why make this recipe
Crockpot BBQ Chicken is a fantastic dish for anyone who loves easy cooking with delicious results. It’s simple to prepare and doesn’t require any fancy techniques, making it ideal for busy weeknights. Not only can you set it and forget it, but the chicken turns out incredibly tender and flavorful. The combination of tangy barbecue sauce and savory spices creates a mouthwatering meal that the whole family will enjoy.
how to make The Best Crockpot BBQ Chicken
Ingredients :
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, with fat trimmed off
- 1 1/4 cup barbecue sauce (We love sweet Baby Ray’s Honey BBQ)
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing (I use this fat-free one)
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar (can reduce to 1/8 cup or omit if you prefer it less sweet)
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- salt and black pepper, to taste
Directions :
First, liberally spray the inside of a large crockpot or slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray, or for less mess, use one of these awesome disposable liners. Next, season your trimmed boneless, skinless chicken breasts with salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder, and place them in the bottom of your crockpot. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add barbecue sauce, Italian dressing, light brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk until combined. Pour the mixture evenly over the chicken breasts, place the lid on the crockpot, and cook on high for 2.5-3 hours or low for 5-6 hours. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Once fully cooked, you can either serve it whole or use two forks to shred the chicken. I like to shred it right in the crockpot to soak up all the extra chicken marinade and BBQ sauce. Serve on buns for delicious BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches or over pizza, salad, tacos, nachos, rice, or just by itself. Enjoy!
how to serve The Best Crockpot BBQ Chicken
The Best Crockpot BBQ Chicken is perfect for a variety of meals. You can serve it on soft hamburger buns to make tasty pulled chicken sandwiches. It also makes a great topping for pizza, a filling for tacos, or a delicious addition to a salad. You could even serve it over rice or enjoy it on its own as a simple, satisfying meal.
how to store The Best Crockpot BBQ Chicken
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The chicken will last about 3-4 days. To reheat, simply warm it up in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through. You can also freeze the leftovers for up to three months. Just make sure to thaw it in the fridge before reheating.
tips to make The Best Crockpot BBQ Chicken
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the barbecue sauce and Italian dressing overnight before cooking.
- If you like your BBQ chicken spicier, consider adding hot sauce or cayenne pepper to the sauce mixture.
- You can customize the sweetness by adjusting the amount of brown sugar. Omit it if you prefer a less sweet flavor.
variation
You can easily customize this recipe by using different barbecue sauces to suit your taste. Additionally, try adding other spices such as paprika or smoked chipotle to give your chicken a unique twist. If you want a smokier flavor, consider cooking the chicken on a smoker instead.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts in the crockpot. Just be sure to increase the cooking time by about an hour.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely! This chicken is perfect for meal prep. You can make a batch and use it in different meals throughout the week.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer. They tend to be even more tender and flavorful.
Crockpot BBQ Chicken
Ingredients
Method
- Liberally spray the inside of a large crockpot or slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray, or use a disposable liner.
- Season the trimmed chicken breasts with salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Place them in the bottom of the crockpot.
- In a medium bowl, combine barbecue sauce, Italian dressing, light brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk until combined.
- Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken breasts.
- Place the lid on the crockpot and cook on high for 2.5-3 hours or low for 5-6 hours.
- Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F before serving.
- Serve the chicken whole or shredded, either on buns for sandwiches or as a topping for pizza, salad, tacos, nachos, or rice.