Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken: The Ultimate Weeknight Dinner
Are you looking for a simple, delicious, and crowd-pleasing recipe? Look no further than this Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken! This recipe is incredibly easy to make, requires minimal effort, and results in tender, flavorful pulled chicken that’s perfect for sandwiches, salads, tacos, or even just eating straight from the bowl. The slow cooker does all the work, leaving you free to tackle other tasks while a mouthwatering meal simmers away. This recipe is also incredibly versatile, allowing you to customize the sauce and seasonings to your liking. Get ready for a new family favorite that will become a regular on your dinner rotation!
## Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken
* **Effortless:** Seriously, this is one of the easiest recipes you’ll ever make. Just dump the ingredients into the slow cooker, set it, and forget it.
* **Flavorful:** The slow cooking process allows the chicken to absorb all the delicious flavors of the BBQ sauce and seasonings, resulting in incredibly tender and juicy pulled chicken.
* **Versatile:** Use the pulled chicken in sandwiches, salads, tacos, nachos, or even as a pizza topping. The possibilities are endless!
* **Budget-Friendly:** Chicken thighs are typically more affordable than chicken breasts, making this a budget-friendly meal.
* **Meal Prep Friendly:** Make a big batch on the weekend and enjoy pulled chicken throughout the week. It reheats beautifully.
* **Crowd-Pleasing:** This recipe is always a hit with kids and adults alike. It’s perfect for potlucks, parties, and family gatherings.
## Ingredients You’ll Need
* **Chicken:** Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are recommended. They are more flavorful and stay moister than chicken breasts in the slow cooker. You can use chicken breasts if you prefer, but be sure to watch them closely to avoid overcooking.
* **BBQ Sauce:** Use your favorite BBQ sauce! This is where you can really customize the flavor of the dish. Sweet, smoky, tangy – the choice is yours. We recommend a thicker sauce for the best results.
* **Apple Cider Vinegar:** Adds a touch of tanginess that balances the sweetness of the BBQ sauce and helps to tenderize the chicken.
* **Brown Sugar:** Adds sweetness and helps to create a sticky, caramelized sauce.
* **Worcestershire Sauce:** Adds a savory depth of flavor.
* **Garlic Powder:** For a touch of garlicky goodness.
* **Onion Powder:** Adds a subtle onion flavor.
* **Smoked Paprika:** Adds a smoky flavor that complements the BBQ sauce.
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste.
**Optional Add-ins:**
* **Chili Powder:** For a little heat.
* **Cayenne Pepper:** For even more heat.
* **Liquid Smoke:** For a more intense smoky flavor.
* **Onion:** A chopped onion can be added to the slow cooker for extra flavor.
* **Garlic:** Minced garlic cloves will enhance the garlic flavor.
* **Cola or Dr. Pepper:** Adds sweetness and helps to tenderize the chicken (use sparingly).
## Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to make the best slow cooker BBQ pulled chicken:
**Step 1: Prepare the Chicken**
* Trim any excess fat from the chicken thighs. This is optional, but it helps to prevent the chicken from becoming too greasy.
* Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper.
**Step 2: Combine the Ingredients**
* In a slow cooker, combine the BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
* Whisk the ingredients together until well combined. This ensures that the flavors are evenly distributed.
**Step 3: Add the Chicken**
* Place the chicken thighs in the slow cooker, nestling them into the BBQ sauce mixture. Make sure the chicken is mostly submerged in the sauce. You may need to turn the chicken to coat it evenly.
**Step 4: Cook the Chicken**
* Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. The chicken is done when it is easily shredded with a fork.
**Step 5: Shred the Chicken**
* Once the chicken is cooked through, use two forks to shred it directly in the slow cooker. This is the easiest way to shred the chicken while it’s still hot and tender.
**Step 6: Simmer in Sauce**
* After shredding, let the chicken simmer in the sauce for another 15-30 minutes. This allows the chicken to fully absorb the flavors of the sauce and become even more flavorful. If the sauce seems too thin, you can remove the lid and let it simmer for a bit longer to thicken up.
**Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!**
* Serve the pulled chicken on your favorite buns with coleslaw, pickles, and your favorite toppings. Or, get creative and use it in salads, tacos, nachos, or even as a pizza topping!
## Tips for the Best Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken
* **Don’t Overcook the Chicken:** Overcooked chicken will be dry and tough. Check the chicken for doneness after the minimum cooking time and adjust accordingly.
* **Use a Good Quality BBQ Sauce:** The BBQ sauce is the star of the show, so choose a brand and flavor that you love.
* **Adjust the Seasonings to Your Liking:** Feel free to add more or less of any of the seasonings to suit your taste.
* **Don’t Skip the Apple Cider Vinegar:** The apple cider vinegar adds a crucial tanginess that balances the sweetness of the BBQ sauce.
* **Let the Chicken Simmer in the Sauce:** This step is essential for allowing the chicken to fully absorb the flavors of the sauce.
* **Shred the Chicken While It’s Hot:** The chicken is much easier to shred while it’s still hot and tender.
* **Use a Meat Thermometer:** If you want to be absolutely sure the chicken is cooked through, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. It should reach 165°F (74°C).
* **If the Sauce is Too Thin:** If the sauce is too thin after shredding the chicken, remove the lid from the slow cooker and let it simmer for a bit longer to thicken up.
* **If the Sauce is Too Thick:** If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or water to thin it out.
