One of my favorite crock pot barbecue chicken recipes is this easy crock pot pulled chicken recipe. 5 simple ingredients is all you need to make a delicious pulled chicken sandwich or sliders.
Crock Pot Pulled Chicken is one very easy crock pot chicken recipe that is perfect during the hot summer months and is perfect for the 4th of July.
Pulled chicken is a great weekend recipe. Just toss the 5 ingredients in the crock pot and spend some time hanging out with the family.
As much as I love my Crock Pot Pulled Pork recipe I love this pulled chicken recipe also. It depends on what I'm in the mood for. Sometimes it will be pulled pork and sometimes it will be pulled chicken.
Ingredients to make the recipe
This easy pulled chicken recipe uses only 5 ingredients. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredient amounts.
- chicken: boneless skinless chicken breast or chicken thighs
- sauce: bottled BBQ Sauce
- seasonings: mustard powder and garlic powder
- brown sugar
- rolls or buns
Step by step directions
Step 1: Place the boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs in a large crock pot.
Step 2: Pour the bottle of BBQ sauce over the chicken in the crock pot.
Step 3: Add seasonings and brown sugar to the crock pot.
Step 4: Mix the ingredients to cover the chicken with the barbecue sauce ingredients.
Step 5: Cook on high for 3 hours or low for about 5 hours. Check the internal temperature of the chicken with a thermometer.
Do not over cook the chicken or it will be dry.
Step 6: Use two forks to pull the chicken apart, shredding the chicken meat into bite size pieces.
Step 7: Dump the shredded chicken back into the crock pot and stir the pulled chicken and bbq sauce together.
Step 8: Serve on hamburger buns or slider buns with a side of homemade coleslaw and a pasta salad or potato salad.
Recipe FAQS
It is easier to shred cooked chicken after the chicken is cooked and has rested for about 5 minutes. It is impossible to shred uncooked chicken meat.
Yes, you can over cook chicken when cooking it in a slow cooker. Chicken is done when it has reached an internal temperature of 165 F. degrees. Use an instant read thermometer to check the chicken after 2 or 3 hours of cooking.
Pulled chicken can be used to make bbq pulled chicken sandwiches, tacos, chicken sliders, and Quesadillas.
Recipe Expert Tips
- chicken: I used chicken breasts but you can also use chicken thighs.
- barbecue sauce: I like sweet baby rays barbecue sauce but you can use your favorite bbq sauce brand.
- mustard: I like to use ground mustard powder but in a pinch you can use a squirt of yellow mustard instead.
- garlic powder: I've used dried garlic powder but you could also use a tablespoon of finely minced garlic.
- brown sugar: dark brown sugar is made with more molasses than light brown sugar. The deep rich flavor of dark brown sugar gives pulled chicken a richer flavor.
- cook time: how long to cook the pulled chicken will depend on a few things. if using similar sized pieces of chicken as I have used it will take 3 hours to cook on high and about 5 hours to cook on low. smaller pieces of chicken will cook faster.
- when is the chicken done?: the barbecued chicken is done when the thickest piece has reach 165 F. degrees on an instant read thermometer.
- rolls or buns: you will need hamburger bun or slider rolls to make pulled chicken sandwiches.
What to make with pulled chicken?
You can use this pulled chicken recipe to make many different meals that are perfect for lunch or dinner.
- Pulled chicken sandwiches
- Pulled chicken sliders
- Pulled chicken tacos
- Pulled chicken quesadillas
- Pulled chicken nachos
Barbecue side dish recipes you'll love
Here are four perfect side dish recipes for your barbecued chicken meal.
Summer barbecue drinks you'll love
Sip on one of these perfect summer drinks at your next barbecue.
Print the Easy Crock Pot Pulled Chicken Recipe below
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Easy Crock Pot Pulled Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts 3 large boneless breasts
- 16 oz. bottle sweet BBQ Sauce or favorite bbq sauce
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon ground garlic powder
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 8 medium Bolillo rolls or hamburger buns
Instructions
- Place the chicken into a large crock pot. Combine the BBQ sauce, brown sugar, dry mustard and garlic powder in a crock pot.
- Add the BBQ sauce, brown sugar, dry mustard and garlic powder.
- Mix to cover the chicken with the barbecue sauce, brown sugar and spices.
