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Home Method Slow Cooker

BBQ Crockpot Pulled Chicken

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By: Diana Published on August 6, 2025

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

a bbq pulled chicken sandwich topped with slaw on a soft roll. Text overlay says "slow cooker pulled bbq chicken"

Tender, flavorful pulled chicken made easy in the slow cooker with pantry spices and your favorite barbecue sauce. It’s perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or bowls.

bbq crockpot pulled chicken with two forks in a black pot.


Diana, author of Little Sunny Kitchen.

Busy Schedule? Use your Crockpot!

There’s nothing I love more than a delicious and easy slow cooker recipe that saves me tons of time in the kitchen.

This recipe for BBQ Pulled Chicken uses just a handful of ingredients, requires minimal prep time, and is almost completely hands-off until the very end!

It’s even easier to make ahead for meal prep! I use the delicious, saucy, shredded chicken to make BBQ chicken sandwiches, or as a topping for baked potatoes, salads, tacos, or even pizzas on nights when I just don’t have the energy for cooking a fancy meal.

Ingredient Notes

ingredients for bbq crockpot pulled chicken, including a bowl of raw chicken breasts, a cup of BBQ sauce, and small glass bowls of seasonings.

Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

  • Chicken Breasts: Pulled chicken recipes like this one work best with boneless, skinless chicken breasts. The long, slow cooking time will ensure that they are juicy and delicious. Bone-in chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs can also be used, but will take a bit longer to cook in the Crock Pot.
  • BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite bottled sauce for this recipe! The flavor of your slow cooker BBQ chicken can be adjusted depending on the style of sauce that you choose. Choose something sweet, like a honey barbecue, or try a spicy BBQ version. Homemade barbecue sauce also works well.
  • Seasonings: Light brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder enhance the flavors in the BBQ sauce.

Tip!

You don’t need to add any extra liquid to the Crockpot! Chicken breasts release moisture as they cook, giving this pulled chicken the perfect amount of sauciness.

a soft roll filled with bbq chicken and creamy coleslaw. the sandwich sits on a rounded wooden cutting board next to potato chips.

Crockpot Pulled Chicken Recipe Tips

  • Cook the chicken in the crockpot until it is fully cooked and easily pulled apart. Plan on 2-3 hours on the High setting or 5-6 hours on Low.
  • Overcooked chicken in the crockpot will be dry and tough. Use a meat thermometer to ensure that you aren’t cooking the meat much past the 165°F or 75°C point.
  • There are many ways to shred chicken breasts! I like to do it by hand with a couple of forks, but you can also use your fingers, or use your electric mixer on low. If it’s easier, remove the chicken from the crockpot onto a cutting board to shred it, then add the meat back to the sauce before serving.
  • My favorite way to serve this BBQ pulled chicken is on sandwiches, paired with creamy cole slaw, dressed up with pickles, sliced jalapenos, or red onions for a bit of crunch. Barbecue chicken also makes a delicious topping for baked potatoes, wraps, or rice bowls.
  • For a lower-carb option, serve pulled BBQ chicken in lettuce wraps or with a side of grilled veggies.

More Easy Crock Pot Recipes

Slow Cooker Carnitas

Slow Cooker Peppers and Sausage

Crockpot Chicken Thighs

Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Meatballs with Gnocchi

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Recipe
bbq crockpot pulled chicken with two forks in a black pot.
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BBQ Crockpot Pulled Chicken

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Cook Time: 3 hours hrs
Total Time: 3 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
Author: Diana
Print Rate Recipe
This slow cooker pulled chicken recipe is so simple to make. Add all of the ingredients to the Crockpot and press start! Serve BBQ pulled chicken on sandwiches, wraps, or baked potatoes.
6 Servings
This slow cooker pulled chicken recipe is so simple to make. Add all of the ingredients to the Crockpot and press start! Serve BBQ pulled chicken on sandwiches, wraps, or baked potatoes.

Equipment

  • Slow cooker
  • cutting board
  • Two forks or shredding claws

Ingredients 

  • 2 pounds (900 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1¼ cups (300 ml) barbecue sauce
  • 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder

Instructions 

  • Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of a slow cooker. Sprinkle with brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
    chicken breasts in a crockpot liner seasoned with spices.
  • Pour the barbecue sauce over the top, then toss everything together until the chicken is evenly coated.
    bbq sauce coating four raw chicken breasts in a crockpot.
  • Cover and cook on high for 2 to 3 hours or on low for 5 to 6 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
    four bbq chicken breasts cooking in a crockpot.
  • Shred the chicken using two forks directly in the crockpot, or remove to a cutting board, shred, and return to the sauce.
    bbq chicken pulled apart by two forks in a slow cooker.
  • Stir to fully coat the shredded chicken in the sauce.
  • Serve warm on brioche buns with coleslaw, or use in wraps, baked potatoes, or bowls.

Notes:

  • You can use bone-in chicken, but it will take longer to cook fully. 
  • Do not add frozen chicken breasts directly to the slow cooker. If using frozen chicken, allow it to thaw safely in the fridge before using. 
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze pulled chicken for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating and serving.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 284kcal, Carbohydrates: 27g, Protein: 33g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.02g, Cholesterol: 97mg, Sodium: 790mg, Potassium: 709mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 22g, Vitamin A: 261IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 30mg, Iron: 1mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Little Sunny Kitchen

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pulled bbq chicken in a crockpot

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