Crockpot BBQ Chicken is the quintessential comfort food – effortlessly sweet, wonderfully saucy, and irresistibly melt-in-your-mouth tender. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for piling high on toasted buns with a crisp, refreshing slaw, making it an instant crowd-pleaser for any gathering or a simple, satisfying weeknight dinner.
Effortless Perfection: Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
Barbecue chicken holds a special place in my heart and is a consistent favorite with my family. While grilling or smoking often comes to mind, sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate, or I simply crave a more hands-off approach. That’s where the magic of the slow cooker comes into play, transforming simple ingredients into a deeply flavorful meal with minimal fuss.
This recipe takes the essence of classic BBQ chicken and adapts it for the slow cooker, delivering consistently juicy and tender results every time. We begin with a robust, flavorful BBQ sauce as our foundation, ensuring every strand of chicken is coated in a delicious, savory-sweet glaze. For the protein, I specifically choose chicken thighs. Their inherent fat content not only infuses the dish with incredible flavor but also guarantees they remain incredibly moist and tender after hours of slow cooking, making them perfect for shredding.
For those aiming for absolute perfection, consider using a slow cooker equipped with a built-in thermometer probe. This clever feature allows you to monitor the internal temperature of the chicken without lifting the lid, ensuring it cooks to the ideal doneness every single time. The result? Perfectly cooked, juicy chicken that’s never dry, ready to be shredded and enjoyed.
Key Ingredients for Your Tender BBQ Chicken
Crafting the perfect Crockpot BBQ Chicken starts with selecting the right ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building the layered flavors and achieving that signature tender texture. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to create this culinary masterpiece:
- Ketchup and BBQ Sauce: These form the sweet and tangy base of our sauce. Ketchup provides a rich tomato foundation and sweetness, while your favorite BBQ sauce adds depth, smoky notes, and that unmistakable barbecue flavor. Feel free to use a store-bought favorite or your own homemade BBQ sauce for a personalized touch.
- Chicken Broth: Essential for keeping the chicken incredibly moist throughout the slow cooking process. It also helps to thin the sauce slightly, allowing it to permeate every fiber of the chicken.
- Yellow Mustard, Worcestershire Sauce, and Apple Cider Vinegar: This trio is crucial for balancing the sweetness of the ketchup and BBQ sauce. Mustard adds a subtle tang and emulsifies the sauce, Worcestershire sauce brings a complex umami depth, and apple cider vinegar provides a bright, acidic counterpoint that elevates the entire flavor profile.
- Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Ground Cumin, and Paprika: These spices are the heart of our seasoning blend, infusing the chicken with aromatic warmth and a classic barbecue spice kick. Garlic and onion powder offer savory notes, cumin adds an earthy depth, and paprika contributes a mild pepperiness and beautiful color.
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs: The star of the show! Chicken thighs are inherently more flavorful and forgiving than chicken breasts. Their higher fat content ensures they stay incredibly juicy and tender during slow cooking, making them perfectly suited for shredding into luscious BBQ chicken.
This Crockpot BBQ Chicken is absolutely sensational straight from the slow cooker, but its true potential shines when transformed into a hearty sandwich. Pile it generously on a toasted bun with a crunchy coleslaw and creamy avocado, and you’ll experience a flavor and texture combination that reaches a whole new level of deliciousness!
Crafting the Ultimate BBQ Chicken Sandwich & Other Serving Inspirations
While this slow cooker BBQ chicken is incredibly versatile, my absolute favorite way to enjoy this sweet and saucy creation is nestled between two perfectly toasted buns, transforming it into the ultimate BBQ chicken sandwich. Here’s how to build this masterpiece:
- Prepare Your Buns: Start with sturdy buns that can hold up to the generous filling – brioche buns are my personal go-to for their rich flavor and soft texture. Lightly butter the insides of the buns before toasting them on a skillet or griddle until golden brown and slightly crispy. This adds an extra layer of flavor and prevents sogginess.
- Add Creamy Avocado (Optional, but Recommended!): For an extra layer of richness and a refreshing counterpoint, thinly slice a ripe avocado and gently smash it onto the bottom bun. The creamy texture perfectly complements the tangy chicken.
- Pile on the Flavor: Generously spoon the saucy Crockpot BBQ Chicken onto the avocado layer. Don’t be shy – the more chicken, the better!
- Top with Crunchy Slaw: Finish your sandwich with a hefty dollop of crisp coleslaw. The cool, crunchy slaw provides a fantastic textural contrast and a refreshing zing that cuts through the richness of the BBQ chicken.
To keep things wonderfully simple (because it’s a crockpot recipe, after all!), I often whip up a quick and easy coleslaw with ingredients that echo the flavors in the BBQ sauce. You might even recognize this fantastic slaw from my popular hot honey chicken bowls!
Not in the mood for a classic BBQ chicken sandwich? No problem! This incredibly versatile shredded BBQ chicken can be enjoyed in a multitude of delicious ways:
- BBQ Chicken Wraps: Spoon the chicken into large tortillas with lettuce, cheese, and perhaps a drizzle of ranch for a quick and satisfying BBQ chicken wrap.
- BBQ Chicken Salad: Create a vibrant and flavorful BBQ chicken salad by serving the chicken over a bed of mixed greens with corn, black beans, tomatoes, and a creamy avocado-cilantro dressing.
- BBQ Chicken Tacos: Turn your slow cooker chicken into a festive meal by filling soft or hard taco shells with the BBQ chicken, shredded cabbage, a squeeze of lime, and your favorite taco toppings for delicious BBQ chicken tacos.
- Served Over Rice: For a hearty and comforting meal, serve the saucy BBQ chicken over a bed of fluffy white rice or quinoa. It’s a complete meal that’s both filling and incredibly flavorful.
