This easy crockpot-pulled chicken is shredded chicken with bbq sauce cooked up tender and juicy in the crockpot. Use this crockpot bbq chicken in tacos, salads, burrito bowls, chicken enchiladas, and lettuce wraps.
I love to serve it with broccoli coleslaw and homemade mac and cheese. We love it piled high soft brioche buns, but if you are watching your carbs, simply spoon some of the broccoli slaw on top of your pulled chicken and get at it.
How to make crock pot pulled chicken
Simply add barbecue sauce, onion, tomato paste, Worcestershire Sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika to a small crock pot and stir to combine. Then cook on low for 2-3 hours or until it shreds easily with two forks.
Recipe notes and helpful tips
- The recipe calls for Kansas City-style barbecue sauce, but you can use a sweet barbecue sauce like Sweet Baby Rays. I love less sweet semi-spicy barbecue sauce with tons of flavor but use what makes you happy.
- If your barbecue sauce is really sweet, skip the brown sugar and add a little lemon juice or lime juice.
- Kick up the heat with a little cumin, cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or minced jalapeno.
- Making coleslaw with this is a must. I find that the crunchy broccoli slaw holds up better to the warmth and hardiness of this chicken. For extra flavor, toss in a few red onions.
- I like to toast the buns right before I serve. Once I layer the chicken and the slaw on the buns, I serve immediately, as no one likes a soggy bun.
- Chicken puts off moisture when it is slow-cooked, so use tongs to pull the chicken out of the slow cooker, or carefully drain a little of the moisture out and add another quarter cup of barbecue sauce or so!
- Use the pulled chicken for nachos, quesadillas, soups, and casseroles.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat leftovers in the microwave at reduced power.
- Double the recipe and freeze half of it for up to 2 months. Completely cool the dish and spoon it into a zipper freezer bag removing as much of the air as possible. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
How to make this pulled chicken in the instant pot
Place all the ingredients in the instant pot. Seal and pressure cook on high for 10 minutes. Then turn the instant pot off and let it naturally release for 10 minutes. Use the quick release and open the instant pot. Shred the chicken using 2 forks.
Other chicken recipes you will love!
Crock Pot Pulled Chicken
Mouthwatering, good pulled chicken made easy with six simple ingredients in the crock pot. Serve on toasted buns with coleslaw, or for a lower-carb version simply add the slaw to a layer of pulled chicken.
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Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 270kcal
Ingredients
- 4 large boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs
- 2 cups Kansas City style barbecue sauce
- 1 medium onion minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- kosher salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add barbecue sauce, onion, tomato paste, Worcestershire Sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika to a small crock pot and stir to combine. I use a 3-quart crock pot.
- Add chicken and spoon a little of the sauce over the top.
- Cook on low for 2-2 1/2 hours or until it shreds easily with a couple of forks.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste
Notes
- The recipe calls for Kansas City-style barbecue sauce, but you can use a sweet barbecue sauce like Sweet Baby Rays. I love less sweet semi-spicy barbecue sauce with tons of flavor but use what makes you happy.
- If your barbecue sauce is really sweet, skip the brown sugar and add a little lemon juice or lime juice.
- Kick up the heat with a little cumin, cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or minced jalapeno.
- Making coleslaw with this is a must. I find that the crunchy broccoli slaw holds up better to the warmth and hardiness of this chicken. For extra flavor, toss in a few red onions.
- I like to toast the buns right before I serve. Once I layer the chicken and the slaw on the buns, I serve immediately, as no one likes a soggy bun.
- Chicken puts off moisture when it is slow-cooked, so use tongs to pull the chicken out of the slow cooker, or carefully drain a little of the moisture out and add another quarter cup of barbecue sauce or so!
- Use the pulled chicken for nachos, quesadillas, soups, and casseroles.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat leftovers in the microwave at reduced power.
- Double the recipe and freeze half of it for up to 2 months. Completely cool the dish and spoon it into a zipper freezer bag removing as much of the air as possible. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Nutrition
Calories: 270kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 928mg | Potassium: 670mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 288IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1mg
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Cate
How can sugars be reduced for diabetic family and friends?
Beth Pierce
Omit the brown sugar and use a barbecue sauce that is very low in sugar.
Julia
This pulled chicken is delicious and I agree coleslaw is a must here!!
Heather
This is a family favorite! My kids tend to prefer the pulled chicken to pork so this recipe is great.
Trang
Delicious! This is actually perfect for big gatherings. You can’t go wrong with chicken and even picky kids love it.
Suzy
I am loving how hands off this chicken is! Perfect weeknight meal!
Wilhelmina
Delicious! This yummy pulled chicken is so easy and it’s great for a crowd. It works so well to make a batch and then I can send it in my husbands lunch. He loves it!
Toni
This was really amazing! Everyone at my house loved it!
Lindsay Cotter
This is going on dinner repeat!! So easy thanks to the crock pot!!
Laura
Such a delicious and easy meal for summer!
Lauren k
This is one of my favorite go-to recipes for busy weeknights! Thank you!
Julie
Chicken skinned and boned or bone and skin in???
Thanks!
Beth Pierce
Sorry boneless skinless chicken breasts!
Ash
Can the chicken be frozen?
Beth Pierce
Yes it can
Jacque
I love it when I can have a delicious dinner that the slow cooker does all the hard work.
Allyson Zea
Wow this chicken looks AMAZING!
Erin
YUM!!! I love this delicious version!!!
Kimberly
There’s always a place on my table for finger-licking pulled chicken – this looks fabulous!
Dorothy Reinhold
This will be perfect for these crazy busy weeknights. This will make my crew happy campers!