Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken ~ easy to make, loaded with barbecue flavor for sandwiches, bbq chicken pizza or quesadillas. With just 5 minutes prep, it’s perfect for busy nights and stress-free entertaining.

You don’t have to wait for a crowd to make this Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken. The recipe is incredibly easy to cut down – or double – according to how many will be around your table.

It covers all the food bases: sweet, savory and ultimately comforting and satisfying. Shredded chicken with bold barbecue flavor heaped onto rolls or Texas Toast (my daughter’s idea!). My family devours this chicken and if there are barbecue fans in your house, they will too!

This easy recipe is made even simpler using your favorite-store bought barbecue sauce and a couple of spices including a splash of liquid smoke that gives the chicken a deep, rich lightly smoky taste. The chicken breasts are turned in the sauce then slow cooked for a few hours, shredded with a fork and folded back into the sauce.

what’s in slow cooker bbq pulled chicken?

store-bought barbecue sauce (Sweet Baby Ray’s sweet and spicy used)
onion
apple cider vinegar
brown sugar
liquid smoke
boneless chicken breasts (or boneless thighs)
salt and pepper

how to make bbq pulled chicken in the slow cooker:

Add the barbecue sauce, diced onion, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar and liquid smoke to the slow cooker then stir to combine.

Place the raw chicken on top of the sauce then turn to coat it and season with salt and pepper.

Cover and cook 3 to 3 1/2 hours on high or 5 to 5 1/2 hours on low. Check it at the earliest time so you don’t overcook the chicken (it’s done when you can easily pull it apart with a fork).

Remove the chicken from the slow cooker onto a cutting board or plate then turn the heat up to high in the slow cooker and let it simmer to reduce further (about 5 minutes).

Shred the chicken then return it to the slow cooker and toss it in the sauce coating well. Serve on rolls or warm, cheesy Texas Toast (found in the freezer section of the grocery store) with cole slaw and pickles or any of the other side suggestions below. NOTE: I sliced the thick Texas Toast for two thinner slices but you can definitely use it as-is!

what goes with pulled chicken?

Potato chips are a great option with these simple sandwiches, but any of the options below are delicious too!

Macaroni and cheese – ultra creamy stovetop or oven baked with a buttery crisp breadcrumb topping.

Baked potato – perfect crispy skin with fluffy soft potato inside – a popular air fryer recipe.

French fries – crispy hand cut French fries cooked in the air fryer with almost no oil!

Potato salad – old fashioned potato salad with crispy bacon and real mayonnaise. My family’s favorite!

What can I do with leftovers?

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, this BBQ Pulled Chicken reheats really well for sandwiches another day. Store it in an air tight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days.

You can also use any leftover barbecue chicken for this Barbecue Chicken Pizza (omg so good!) or quick and easy quesadillas!

Love slow cooker recipes? Try this super easy Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup!

Enjoy!

If you tried this Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken recipe or any other on the blog then I hope you’ll leave a comment and some stars!

Do we share a love of easy, tasty recipes? LIKE ME on FACEBOOK, FOLLOW along on TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST and SUBSCRIBE ⇓ for all the latest.