Perfect Pairings: What To Serve With Crockpot BBQ Chicken
Complement your amazing Crockpot BBQ Chicken with these delicious and easy-to-make side dishes, perfect for rounding out any meal, especially a barbecue-inspired feast:
- Classic Potato Salad: A creamy, tangy potato salad is the ultimate BBQ companion, offering a cooling contrast to the warm, saucy chicken. It’s a nostalgic favorite that always hits the spot.
- Sweet and Smoky Baked Beans: Rich, sweet, and smoky baked beans are a quintessential barbecue side that perfectly echoes the flavors of the BBQ chicken.
- Grilled Corn on the Cob: Sweet corn on the cob, whether grilled or boiled, provides a refreshing and vibrant side. For added flavor, slather it with butter and a sprinkle of chili powder.
- Crisp Pickle Spears or Potato Chips: For simple, satisfying crunch, serve alongside crisp pickle spears or your favorite potato chips. These easy sides add texture and a pleasant tang.
- Sweet Potato or French Fries: A basket of golden sweet potato fries or classic French fries are always a crowd-pleaser, especially when serving sandwiches.
- Light Pasta Salad: A refreshing pasta salad with fresh vegetables like corn, zucchini, and avocado offers a lighter, yet flavorful option that complements the richness of the chicken.
Storage Tips for Leftovers
How to Store Your Delicious Crockpot BBQ Chicken
Proper storage ensures you can enjoy your leftovers for days to come. Here’s how to keep everything fresh:
- BBQ Chicken: Store any leftover shredded BBQ chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of broth or water to prevent drying, or warm in the microwave until heated through.
- Coleslaw: Keep the coleslaw in a separate airtight container in the fridge and consume within 1-2 days for best texture. The dressing can cause the cabbage to soften over time.
- Buns: Store leftover buns in a sealed bag at room temperature to maintain freshness. Toast them fresh just before serving to regain their desired crispness.
- Avocado: To prevent browning, it’s best to slice fresh avocado right before assembling your sandwiches. If you have leftover avocado, squeeze a little lime or lemon juice over it and store it in an airtight container to minimize oxidation.
Explore More Easy Slow Cooker Recipes
If you love the convenience and delicious results of slow cooker cooking, you’re in luck! Here are more of my favorite effortless slow cooker recipes that deliver hearty, flavorful meals with minimal effort:
- Crockpot Cowboy Casserole: A hearty, comforting dish featuring Italian sausage and classic casserole flavors.
- Shredded Beef Enchiladas: Transform a chuck roast into incredibly tender, flavorful shredded beef perfect for enchiladas.
- Mississippi Pot Roast: A supremely tender, savory pot roast that’s fantastic served over creamy mashed potatoes.
- Chicken Corn Chowder: A cozy and flavorful chowder with a delicious Mexican street corn twist and black beans.
- Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Recipe: Enjoy this fan-favorite sweet pork, perfectly complemented by a creamy cilantro-lime sauce.
BBQ Chicken Sandwich
Video
Video Placeholder: Watch how to make this delicious Crockpot BBQ Chicken!
Equipment
- 6-quart Crock-Pot
6-quart slow cooker - Pan
or griddle for toasting buns
Ingredients
-
1/2 cup ketchup -
1/2 cup BBQ sauce -
1/4 cup chicken broth -
1-1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce -
1-1/2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar -
1 teaspoon yellow mustard -
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin -
1 teaspoon paprika -
1 teaspoon garlic powder -
1 teaspoon onion powder -
1-1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
-
1/2 cup mayo -
1 tablespoon yellow mustard -
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar -
1 tablespoon honey or white sugar -
3 cups shredded red cabbage -
1 cup shredded carrots
-
4 buns plus softened butter -
1 large ripe avocado optional
Instructions
- Begin by adding all chicken ingredients (except the chicken thighs) to your slow cooker. Whisk them together thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well combined, forming your delicious BBQ sauce. Next, prepare the chicken thighs by trimming away only the largest pieces of excess fat or gristle; there’s no need for meticulous trimming. Place the chicken thighs into the slow cooker, flipping them gently to ensure they are fully coated in the sauce. Arrange them in an even layer with the smoother side facing down. Cook on the low setting for 4–6 hours or on the high setting for 2–3 hours, until the chicken is incredibly tender and easily shreddable.
- Once the chicken is perfectly cooked, carefully remove it from the slow cooker. Using two forks, easily shred the tender chicken into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir it back into the rich, flavorful BBQ sauce, ensuring every piece is generously coated.
- To make the slaw: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, and honey (or white sugar) until the dressing is smooth and creamy. Season the dressing with approximately 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, adjusting to taste. Add the shredded red cabbage and carrots to the bowl, then use tongs to toss everything together until the vegetables are thoroughly coated in the dressing. Chill the slaw in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve. Remember to give it another good toss just before adding it to your sandwiches.
- Prepare your buns for serving. Spread a thin layer of softened butter on the insides of the buns (adjusting the amount to your personal preference). Place the buttered buns on a skillet or griddle over medium heat and toast them until they are beautifully golden brown and lightly crisp. This step adds wonderful texture and flavor to your sandwich.
- To assemble your ultimate BBQ chicken sandwich, start by adding sliced avocado (if you’re using it) to the bottom half of a toasted bun. Use a slotted spoon to pile a generous amount of the saucy, shredded BBQ chicken on top of the avocado, allowing any excess sauce to drain slightly. Finish by topping the chicken with a heap of the crisp coleslaw, then cap it with the other half of the bun. Serve immediately and enjoy every flavorful bite!
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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