Super Juicy BBQ Pulled Chicken Recipe for Your Slow Cooker

Cooking up a storm of pulled bbq chicken in the slow cooker promises an effortless meal that will steal the show at any gathering.

Succulent chicken transforms into a mouthwatering delicacy with minimal prep work and maximum flavor.

Robust barbecue sauce seeps into every fiber, creating a hearty dish that begs to be shared.

Weeknight dinners or weekend cookouts become instantly more exciting with this simple recipe.

The magic happens as the chicken slowly simmers, becoming impossibly tender and infused with smoky, tangy goodness.

Serve this crowd-pleasing pulled chicken on soft buns, over rice, or alongside your favorite sides for a guaranteed flavor explosion.

Prepare to be the hero of your next meal with this irresistible slow cooker sensation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 6 hours

Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes

Calories: 298 kcal

Servings: 6

Ingredients List for Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken

• Chicken Breasts or Thighs: Select fresh, boneless cuts for easy shredding and maximum flavor absorption.

• BBQ Sauce, Chicken Broth: Creates rich, tangy base that tenderizes meat and infuses deep flavor profiles.
• Brown Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness and helps caramelize sauce for complex taste.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Provides bright acidity to balance sweet and savory elements.

• Smoked Paprika, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Builds robust, smoky undertones that enhance overall depth.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Classic seasonings that amplify and round out the dish's flavor.
• Cayenne Pepper: Introduces gentle heat for a subtle spicy kick.

Must-Have Tools for BBQ Pulled Chicken in the Slow Cooker

• Slow cooker: Essential for tender, flavorful pulled chicken cooking.
• Medium mixing bowl: Perfect for combining sauce ingredients smoothly.
• Two forks: Ideal for easily shredding cooked chicken.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure spices and seasonings.
• Measuring cups: Ensures precise liquid and sauce quantities.

How to Prepare the Best Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken

• Prep the Chicken Base

Place chicken pieces at the bottom of your slow cooker, creating a solid foundation for the delicious flavor journey ahead.

• Craft the Flavor Explosion

Whisk together a tangy, sweet sauce combining BBQ sauce, broth, brown sugar, and a blend of zesty spices that will transform ordinary chicken into a mouthwatering masterpiece.

• Slow Cook to Perfection

Pour the vibrant sauce over the chicken, ensuring every piece gets coated. Cover and let the slow cooker work its magic, tenderly breaking down the meat until it’s fall-apart delicious.

• Shred and Soak

Gently pull the chicken apart using two forks, then return the shredded meat back into the sauce. Allow it to simmer and soak up all those incredible flavors for a few extra minutes.

• Serve and Enjoy

Pile the juicy pulled chicken onto warm buns, stuff into tacos, scatter over rice, or pair with crisp coleslaw for a meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Flavor Tips for Better BBQ Pulled Chicken

• Flavor Boosting Tricks: Add a splash of bourbon or liquid smoke to the sauce for an extra depth of flavor that'll make taste buds dance.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the pulled chicken up to 3 days in advance and store in an airtight container, allowing flavors to intensify even more.
• Diet-Friendly Swaps: Use sugar-free BBQ sauce and monk fruit sweetener for a low-carb version that doesn't compromise on taste for keto followers.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust cayenne pepper to make the dish mild for kids or fiery hot for spice lovers – everyone gets their perfect heat level.
• Protein Power Options: Easily swap chicken for turkey or pork to create a versatile recipe that works with different protein preferences and dietary needs.

Serving BBQ Pulled Chicken the Tasty Way

• Sandwich Sensation: Stack the pulled chicken high on soft burger buns with crisp lettuce, sliced pickles, and a drizzle of extra BBQ sauce for a classic comfort meal.
• Taco Night Twist: Wrap the tender chicken in warm corn tortillas, top with fresh cilantro, diced onions, and a squeeze of lime for a zesty Mexican-inspired dinner.
• Rice Bowl Delight: Create a hearty bowl by spooning the BBQ pulled chicken over fluffy white or brown rice, garnished with green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for added texture.
• Coleslaw Combo: Serve the pulled chicken alongside a crunchy homemade coleslaw, letting the creamy, tangy slaw complement the rich, smoky flavors of the BBQ chicken.

How to Store BBQ Pulled Chicken Safely

• Fridge Fresh Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for 35 days, ensuring the chicken stays moist and flavorful without drying out.
• Quick Meal Prep Hack: Portion shredded chicken into freezer-friendly bags, laying flat to save space and create grab-and-go meal components for busy weeks.
• Flavor Boost Tip: Refresh refrigerated chicken by gently reheating with a splash of extra BBQ sauce to restore moisture and enhance the original taste.
• Smart Serving Strategy: Mix remaining pulled chicken with fresh ingredients like salads, nachos, or stuffed peppers to create exciting new meal variations without repetition.

Tender Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken Recipe

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4.9 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Succulent bbq pulled chicken slow-cooks to tender perfection, creating a mouthwatering meal that brings Southern comfort to your table. Juicy shredded chicken glazed with tangy sauce promises a delicious dinner you won’t forget.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs (900g) chicken breasts or thighs (boneless, skinless)
• 1 ½ cups (360ml) BBQ sauce
• ½ cup (120ml) chicken broth
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Arrange chicken pieces evenly at the bottom of the slow cooker to promote consistent heat distribution and optimal cooking.
2. Sauce Creation: Blend BBQ sauce, chicken broth, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper into a harmonious, flavor-packed liquid mixture.
3. Liquid Infusion: Generously coat chicken with the prepared sauce, ensuring complete coverage and maximum flavor penetration.
4. Slow Cooking Process: Cover and cook on low temperature for 6-7 hours or high heat for 3-4 hours, allowing chicken to become supremely tender and infused with rich, complex flavors.
5. Meat Breakdown: Use two forks to expertly shred chicken, transforming it into succulent, pull-apart pieces that demonstrate perfect cooking consistency.
6. Flavor Refinement: Reintegrate shredded chicken into the remaining sauce, letting it marinate and absorb additional flavor nuances for 15-20 minutes.
7. Serving Suggestions: Serve the pulled chicken in diverse presentations – nestled in burger buns, wrapped in tacos, atop rice, or alongside crisp coleslaw for a dynamic culinary experience.

Notes

• Chicken Placement Matters: Arrange chicken pieces evenly at the bottom of the slow cooker to ensure uniform heat distribution and consistent cooking throughout.
• Sauce Consistency is Key: Whisk sauce ingredients thoroughly to create a balanced, well-blended flavor profile that penetrates the meat completely during slow cooking.
• Optimal Cooking Time: Choose between low heat (6-7 hours) or high heat (3-4 hours) based on your schedule, ensuring the chicken becomes fork-tender and easily shredded.
• Flavor Absorption Technique: Allow shredded chicken to rest in the sauce for an additional 15-20 minutes, enabling deeper flavor infusion and maximum moisture retention.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 305
• Sugar: 12g
• Sodium: 690mg
• Fat: 5g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 36g
• Cholesterol: 90mg