Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken
Published 8/21/2023 • Updated 3/17/2024
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Shredded chicken is one of my favorite ways to eat chicken. I especially love it if it’s slow cooker pulled chicken with BBQ sauce because it’s super easy to make and the clean-up is a cinch. It’s a literal set it and forget it kind of recipe.
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken is always a hit in my house and it’s made completely hands-off using your slow cooker, chicken breast, a few spice, and bbq sauce.
Whether it’s 4th of July, Memorial day, or someone’s birthday, Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken is typically what I choose to make. Why? It’s a super hands off recipe that literally everyone loves. You can serve it on Hawaiian buns or in a bowl and leftovers are ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
A quick rundown: Season chicken breast with a dry rub and then add some bbq sauce to the bottom of your slow cooker. Place the chicken on top and cover. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Once fully cooked, shred the chicken and toss with more bbq sauce.
What is in slow cooker pulled chicken?
It all starts with a chicken dry rub. If you’re looking to get the most flavor out of your pulled chicken, we highly recommend NOT skipping this step. Our rub is made with chili powder, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
In addition to the spice blend, you need boneless, skinless chicken breasts, your favorite bbq sauce, and a little chicken broth.
How long to cook slow cooker pulled chicken?
When cooking chicken in the slow cooker it’s all about low and slow. We have two cooking options for you. Slow cook your pulled chicken on…
High for 2 hours
Low for around 4-6
Do I need to add any liquid to my slow cooker with the chicken?
You do not HAVE to add any other liquid to your slow cooker because the chicken will give off a lot of moisture. However, we like to add a few tablespoons of water or broth for added moisture.
Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Q’s
Yes! And, in fact, we recommend only putting raw, thawed chicken in your slow cooker. Check out our crockpot shredded chicken recipe.
You can absolutely overcook chicken in the slow cooker. Typically (depending on how thick your chicken breast is), chicken will be fully cooked in the slow cooker on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours.
We do NOT recommend putting frozen chicken in a slow cooker. This is due to food safety. No one wants to get foodborne illness from uncooked chicken! If you want to cook frozen chicken, we suggest doing this in your Instant Pot.
Yes, you can freeze pulled chicken once it’s cooked. Place it in a large gallon-sized bag and remove as much air as possible. Then, seal and place in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Pulled chicken is the same thing as shredded chicken. You can find some recipe examples of pulled chicken here: crock pot honey garlic chicken, healthy buffalo chicken, and Thai peanut chicken salad.
We love eating BBQ pulled chicken as a sandwich with a homemade slaw and pickles! You can also eat pulled chicken in a meal prep bowl, in a wrap, or as a taco.
If you love slow cooker pulled chicken, then you’ll love these shredded chicken recipes too: Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken, Instant Pot Moroccan Chicken, and Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad.
Is pulled chicken in the crock pot healthy?
Good news! For the most part, this BBQ pulled chicken is healthy. It is…
- low fat (just 4g per serving)
- high protein (22g per serving)
- can be lower sugar depending on what BBQ sauce you use.
So? What can make this even healthier? Use a bbq sauce that is lower in sugar or consider making your own bbq sauce (such as this one that uses maple syrup) at home so you can monitor exactly what’s in it!
Remember, “healthy” is all about balance!
Serving Suggestions
Our favorite way to eat slow cooker pulled chicken is as a sandwich with all the fixings. Here’s what you need for what’s photographed:
- Homemade slaw: buy your favorite premade slaw mix and add onion, pickle juice, lime, and salt.
- Pickles: Pickles make the world go round. A few rounds will really make this sammie!
- Chips: Because everyone loves a crunch, serve your pulled chicken sandwich next to a handful of your favorite chips.
This crock pot pulled chicken recipe can be used in so many ways beyond a sandwich. You can eat it in a meal prep bowl, in a burrito, by itself, as tacos, in a lettuce wrap, on toast, and the list goes on!
Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken
Ingredients
Crockpot BBQ Chicken
- 1 – 1.5 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 2/3 cup bbq sauce, divided
- 3 tablespoons water or chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Slaw
- 2 cups favorite slaw mix
- 1/4 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon pickle juice
- 1/2 tablespoon lime juice
- salt, to taste
Other
- 4 hamburger buns of choice
- 1/4 cup bbq sauce, or more to taste
- pickles, to taste
Instructions
Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken
- First, prepare your crockpot bbq chicken. Mix together chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Then, season both sides of your chicken breasts.
- Spray the bottom of your crockpot with nonstick cooking spray and then add your chicken breasts.
- Pour about 1/3 cup of bbq sauce on top of your chicken breasts (save the rest for later) and then add 3 tablespoons of water. Cover slow cooker.
- Let cook for around 2-3 hours on high for 4-6 hours on low.
- Once the chicken has fully cooked and reached an internal temperature of 165ºF, use 2 forks to shred.
- Keep the liquid from the chicken and bbq sauce in the crockpot and add about 1/3 cup more bbq sauce and 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar. Mix sauce and shredded chicken until everything is coated.
Slaw & Sandwiches
- Next, prepare slaw by mixing together all slaw ingredients.
- Put together your bbq chicken sandwiches by placing a generous amount of slaw on the bottom of your bun and then about 1/4 lb. of the shredded chicken. Add about 1 tablespoon more of bbq sauce (or more, if desired), and a few pickles. Put the top on your chicken sandwich and enjoy!
Tips & Notes
- Nutrition information is JUST for the slow cooker pulled chicken using Annie’s Original BBQ Sauce.
Watch It
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Don’t forget to tag your posts on social media with the hashtag #fitfoodiefinds, we’d love to see what you’re up to!
Having this tonight with the football.
It’s so yummy! I can try
It’s easy to make, and the rich flavours make it taste like it’s been slow-cooked for hours. The smoky notes in the sauce elevated the tacos to a whole new level. Thank you for sharing this lip-smacking delight!