Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Recipe

If you’re looking for an easy slow cooker BBQ chicken recipe that makes a big batch and is perfect for busy weeknights, this one is definitely worth adding to your dinner rotation! This crockpot BBQ chicken is incredibly simple to make, requires minimal prep, and comes out tender, juicy, and packed with delicious barbecue flavor.

Y’all may remember a few months ago when I shared The Pioneer Woman’s slow cooker spaghetti sauce recipe, and since that recipe was such a hit, I figured it was time to share another one of my favorite Pioneer Woman slow cooker recipes!

I absolutely love Crockpot recipes like this because you can add everything to the slow cooker, turn it on, and go about your day without having to worry about dinner. And this recipe makes a lot of BBQ chicken, which is another reason I love it so much. We can enjoy it for dinner and then I can freeze the leftovers for an easy meal later.

This shredded BBQ chicken is perfect for sandwiches, BBQ chicken sliders, meal prep, or serving alongside your favorite vegetables and potatoes. It’s also a great recipe to make for parties, cookouts, family gatherings, or anytime you need to feed a crowd.

If you want to make this easy slow cooker BBQ chicken, keep reading for the full recipe!

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Ingredients for Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

One of the best things about this easy crockpot BBQ chicken recipe is that you only need a handful of simple ingredients!

• 8 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 8-10 garlic cloves
• one 40 ounce bottle of barbecue sauce

This recipe is so simple and easy to make, and it has quickly become a favorite around here. I originally got the recipe from The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Come and Get It cookbook.

How to Make Crockpot BBQ Chicken

This slow cooker shredded BBQ chicken requires very little hands-on prep, which makes it perfect for busy days.

Step 1: Add the Chicken and Seasonings

Start by placing all of the chicken breasts inside your crockpot. Sprinkle the chili powder, kosher salt, and black pepper evenly over the chicken.

Add the sliced onion and garlic cloves.

Step 2: Add the BBQ Sauce and Water

Pour 1 cup of barbecue sauce over the chicken. Be sure to save the rest of the BBQ sauce for later.

Then pour 1 cup of water into the slow cooker.

Place the lid on the crockpot and cook on high for 4 hours, stirring about halfway through cooking.

Step 3: Shred the Chicken

Once the chicken is finished cooking, carefully remove it from the slow cooker and let it cool for a few minutes.

Then shred the chicken using two forks or your preferred method.

Step 4: Strain the Cooking Liquid

Pour the cooking liquid from the slow cooker through a fine-mesh sieve placed over a bowl. Be sure to reserve 1 cup of the cooking liquid, along with the cooked onions and garlic.

Step 5: Add Everything Back to the Crockpot

Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.

Pour the remaining barbecue sauce over the chicken, then add the reserved onions, garlic, and 1 cup of the cooking liquid.

Stir everything together until well combined.

And that’s it! You now have delicious, tender homemade shredded BBQ chicken ready to serve.

How to Serve Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

There are so many delicious ways to serve this easy BBQ chicken recipe!

My favorite way is to pile the shredded chicken onto a soft hamburger bun and serve it with fries or chips. You can also top your BBQ chicken sandwich with creamy coleslaw for a delicious combination of sweet, savory, and crunchy flavors.

If you like a little heat, add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce. You can also add about 1 cup of sliced pickled jalapeños to the slow cooker at the beginning of the cooking process for an extra spicy kick.

Looking for a lighter dinner option? Skip the bun and serve the BBQ chicken alongside roasted sweet potatoes and broccoli. It’s an easy way to turn this recipe into a hearty weeknight dinner.

How Much BBQ Chicken Does This Recipe Make?

This recipe makes a large batch of shredded BBQ chicken—about 12–15 servings depending on portion size.

That’s one of my favorite things about making this recipe! It’s perfect if you’re feeding a crowd, hosting a gathering, or simply want to have plenty of leftovers for easy meals throughout the week.

How to Freeze BBQ Chicken

Since this recipe makes so many servings, I usually freeze the leftovers for future easy weeknight meals.

To freeze the BBQ chicken, simply divide the chicken into freezer-safe bags. I like to portion out enough for approximately 2 servings per bag, which makes it easy to grab exactly what I need for dinner later.

Squeeze as much air as possible out of each bag before sealing. Label each bag with the date and place it in the freezer.

When you’re ready for an easy dinner, simply pull a bag of BBQ chicken from the freezer and thaw it before reheating.

Why I Love This Freezer-Friendly BBQ Chicken

• Makes approximately 12–15 servings
• Great for meal prep
• Freezer-friendly
• Perfect for busy weeknights
• Easy to make in the slow cooker
• Great for feeding a crowd
• Works for sandwiches, bowls, or dinner plates

Easy Crockpot BBQ Chicken for Busy Weeknights

See how easy this recipe is?! It may not look like much, but trust me—this slow cooker BBQ chicken is absolutely delicious!

I love recipes that require very little effort but still result in a comforting, homemade dinner. Being able to throw everything into the crockpot, let it cook while I go about my day, and end up with enough food for several meals is definitely my kind of cooking.

And having extra shredded BBQ chicken in the freezer makes busy weeknights so much easier.

If you make this recipe, let me know how it turns out in the comments below! I’d love to hear how you served your BBQ chicken.