* **For Extra Flavor:** Consider adding a chopped onion or minced garlic cloves to the slow cooker for extra flavor.
## Serving Suggestions
This slow cooker BBQ pulled chicken is incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways:
* **Pulled Chicken Sandwiches:** The classic way to enjoy pulled chicken! Serve it on your favorite buns with coleslaw, pickles, and your favorite BBQ sauce.
* **Pulled Chicken Sliders:** Perfect for parties and gatherings. Serve the pulled chicken on mini slider buns with your favorite toppings.
* **Pulled Chicken Tacos:** A fun and flavorful twist on taco night. Fill tortillas with pulled chicken, shredded lettuce, cheese, and your favorite taco toppings.
* **Pulled Chicken Salads:** Add pulled chicken to your favorite salads for a protein-packed and flavorful meal. It pairs well with greens, corn, black beans, and a tangy vinaigrette.
* **Pulled Chicken Nachos:** Load up tortilla chips with pulled chicken, cheese, jalapenos, and your favorite nacho toppings.
* **Pulled Chicken Pizza:** Use pulled chicken as a topping for homemade or store-bought pizza.
* **Pulled Chicken Baked Potatoes:** Top baked potatoes with pulled chicken, cheese, sour cream, and your favorite toppings.
* **Pulled Chicken Quesadillas:** A quick and easy meal that’s perfect for lunch or dinner.
* **Pulled Chicken Bowls:** Create a delicious and healthy bowl with pulled chicken, rice or quinoa, roasted vegetables, and your favorite sauces.
* **Pulled Chicken Mac and Cheese:** Stir pulled chicken into mac and cheese for a hearty and comforting meal.
## Variations
* **Spicy BBQ Pulled Chicken:** Add chili powder or cayenne pepper to the BBQ sauce for a spicy kick.
* **Sweet BBQ Pulled Chicken:** Use a sweeter BBQ sauce or add more brown sugar to the recipe.
* **Smoky BBQ Pulled Chicken:** Add liquid smoke to the BBQ sauce for a more intense smoky flavor.
* **Honey Garlic BBQ Pulled Chicken:** Add honey and minced garlic to the BBQ sauce for a sweet and savory flavor.
* **Pineapple BBQ Pulled Chicken:** Add crushed pineapple to the BBQ sauce for a tropical twist.
* **Dr. Pepper BBQ Pulled Chicken:** Substitute some of the BBQ sauce with Dr. Pepper for a unique and flavorful twist.
* **Cola BBQ Pulled Chicken:** Substitute some of the BBQ sauce with cola for a sweet and tangy flavor.
## Storage and Reheating Instructions
* **Storage:** Store leftover pulled chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
* **Reheating:** Reheat pulled chicken in the microwave, on the stovetop, or in the oven. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to keep the chicken moist during reheating.
## Make Ahead Instructions
You can easily make this slow cooker BBQ pulled chicken ahead of time. Simply prepare the chicken as directed, cook it in the slow cooker, shred it, and then store it in the refrigerator. Reheat the chicken when you’re ready to serve it.
## Recipe Notes
* For best results, use high-quality BBQ sauce.
* If you don’t have apple cider vinegar, you can substitute it with white vinegar or lemon juice.
* Adjust the amount of brown sugar to your liking, depending on how sweet you want the pulled chicken to be.
* If you want to add some heat to the recipe, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce.
* For a richer flavor, try using dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar.
* If you’re using chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs, be sure to check them for doneness frequently to avoid overcooking.
## Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken Recipe
**Yields:** 6-8 servings
**Prep Time:** 10 minutes
**Cook Time:** 6-8 hours on low, 3-4 hours on high
**Ingredients:**
* 2-3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
* 1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce (your favorite)
* 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
* 2 tablespoons brown sugar
* 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
* 1 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1 teaspoon onion powder
* 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
* Salt and pepper to taste
**Instructions:**
1. Trim any excess fat from the chicken thighs and season with salt and pepper.
2. In a slow cooker, combine BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
3. Place the chicken thighs in the slow cooker, nestling them into the BBQ sauce mixture.
4. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is easily shredded with a fork.
5. Use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker.
6. Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for another 15-30 minutes.
7. Serve on buns with coleslaw, pickles, and your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
## Enjoy Your Delicious and Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken!
This recipe is a winner because it’s so easy to make and the results are always delicious. The slow cooker does all the work, leaving you with tender, flavorful pulled chicken that’s perfect for any occasion. Experiment with different BBQ sauces and seasonings to find your perfect flavor combination. Happy cooking!
This recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight meal, a weekend potluck, or any time you’re craving delicious BBQ pulled chicken. The slow cooker makes it incredibly easy to prepare, and the results are always impressive. So, gather your ingredients, fire up your slow cooker, and get ready to enjoy the best BBQ pulled chicken you’ve ever had!
This recipe is also great for meal prepping. You can make a big batch of pulled chicken on the weekend and then use it in different meals throughout the week. It’s a healthy, delicious, and convenient way to add protein to your diet.
## Final Thoughts
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken is a fantastic recipe for anyone looking for an easy, delicious, and versatile meal. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or any time you want to enjoy flavorful pulled chicken without a lot of effort. The slow cooker does all the work, leaving you free to focus on other things. So, give this recipe a try and see why it’s a favorite among so many home cooks!