- Cook on high for 3 hours or low for 5 hours or until the center of the thickest piece is 165 F. degrees.
- When the chicken is done cooking transfer the pieces to a bowl and let rest about 5 minutes. Leave the sauce in the crock pot.
- Use two forks to shred the chicken meat apart.
- Return the shredded chicken to the crock pot and toss to cover with BBQ sauce.
- Serve on buns with a your favorite bbq side dish.
Video
Notes
- BBQ Side dishes: Serve with my homemade coleslaw, garlic potatoes, or potato salad.
- chicken: I used chicken breasts but you can also use chicken thighs.
- barbecue sauce: I like sweet baby rays barbecue sauce but you can use your favorite bbq sauce brand.
- mustard: I like to use ground mustard powder but in a pinch you can use a squirt of yellow mustard instead.
- garlic powder: I've used dried garlic powder but you could also use a tablespoon of finely minced garlic.
- brown sugar: dark brown sugar is made with more molasses than light brown sugar. The deep rich flavor of dark brown sugar gives pulled chicken a richer flavor.
- cook time: how long to cook the pulled chicken will depend on a few things. if using similar sized pieces of chicken as I have used it will take 3 hours to cook on high and about 5 hours to cook on low. smaller pieces of chicken will cook faster.
- when is the chicken done?: the barbecued chicken is done when the thickest piece has reach 165 F. degrees on an instant read thermometer.
- rolls or buns: you will need hamburger bun or slider rolls to make pulled chicken sandwiches.
Nutrition
Did you try my easy Crock Pot Pulled Chicken recipe? Need a few more crock pot recipes up your sleeve? Check out the Crock Pot recipes over on my crock pot recipe page.
Laura
We have always loved having pulled pork or chicken sandwiches but I never made them that often until I had my daughter. Now throwing ingredients into the crock pot has become such a lifeline that dishes like this are made a lot more often.
Arlene Mobley
Laura
Crock pots make life so much easier!
Marjory @ Dinner-Mom
This looks delish...and summery...and I have a bottle of Sweet Baby Ray's in the fridge! Thanks for sharing!
Arlene Mobley
Marjory
Thank you! I love Baby Rays but any favorite bbq sauce can be used.
Liz
As much as I love pulled pork, I rarely have a pork shoulder parked in the freezer. I'm going to start making your yummy pulled chicken instead!!!
Arlene Mobley
Liz
I use the same recipe to make pulled pork using pork riblets instead of a pork shoulder. So much easier! Thanks!
Heather // girlichef
This is one of our favorite types of simple meals around here. Looks mouthwatering!
Arlene Mobley
Heather
Thank you!
Courtney @ Neighborfood
Only 5 ingredients AND made in the crockpot? This recipe just became my new best friend!
Marlene @Nosh My Way
Slow cooker recipes rock And this one is on my list to try.
Arlene Mobley
Thank you Marlene
Tara
That looks delicious and so simple, must try recipe!!
Arlene Mobley
Tara
Thank you
Erin @ Table for 7
This is a great recipe..so easy! Chicken in the crock pot is my favorite way to cook. Pinned 🙂
Amy Kim (@kimchi_mom)
Perfect! I love these slow cooker recipes! I bet this also freezes well for later on!
Arlene Mobley
Amy
I never have enough leftover to freeze!
Alice // Hip Foodie Mom
I love crock pot recipes and this looks sooooooo good! yum!
Arlene Mobley
Alice
Thanks so much!
Mireya @myhealthyeatinghabits
I got a crock pot not too long ago and I'm always on the lookout for new ideas of what to make. I've been wanting to do some type of pulled food for awhile. I'm looking forward to trying pulled chicken now.
Arlene Mobley
Mireya
This is the perfect recipe to start with. Enjoy!
Deanna Samaan
Ohhh this looks so good. I love pulled chicken this looks so easy 🙂
Candi
This looks really tasty. I loved pulled chicken.
Arlene Mobley
Candi
Thanks!
Tracy
Sweet Baby Rays BBQ is our favorite too - those sandwiches look YUM!
Arlene Mobley
Tracy thank you!
Bea
What a fantastic, easy recipe. Just perfect!!!
David @ CookingChat
I love pulled pork so should try the same approach with chicken...looks tasty!
