Crock Pot BBQ Shredded Chicken

A close up of shredded chicken with bbq sauce made in the crockpot.

Prep Time5

Cook Time6

Total Time6 5

Makes servings

Recipe from: Deanne Frieders | This Farm Girl Cooks

Ingredients

1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 3 large)
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon paprika
½ cup chicken broth
1 cup BBQ sauce plus more for serving
1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 Tablespoon brown sugar

Instructions

Place 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons onion powder and 1 teaspoon paprika.
Pour in ½ cup chicken broth, 1 cup BBQ sauce, 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar, and 1 Tablespoon brown sugar.
Cover and cook: Low for 5–6 hours or High for 3–4 hours
Remove lid and shred chicken with two forks directly in the slow cooker.
Stir to coat in the sauce. Add more BBQ sauce if desired.
Let cook on low for an additional 20–30 minutes to thicken and soak up flavor.

Farm Girl Tips

Here's how you can make your slow cooker bbq chicken the BEST it can be.

Chicken: You can use chicken breasts or thighs in this recipe. Thighs will be a little more tender and forgiving if cooked longer.

If your chicken does seem dry, stir in a little extra BBQ sauce or a splash of chicken broth before serving. Note: it will become less dry when you add it back into the juices.

For easy shredding, use a stand mixer or hand mixer in a large bowl - it makes quick work of shredding the chicken.

BBQ Sauce: Want a stronger BBQ flavor? Add an extra ¼ to ½ cup BBQ sauce after shredding.

This recipe is great for meal prep. Use leftovers for sandwiches, sliders, wraps, or baked potatoes.

Slow Cooker: Cooking time may vary slightly depending on your slow cooker. The newer ones definitely cook faster than my mom's old slow cooker. I used a 4.5 quart crockpot in this recipe. The chicken is done when it reaches 165°F and shreds easily.

Nutrition