Slow Cooker Shredded BBQ Chicken

Name: Slow Cooker Shredded BBQ Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 240 min
Total time: 250 min
Ingredients: 2 1/2 - 3 pounds chicken breasts; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 each salt & pepper; 1/2 sweet onion (finely diced); 1 1/2 cups bbq sauce; Homemade Coleslaw; Hamburger buns

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Slow Cooker Shredded BBQ Chicken takes just 5 minutes to prep and results in the most tender and flavorful meat. Serve it on a bun with coleslaw for a quick and easy meal on busy days.

Shredded bbq chicken on a sandwich with coleslaw.

Shredded BBQ Chicken with the help of your Crock-Pot is one of the easiest kid friendly meals you can make. Enjoy it on a bun, grilled cheese, in a quesadilla, on homemade pizza… For more dump-and-go slow cooker recipes, try Fall-Apart Slow Cooker Pulled Pork, Instant Pot or Slow Cooker Chicken Curry, and 3- Ingredient Kalua Pork.

BBQ Chicken Sandwich

If you’re looking for more simple recipes, this one is for you! All you need is 6 simple ingredients to make this mouth-watering chicken. It makes a lot so it’s plenty for feeding a large family or for having leftovers to use in a different way the second night.

Shredded BBQ Chicken in a white serving bowl.

Ingredients for Shredded BBQ Chicken:

Chicken Breasts– Boneless skinless chicken breasts are lean and work best for this recipe. Bone in will work too and give great flavor, but you’ll want to use 4 pounds to account for the weight of the bone.
Spices– Garlic powder, paprika, and salt & pepper.
Onion– Sweet or yellow onion work well. Chop as small as possible so it softens and isn’t crunchy.
BBQ Sauce– Use your favorite bbq sauce! I prefer Sweet Baby Ray’s Original or my Homemade BBQ Sauce.

Ingredients on a marble surface- spices, onion, bbq sauce, and chicken breasts.

How to make Shredded BBQ Chicken:

Time needed: 4 hours and 10 minutes

Season
Place chicken in the bottom of slow cooker and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Add Sauce
Add diced onions followed by bbq sauce.
Cook
Cover with lid and cook on low for 4-5 hours.
Shred
Shred chicken on a cutting board and add back to slow cooker and mix with sauce.

FAQs

How to serve shredded bbq chicken?

Serve Shredded BBQ Chicken on a bun as a sandwich (I like to add coleslaw for freshness and texture). Serve it on grilled chicken, in salad, in a quesadilla, on homemade pizza, in a rice bowl… There are endless ways to enjoy this tender flavorful chicken!

Do I have to add onions?

No. I like the flavor it adds and they get so soft kids won’t even notice them. If you don’t have a fresh onion, use 2 Tablespoons dried minced onion or 2 teaspoons onion powder.

What side are good with a BBQ Chicken Sandwich?

Fruit is always a great option! Serve with with some Cream Cheese Fruit Dip or make a Summer Fruit Salad, Watermelon Feta Salad, or Lightened Up Grape Salad. To get in more veggies, make Veggie Dip, Crispy Baked Potato Wedges, or Broccoli Bacon Salad.

A bbq chicken sandwich on a plate with potato chips.

TOOLS USED TO MAKE SHREDDED BBQ CHICKEN:

Slow Cooker– This is very similar to the one I use but it has the addition of a lockable lid which is awesome for when you are transporting food for a party or potluck, especially soup.
Cutting Board– I love having various sizes of cutting boards and these are awesome because they won’t slip and slide around on the counter.
Knife Set– This set comes with all the knives you need and they are of great quality (going on 12 years in my home!).

LOOKING FOR MORE SHREDDED CHICKEN? CHECK OUT THESE:

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