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Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

Slow cooker BBQ chicken with tangy, smoky sauce that leaves chicken very tender and easy to shred. Tossed back into the sauce for coating, then served on toasted brioche buns with coleslaw.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 620
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken and BBQ sauce
  • 2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1.5 cup BBQ sauce
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp onion powder
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
  • 1 brioche buns for serving
  • 1 coleslaw for serving

Equipment

  • 1 slow cooker

Method
 

Load the slow cooker
  1. Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker in an even layer.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, and pepper until the sugar dissolves.
Cook
  1. Pour the sauce over the chicken so the pieces are well coated.
  2. Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or on HIGH for 3–4 hours until the chicken is very tender (liquid should be bubbling gently).
Shred and serve
  1. Remove the chicken and shred with two forks until no large chunks remain (steam should rise as you shred).
  2. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and toss with the BBQ sauce until coated and glossy (sauce should cling to the strands).
  3. Serve on toasted brioche buns with coleslaw (sauce should drip and coleslaw should mound on top).

Notes

Pro tip: For extra flavor and better shredding, keep the chicken in large pieces during the first cook, then shred while it’s hot so it pulls into tender strands. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days; reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of sauce. Freezing is yes—freeze shredded chicken (with some sauce) for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the fridge. For a lower-sugar option, use a reduced-sugar or no-sugar-added BBQ sauce and keep the rest of the seasoning the same.