Description
This Slow-Cooked Barbecue Chicken recipe delivers tender, juicy, and flavorful shredded chicken infused with a rich smoky barbecue sauce. Perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or served over rice, this easy slow cooker dish requires minimal prep and results in a delicious meal that’s great for busy days or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Sauce
- 1 cup barbecue sauce (use gluten-free if needed)
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker: Place the chicken thighs or breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker, spreading them evenly.
- Make the barbecue sauce mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together barbecue sauce, chicken broth, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Coat the chicken: Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are coated thoroughly.
- Slow cook the chicken: Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Shred the chicken: Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and use two forks to shred it into bite-sized pieces.
- Mix chicken with sauce: Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir it into the remaining barbecue sauce to soak up more flavor.
- Final simmer: Let the shredded chicken cook for an additional 10 minutes in the slow cooker to absorb all the sauce flavors.
- Serve: Serve the barbecue chicken warm on buns for sandwiches, over rice, or alongside your favorite side dishes for a hearty meal.
Notes
- This barbecue chicken works great in sandwiches, wraps, or stuffed baked potatoes.
- Feel free to use your favorite store-bought or homemade barbecue sauce to customize flavor.
- For a flavor boost, add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a pinch of chili powder to the sauce mix.
- Ensure to use gluten-free barbecue sauce if preparing this recipe for a gluten-free diet.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 to 6 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
