slow cooker BBQ Chicken is sweet, saucy, and melt-in-your-mouth tender. Pile it on a bun with crunchy slaw!
author’s note
The Juiciest slow cooker BBQ Chicken!
BBQ Chicken is one of those meals my whole family gets excited about. We make it on the grill and smoker a lot, but there are plenty of nights when I don’t want to deal with either. Sometimes it’s freezing outside, sometimes we’re busy, and sometimes I just want dinner cooking without having to think about it.
That’s how this slow cooker BBQ Chicken came together.
I built the sauce from a reliable BBQ flavors, using a mix of ketchup, BBQ sauce, broth, vinegar, mustard, Worcestershire, and spices instead of a full bottle of sauce. It still delivers all the BBQ flavor, but tastes more from-scratch.
I use chicken thighs because they stay tender in the slow cooker and shred easily without drying out.
Once cooked, I shred the chicken back into the sauce. You can serve it as-is, but It is satisfying to it piled on a buttered toasted bun with crunchy slaw and sliced avocado—toppings that take it over the top.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Tips & Swaps |
|---|---|
| Chicken thighs | Trim off large pieces of fat or gristle, but don’t worry about removing every bit of fat. |
| BBQ sauce | Use one you already know you love. The flavor will come through in the finished chicken, so this isn’t the place for a bottle you don’t enjoy on its own. |
| Ketchup | Gives the sauce body, sweetness, and a smooth tomato base. |
| Seasonings | Cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder all work together to build a balanced smoky BBQ flavor. |
| Worcestershire & apple cider vinegar | Apple cider vinegar and Worcestershire sauce add tang and depth to the sauce. |
| Chicken broth | Loosens the sauce enough for slow cooking without making it overly heavy. |
How To Make slow cooker BBQ Chicken
- Make the sauce: Whisk the BBQ sauce ingredients together in the slow cooker.
- Add chicken: Add the chicken thighs and turn to coat in the sauce.
- Slow cook: Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or high for 2 to 3 hours.
- Shred: Remove the chicken, shred it, then stir it back into the sauce.
- Serve: Pile onto toasted buns with slaw (You might recognize this slaw from my hot honey chicken bowls!) and avocado, or serve however you like.
Not into BBQ sandwiches? Try these ideas:
- Make a BBQ chicken wrap.
- Add it to a BBQ chicken salad.
- Turn it into BBQ chicken tacos.
- Serve it over rice.
chelsea’s recipe tip
What To Serve With slow cooker BBQ Chicken
- Potato Salad is a reliable BBQ side!
- Baked Beans are sweet, smoky, and pair evenly.
- Corn on the Cob, pickle spears, or potato chips make straightforward sides.
- Sweet Potato or French Fries are always a hit.
- Pasta Salad is a fun and classic BBQ side.
Storage
- Chicken store in the fridge for 3-5 days and reheat in a skillet or microwave.
- Slaw keep in a separate container and use within 1-2 days.
- Buns store in a sealed bag and toast fresh when ready to use.
- Avocado slice fresh right before serving with the slow cooker bbq chicken to avoid browning.
More straightforward Slow Cooker Recipes:
Dinner
slow cooker Cowboy Casserole
Dinner
Shredded Beef Enchiladas (slow cooker or Instant Pot)
Dinner
slow cooker Mississippi Pot Roast
Soups And Stews
Chicken Corn Chowder Recipe
