Making delicious, juicy barbecue chicken in a crockpot is easy and requires minimal active cooking time. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can have amazing homemade BBQ chicken ready for dinner.
Ingredients Needed
- 3-4 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for spicy BBQ chicken)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or water
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Chicken
- Wash the chicken and pat it dry with paper towels. Trim off any excess fat.
- Place the chicken in the slow cooker.
Make the BBQ Sauce
- In a small bowl, stir together the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using).
Add the Remaining Ingredients
- Pour the BBQ sauce mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker.
- Top with the chopped onions.
- Pour the chicken broth or water around the chicken thighs.
Cook the Chicken
- Cover and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours, or on high for 4-5 hours.
- The chicken is done when it shreds easily with a fork.
Shred and Serve
- Once cooked, use two forks to shred the chicken right in the slow cooker.
- Stir to coat the shredded chicken in the BBQ sauce.
- Serve on buns, over rice, with a salad, or however you like!
Tips for the Best Crockpot BBQ Chicken
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the most moist and tender shredded chicken. Breasts work too but may dry out more.
- Add the BBQ sauce ingredients right to the raw chicken so the sauce cooks into the meat.
- Chopped onions add sweetness and moisture. Use yellow or white onions.
- The chicken broth keeps the meat from drying out. Add water if you don’t have broth.
- Cook on low heat for the fullest BBQ flavor. High heat speeds it up if you’re pressed for time.
- Shred the chicken with forks inside the crockpot once fully cooked.
- Let the shredded chicken soak up the sauce after cooking. The flavors meld together.
- Add your favorite BBQ spices like chili powder, chipotle powder, allspice, or celery seed.
- Serve BBQ chicken on buns for sandwiches, stuffed in tortillas, over rice, with coleslaw, or baked potatoes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of barbecue sauce works best?
- Thick, sticky, sweet barbecue sauces work great in the slow cooker. KC Masterpiece, Sweet Baby Ray’s and Stubbs are all excellent options. Homemade sauce works too.
Can I use frozen chicken?
- Yes, frozen chicken can go straight into the slow cooker, no thawing needed. Add 1-2 hours to the cook time.
Do I need to stir the chicken while cooking?
- No stirring required! The chicken will cook evenly in the slow cooker without stirring.
Can I cook it on high for a faster dinner?
- Absolutely. Cooking on high heat for 4-5 hours still gives delicious, fall-off-the-bone chicken.
What liquids can I use besides broth?
- Chicken or vegetable broth are best, but you can also use water, beer, cola, apple juice/cider, or BBQ sauce.
What sides go well with crockpot BBQ chicken?
- BBQ chicken goes great with baked beans, coleslaw, cornbread, mac and cheese, potatoes, corn on the cob, and biscuits.
Conclusion
BBQ chicken made in the crockpot is an easy, mess-free way to feed a crowd with fall-off-the-bone delicious chicken. With minimal prep time and effort up front, you’ll come home to a house filled with the smoky, sweet aroma of barbecue. The chicken turns out incredibly moist and flavorful after a few hours in the slow cooker soaking up that finger-licking good sauce. Serve shredded on buns for sliders, stuffed in tacos, over rice bowls, or however your family likes barbecue chicken. This recipe is sure to become a go-to dinner staple all year long.