Description
This Slow Cooker Pulled BBQ Chicken recipe offers a flavorful, easy-to-make meal perfect for busy days. Tender chicken breasts are slow-cooked in a sweet and smoky barbecue sauce infused with spices, then shredded and mixed with the sauce for a juicy, mouthwatering pulled chicken ideal for sandwiches, wraps, salads, or tacos.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Sauce and Seasonings
- 1 18-oz bottle Sweet Baby Ray’s Hickory & Brown Sugar Barbecue Sauce
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp chipotle chili powder
- 1/4 tsp ground white pepper
Optional
- Slow cooker liner (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Place the thawed chicken breasts inside the slow cooker and set the slow cooker to low heat to begin the cooking process.
- Make BBQ Sauce Mixture: In a separate bowl, thoroughly combine the barbecue sauce, light brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, chipotle chili powder, and ground white pepper until well blended.
- Coat Chicken: Pour the prepared BBQ sauce mixture evenly over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker, ensuring all pieces are fully coated with the sauce.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook the chicken for 6 to 7 hours on low heat or alternatively 3 to 4 hours on high heat, until the chicken is tender and easily shredded.
- Shred Chicken: Once cooked, shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker using two forks and mix it thoroughly with the remaining sauce to maximize flavor absorption.
- Serve: Serve the pulled BBQ chicken hot on toasted, buttered buns for sandwiches, or incorporate it into wraps, salads, or tacos for a variety of delicious meals.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken breasts are fully thawed before placing them in the slow cooker to guarantee even cooking.
- Using a slow cooker liner can help with easier cleanup but is optional.
- Adjust the spice level by modifying the amount of chipotle chili powder to your taste preference.
- Leftover pulled chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- For extra smoky flavor, consider adding a dash of liquid smoke to the BBQ sauce mixture.
