresistible homemade sauce is prepared, the rest is effortless. Simply place your chicken breasts into the slow cooker, coat them generously with the sauce, and let the appliance work its wonders. This truly becomes a ‘set and forget’ recipe, allowing you to focus on other tasks until dinner time approaches. Just before serving, a quick bake of some fluffy buns and a fresh green salad will complete your perfect pulled chicken sandwich.
Effortless Crockpot BBQ Chicken for Any Occasion
This recipe truly epitomizes ease and flavor. It’s an accessible dish that anyone, regardless of their cooking skill level, can master. The process is straightforward: blend your BBQ sauce ingredients, nestle the chicken into the sauce, and let your slow cooker take over. The low and slow cooking method is forgiving, ensuring your chicken emerges perfectly cooked and tender every time.
After a patient seven hours on the low setting (or a quicker four hours on high if you’re in a pinch), you’ll be rewarded with incredibly tender, flavorful pulled chicken that’s ideal for stuffing into sandwiches, wraps, or serving over rice. The minimal effort required for such an explosion of flavor is what makes this dish a consistent winner in our kitchen. We encourage you to try it for yourself and savor the delightful results!
Choosing the Best Chicken for Pulled BBQ Chicken
While this recipe calls for chicken breast, boneless, skinless chicken thighs are also an excellent choice for pulled chicken. Chicken thighs tend to be more forgiving due to their higher fat content, resulting in even juicier and more flavorful pulled chicken. However, chicken breasts work wonderfully too, especially if you prefer leaner meat. You can even use a mix of both! Just ensure your chicken is boneless and skinless for the easiest preparation and best texture for shredding.
Versatile Serving Suggestions & Delicious Pairings
The beauty of slow cooker BBQ pulled chicken is its incredible versatility. While classic sandwiches on toasted buns with a crisp salad are always a hit, don’t stop there! Get creative with your meals:
- Pulled Chicken Sandwiches: Serve on brioche buns, potato rolls, or even slider buns for a party appetizer. Top with coleslaw, pickles, or extra BBQ sauce.
- BBQ Pulled Chicken Tacos or Wraps: Fill soft tortillas with the chicken, shredded lettuce, cheese, and a dollop of sour cream or avocado.
- Loaded Baked Potatoes: Spoon generous amounts of pulled chicken over fluffy baked potatoes, then add your favorite toppings like cheese, chives, and sour cream.
- Salad Topper: Add to a fresh green salad for a hearty and flavorful main dish.
- BBQ Chicken Bowls: Serve over rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice with roasted vegetables for a complete and healthy meal.
- Nachos or Quesadillas: Use as a delicious filling for cheesy nachos or quesadillas.
As for side dishes, classic pairings like creamy coleslaw, corn on the cob, mac and cheese, or a simple garden salad complement the rich flavors of the BBQ chicken perfectly.
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📖 Recipe
VIDEO
RECIPE CARD
Andréa
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- ½ cup curry sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ⅓ cup Japanese soy sauce
- ⅓ cup dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 pounds chicken breast
- 4 Sandwich buns
- 4 oz. mixed lettuce
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
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Put oil in a pan and fry the shallot for three minutes on medium heat until softened and fragrant.1 tablespoon vegetable oil, 1 shallot
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Add the minced garlic to the pan and stir-fry for an additional thirty seconds until aromatic. Transfer the sautéed shallot and garlic mixture into the slow cooker.2 cloves garlic
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Into the slow cooker, pour in the curry sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and Japanese soy sauce. Stir in the dark brown sugar and fennel seeds until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding salt and ground black pepper to your preference.½ cup curry sauce, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, ⅓ cup Japanese soy sauce, ⅓ cup dark brown sugar, 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, ¼ teaspoon salt, ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
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Carefully place the chicken breasts into the slow cooker, ensuring they are fully submerged or at least well coated by the homemade BBQ sauce. Turn the chicken pieces to thoroughly coat them with the sauce.2 pounds chicken breast
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Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on the low setting for 7 hours. Alternatively, if you’re short on time, cook on high for 4 hours. The chicken should be incredibly tender and easy to shred.
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Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker onto a cutting board or a shallow dish. Using two forks, shred the chicken into desired pieces. It should pull apart with very little effort.
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Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir everything thoroughly into the luscious BBQ sauce. Serve the pulled chicken warm on sandwich buns, topped with fresh mixed lettuce or your favorite coleslaw. Enjoy immediately!4 Sandwich buns, 4 oz. mixed lettuce
Notes
2. Delicious variations: Instead of mixed lettuce, try serving your pulled chicken with a traditional creamy coleslaw for a classic pairing. You can also experiment with different herbs and spices in the homemade sauce, such as a pinch of chili powder for an extra kick, or a dash of liquid smoke for a deeper, smoky flavor.
3. Alternative cooking methods: This versatile recipe can be adapted for other cooking appliances:
- Oven: Preheat your oven to between 200 and 230 °F (90 – 110 °C). Combine all ingredients in an oven-safe dish with a tight-fitting lid. Cook for approximately 4 hours, or until the chicken is tender and easily shredded.
- Pressure Cooker / Instant Pot: For this quantity of meat and sauce, cook in a pressure cooker or Instant Pot on high pressure for 1 hour and 20 minutes. Allow for natural pressure release for 10-15 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure. Shred the chicken directly in the pot.
4. Storage and Reheating Tips
To ensure food safety and maintain quality, allow the Pulled Chicken and sauce to cool rapidly to room temperature before storing.
- Refrigerator: Store the pulled chicken, covered tightly in an airtight container, in the fridge for up to 3 days. This makes it perfect for meal prepping!
- Freezer: For longer storage, portion the pulled chicken into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheat: To reheat, place the pulled chicken in an oven-safe dish, cover it with foil or a lid, and bake at 350 °F (180 °C) for about 20 minutes, or until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat it on the stovetop over medium heat, but be mindful that it can dry out quickly. If reheating on the stovetop, add a splash of chicken broth or water to keep the pulled chicken moist and flavorful.
Nutrition
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More Slow Cooker Delights to Explore
If you’ve fallen in love with the convenience and incredible flavor of this Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken, you’re in for a treat! The slow cooker is a versatile appliance capable of creating a wide array of comforting and easy meals. Here are a few more slow cooker recipes you might enjoy, perfect for expanding your repertoire of effortless home-cooked dishes.
- Slow Cooker Barbecue Spareribs
- Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken
- Slow Cooker Beef Pot Roast with Plums