Arlene Mobley
David I am sure you will love pulled chicken just as much.
Katie
These look melt in your mouth delicious! Love it.
Arlene Mobley
Katie
Thank you!
Jamie
Yum! Frozen chicken ok?
Arlene Mobley
Jamie
Yes frozen chicken works fine for this recipe.
Jen
Do you have an idea of what to adjust the cook time to for frozen chicken?
Arlene Mobley
Jen
No I have no idea I have never used frozen chicken in the crock pot. I would imagine it could be as much as 3 hours.
Shalisa
Looks delicious, I am going to make it for tonight! Do I need to cook the chicken first, or put it in the crockpot raw?
Sarah
Yum! I love pulled ANYTHING
Soni
Love the idea of a pulled chicken!Such delicious flavors and super easy too 🙂
Arlene Mobley
Soni
Thank you!
Shaina
I made chicken in the crockpot before and I couldn't believe how moist and tender it came, I didn't even intend for it to be "pulled chicken" but it was amazing. What a great recipe!
Arlene Mobley
Shaina
Thank you. I love chicken in the crock pot!
Christy @ Confessions of a Culinary Diva
Wow. I would have never thought about pulled chicken. I can almost smell it through the computer - if only Emeril had been successful with that smell-o-vision!
Arlene Mobley
Christy LOL thanks for stopping by!
Cindys Recipes and Writings
Pulled chicken bbq works for me!
Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
Oh my! I am commenting hungry and that is dangerous. I want to make this right now!!
Dionne Baldwin
I can see myself using this on Sundays that are packed with fun things to do! It would be great to come home and find delicious chicken ready for dinner!
Renee
I really do need to try chicken in the slow-cooker. It's something I haven't done yet. And a simple BBQ sounds like a good one to start.
Ashley @ LeavingTheRut.com
This looks SOOO easy, and delicious too!! I have been looking for a new chicken crockpot recipe to add to my rotation. Pinned!!
Arlene Mobley
Ashley thank I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Lori Hart
This looks amazing!! We love pulled pork. Found your recipe at Flour Me With Love. I am one of the hostesses of Tasty Tuesdays and would love you to stop by and link up this recipe if you have not yet already. Here is the link https://bit.ly/1g5mVQa
Lori
Joanne T Ferguson
G'day! So warm and welcoming!
Viewed as part of the Tasty Breads from The Hearth and Soul Hop
Cheers! Joanne
Antionette Blake
We don't eat pork but I love my crock pot so I would use beef for this recipe. Thank you for coming over to share with us at the #WWDParty - Happy Mother's Day Weekend!
Miz Helen
Your Crock Pot Pulled Chicken looks delicious. Thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with Full Plate Thursday and hope you have a great week!
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Arlene Mobley
Miz Helen thank you!
Karly
Incredible dinner idea! Thanks for linking up with What's Cookin' Wednesday!
Arlene Mobley
Thank you Karly!
Lisa
I really need to get my slow cooker out more. This chicken looks delicious and I know my family would LOVE it!
Arlene Mobley
Lisa
Thanks. It is so good we eat it all the time.
Claire L. B.
So I made this recipe last night for dinner and it came out SO GOOD!!!!! I'm a terrible cook, like so bad that when I sometimes cook, people think I'm trying to kill them. This was so easy to make and I followed the recipe to a T except that I used a 28 oz. bottle of Sweet Baby Ray BBQ sauce. My husband and my Mom loved it and my Mom asked me for the recipe.
Claire L. B.
Ugh, I forgot to rate this recipe. It's totally a five star rating!!! Highly recommend.
Arlene Mobley
Claire
I am so happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe. Thank you for the 5 star rating!
Arlene Mobley
Claire
I am so happy to hear the recipe turned out great for you and your family loved it!
bristol plasterers
This sounds really delicious and something new to try. Thank you for sharing this.
Simon
Arlene Mobley
Simon
You're welcome!
Lauren
If i wanted to 1/2 the recipe, how would that effect the cooking time. I have 1.5 lbs of chicken .
Arlene Mobley
Lauren
It depends on how large the pieces of chicken are. If they are whole or halve boneless breast they would cook in about 3-4 hours on low. 2-3 hours on high. If you have a meat thermometer chicken is safe to eat once it reaches an internal temp of 165 F.