Tender Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Breast Recipe

Juicy Tender Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Breast Recipe to Savor

Weeknight dinners demand delicious, hassle-free meals that satisfy BBQ chicken breast cravings without hours of preparation.

Slow cookers offer the perfect solution for busy home cooks seeking mouthwatering results with minimal effort.

This recipe delivers juicy, fall-apart chicken drenched in tangy barbecue sauce that melts in your mouth.

Minimal ingredients and straightforward techniques make this dish a weeknight wonder for anyone seeking comfort food.

The magic happens as chicken slowly simmers, absorbing rich, smoky flavors that transform an ordinary protein into an extraordinary meal.

Serve this crowd-pleasing dish alongside crisp coleslaw or fluffy rice for a complete dinner that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 6 hours

Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes

Calories: 230 kcal

Servings: 5

BBQ Chicken Breast in the Slow Cooker Starts Here

For Main Protein:
  • Chicken Breasts: Tender, lean protein that absorbs the rich BBQ flavors perfectly, choose boneless and skinless for easy shredding.
For Flavor Base:
  • Barbecue Sauce: Delivers bold, smoky sweetness and acts as the primary cooking liquid for the chicken.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel-like sweetness and helps create a sticky, glossy sauce coating.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Introduces complex umami depth and enhances the overall savory profile.
For Seasoning Blend:
  • Vinegar: Provides tangy brightness and helps tenderize the chicken.
  • Garlic Powder: Delivers concentrated garlic flavor without excess moisture.
  • Onion Powder: Contributes sweet, aromatic undertones to complement the BBQ sauce.
  • Smoked Paprika: Introduces a rich, smoky essence that amplifies the barbecue character.

Tools for Tender Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Breast

  • Slow Cooker: Essential for creating tender, flavorful chicken with minimal effort.
  • Small Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining sauce ingredients smoothly.
  • Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure spices and seasonings.
  • Forks: Ideal for shredding chicken directly in the slow cooker.
  • Cutting Board: Useful for any preliminary prep work.

How to Cook Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Breast Right

  • Prep Slow Cooker Chicken

Layer chicken breasts evenly across the bottom of your slow cooker, creating a smooth base for flavor absorption.

  • Whip Up Tangy Sauce

Blend barbecue sauce with sweet brown sugar, zesty vinegar, aromatic garlic powder, rich onion powder, smoky paprika, and a splash of Worcestershire sauce in a mixing bowl until perfectly combined.

  • Coat and Drench

Pour the vibrant sauce over chicken, ensuring every inch is generously covered and glistening with delicious marinade.

  • Slow Cook to Perfection

Secure lid and let the slow cooker work its magic. Cook on low setting for 6-7 hours or high setting for 3-4 hours until chicken becomes incredibly tender and pulls apart effortlessly.

  • Shred and Mingle

Using two forks, gently tear chicken into succulent strands, stirring and bathing each piece in the rich, caramelized sauce.

  • Serve and Enjoy

Transform your juicy BBQ chicken into mouthwatering meals – pile onto soft buns, scatter over fluffy rice, stuff into crispy tacos, or pair with your favorite roasted vegetables.

Sauce Options That Pair with BBQ Chicken Breast

  • Cover chicken completely with sauce to ensure even cooking and maximum flavor absorption throughout the meat.
  • Replace chicken breasts with skinless chicken thighs for a richer, more tender result that stays incredibly moist during slow cooking.
  • Skip sandwich buns and serve chicken over cauliflower rice or mixed greens for a keto-friendly meal that's protein-packed and delicious.
  • Adjust heat by choosing mild, medium, or hot barbecue sauce – or mix different brands to create your unique flavor profile that suits your taste preferences.
  • This recipe freezes beautifully for up to 3 months – portion into containers and reheat for quick, hassle-free weeknight dinners that taste freshly made.

Serve BBQ Chicken Breast with Slaw or Grains

  • Flavor Fusion Sandwich: Stack the tender BBQ chicken on soft brioche buns with crisp coleslaw for a mouthwatering sandwich experience that combines tangy and creamy textures.
  • Protein-Packed Rice Bowl: Spoon the shredded chicken over fluffy brown rice, top with fresh green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for a wholesome, satisfying meal that's both nutritious and delicious.
  • Taco Night Twist: Wrap the BBQ chicken in warm tortillas, add quick pickled red onions, fresh cilantro, and a dollop of cool sour cream to create zesty tacos that will make dinner feel like a fiesta.
  • Veggie Side Symphony: Serve the chicken alongside roasted corn, grilled zucchini, or a crisp garden salad to balance the rich, smoky flavors and create a complete, well-rounded dinner plate.

Tips to Store and Use Leftover BBQ Chicken Breast

  • Whip up large quantities and freeze individual portions in airtight containers for quick weeknight meals. Perfect for busy families needing grab-and-go protein options.
  • Store shredded chicken in sealed containers for up to 4 days. Mix with fresh salads, stuff into sandwiches, or toss with pasta for instant meal transformations.
  • Safely store cooked chicken for 2-3 months in freezer-safe bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn and maintain optimal flavor and texture.
  • Adding a splash of fresh barbecue sauce when reheating helps restore moisture and revives the original delicious taste. Warm gently in microwave or stovetop for best results.
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Tender Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Breast Recipe

Tender Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Breast Recipe

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4.7 from 10 reviews

  • Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x
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Description

Dive into comfort with slow cooker bbq chicken breast, a mouthwatering dish that promises tender, juicy flavor in every bite. Minimal effort yields maximum satisfaction, making this recipe a weeknight hero you’ll want to savor again and again.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds (907 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1.5 cups barbecue sauce (your favorite brand)
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (optional, for depth of flavor)
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar (optional, for extra sweetness)
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (optional, for tang)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ¼ tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Nestle chicken breasts evenly across the bottom of the slow cooker, ensuring they are not overlapping.
  2. Sauce Creation: Whisk together barbecue sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and Worcestershire sauce in a mixing bowl until ingredients are thoroughly blended and smooth.
  3. Coating Process: Generously drench chicken breasts with the prepared sauce, rotating pieces to guarantee complete and uniform coverage.
  4. Slow Cooking: Secure the lid and set slow cooker to low temperature, allowing chicken to simmer gently for 6-7 hours or alternatively use high setting for 3-4 hours until meat becomes tender and effortlessly separates with minimal pressure from a fork.
  5. Finishing Touch: Utilize two forks to meticulously shred chicken directly within the cooking liquid, then thoroughly incorporate the shredded meat with remaining sauce to enhance flavor and moisture.
  6. Serving Suggestions: Present the succulent BBQ chicken as a versatile filling for buns, alongside rice, wrapped in tacos, or accompanied by fresh vegetables for a delectable meal.

Notes

  • Adjust barbecue sauce sweetness by balancing brown sugar and vinegar to prevent overly sweet or tangy results.
  • Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts of similar size for even cooking and consistent texture.
  • Avoid overcooking to prevent dry chicken; check internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety without losing tenderness.
  • Experiment with different barbecue sauce brands or add a splash of hot sauce for personalized depth and kick.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 hours
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 230
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 4 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 28 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg

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Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Education

Southwestern Oregon Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
  • Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.

Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care. 

After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.

Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.

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