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You are here: Home » Recipes » Slow Cooker Pulled BBQ Chicken

Slow Cooker Pulled BBQ Chicken

Published February 4, 2022. Last Modified March 7, 2022 By Teri

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pulled bbq chicken pin image 1
pulled bbq chicken pin image 1

This is a super simple chicken dinner recipe that takes THREE ingredients and FIVE minutes to make! It always comes out flavorful and perfect. The only tool needed is a slow cooker!

finished bbq chicken breasts in bowl

On so many days, our family is busy and on the go, with sports practices, games and whatnot. This slow cooker BBQ chicken is one of my go-to's for an easy, quick and delicious dinner.

What do I serve with pulled BBQ chicken?

I like to serve this with coleslaw or some yummy buttered corn. A refreshing fruit salad also works well with this recipe.

You can also make other dinners out of this chicken recipe. Sandwiches, pizzas, wraps, salads...the possibilities are really endless! Try this Easy Pulled BBQ Chicken Sandwich for something quick and easy!

What ingredients are needed to make this recipe?

Only 3 ingredients are needed! THREE!!

  • chicken breasts
  • BBQ (barbecue) sauce
  • honey mustard
  • salt and pepper (I don't count these as ingredients!)
  • *you can add some apple cider vinegar if you like your barbecue sauce more tangy
pulled barbecue chicken ingredients

How do you make pulled BBQ chicken ?

seasoning chicken with salt and pepper

Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.

add honey mustard to bbq sauce

Add honey mustard (and apple cider vinegar if you want a more tangy sauce) to your favorite barbecue sauce. I like to add the honey mustard since it gives the chicken an extra boost of flavor with an extra layer of depth. It gives a little Chick-Fil-A sauce vibe, if you love that like my family does!

mixing honey mustard and bbq sauce until blended

This is how the sauce will look.

add chicken to slow cooker

Add the seasoned chicken breasts to a slow cooker or crock pot.

top chicken with bbq sauce mixture

Cover with the sauce mixture.

setting timer on slow cooker

Cook on high for three to four hours.

chicken has finished cooking in slow cooker

This is what the chicken will look like after it is cooked.

shredding chicken in slow cooker with two forks

Shred the chicken with two forks. It will shred pretty easily, since cooking in the slow cooker makes the chicken very tender.

after chicken is done being shredded

The end result! Delicious pulled BBQ chicken your whole family will devour!

Cooks Tips

  • Although this recipe uses chicken breasts, feel free to substitute with boneless, skinless chicken thighs. The extra fat in the dark meat has tons of flavor!
  • If you have trouble finding honey mustard, you can improvise by adding honey to regular mustard, until you get it to taste to your liking. I prefer Dijon mustard when making my own honey mustard, but yellow mustard can work too.
  • If you like your BBQ chicken extra saucy, make extra sauce to serve alongside at dinner. The uncooked sauce will have a different, more strong flavor than the sauce mixed in with the chicken.
  • I prefer to shred the chicken with two forks right in my slow cooker as I don't love to make extra dirty dishes, but there are other ways to do this. I've heard great things about this chicken shredder. A hand mixer (LOVE this retro look and color) or stand mixer will also do the job.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this recipe in advance?

Yes! This can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to two days.C

Can I freeze the cooked chicken?

Yes! After the chicken has cooled, place in a ziploc bag and remove as much air as possible, and store in the freezer for up to four months.

I don't have boneless, skinless chicken breasts. What else can I use?

Great substitutions would be boneless, skinless chicken thighs, a pork shoulder roast, or a pork butt roast.

What temperature should the chicken be when done?

165° F is the proper temperature for cooked poultry.

My sauce is not as thick as I like it. How do I thicken the sauce on my pulled chicken?

If you like your sauce a little thicker, first know that as it cools, it will thicken slightly. If you still think you would like it a little thicker, a cornstarch slurry will help. Combine one tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with two tablespoons of water until there are no lumps, then mix in with the chicken. Let it sit for a minute or two and if it's still not thick enough, add another mixture of the slurry.

Can I put raw chicken in a crockpot or slow cooker?

Yes, since we are cooking the chicken fairly fast (for a slow cooker) and the slow cooker is not overloaded with ingredients that will take a long time to come to a hot temperature. You don't want the chicken sitting at a low temperature for an extended period of time.

finished bbq chicken breasts in bowl

Slow Cooker Pulled BBQ Chicken

This is a super simple chicken dinner recipe that takes THREE ingredients and FIVE minutes to make! It always comes out flavorful and perfect. The only tool needed is a slow cooker!
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 223kcal
Author: Teri
Cost: $18

Equipment

  • chicken shredder
  • slow cooker

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce
  • ½ cup honey mustard
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar optional
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper
  • Mix barbecue sauce, honey mustard and apple cider vinegar (if using).
  • Add chicken breasts to slow cooker or crock pot.
  • Pour sauce over chicken breasts.
  • Cook on high for 3-4 hours. Cook chicken to 165°F.
  • Shred chicken with two forks when done.

Notes

*Although this recipe uses chicken breasts, feel free to substitute with boneless, skinless chicken thighs. The extra fat in the dark meat has tons of flavor! Pork shoulder roast or pork butt roast also works well!
*If you have trouble finding honey mustard, you can improvise by adding honey to regular mustard, until you get it to taste to your liking. I prefer Dijon mustard when making my own honey mustard, but yellow mustard can work too.
*If you like your BBQ chicken extra saucy, make extra sauce to serve alongside at dinner. The uncooked sauce will have a different, more strong flavor than the sauce mixed in with the chicken.
*I prefer to shred the chicken with two forks right in my slow cooker as I don't love to make extra dirty dishes, but there are other ways to do this. I've heard great things about this chicken shredder. A hand mixer (LOVE this retro look and color) or stand mixer will also do the job.

Nutrition

Calories: 223kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 722mg | Potassium: 506mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 114IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you try this recipe?Mention @ASprinkleAndASplash or tag #asprinkleandasplash! I'd love to see your finished recipe!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Naomi

    February 04, 2022 at 4:43 pm

    5 stars
    Would this work for cubed chicken as well?

    Reply
    • Teri

      February 07, 2022 at 12:48 am

      You would need to reduce the cooking time, although I'm not sure by how long. I'm not a fan of cubed chicken! You can try it, but then you won't be able to "pull" the chicken. Let me know how it goes!

      Reply
      • Naomi

        February 12, 2022 at 5:00 pm

        I think I will stick with the pulled option!

        Reply
  2. Monna Ellithorpe

    February 05, 2022 at 11:54 pm

    5 stars
    As rarely as I cook, your site and directions make it seem so easy. I'm going to be trying a few of your recipes. Thanks for sharing all you do.

    Reply

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