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Crockpot BBQ Chicken (Easy Pulled Chicken)

This easy crockpot BBQ chicken recipe creates tender, flavorful pulled chicken that's perfect for sandwiches or tacos.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, with fat trimmed off
  • 1 1/4 cup barbecue sauce (e.g., Sweet Baby Ray's Honey BBQ)
  • 1/2 cup Italian dressing (preferably fat-free)
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar can reduce to 1/8 cup or omit for less sweetness
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Liberally spray the inside of a large crockpot or slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray, or use disposable liners.
  2. Season trimmed chicken breasts with salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.
  3. Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the bottom of the crockpot.
  4. In a medium bowl, whisk together barbecue sauce, Italian dressing, light brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce until well combined.
  5. Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken breasts.
  6. Cover and cook on high for 2.5-3 hours or low for 5-6 hours, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
  7. Once cooked, you can serve the chicken whole or shred it using two forks right in the crockpot.
Serving Suggestions
  1. Serve the BBQ chicken on soft hamburger buns for sandwiches.
  2. Enjoy it in tacos topped with slaw, or serve over rice for a filling meal.
Storage
  1. Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  2. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove, adding a little extra barbecue sauce to keep it moist.
Tips
  1. For a little extra kick, add cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the barbecue sauce mix.
  2. For faster prep, consider using store-bought rotisserie chicken.
  3. Don't skip the seasoning; it really enhances the flavor.

Notes

You can use different types of barbecue sauce to change the flavor profile. Try spicy or mustard-based sauces for variety. For a healthier option, replace barbecue sauce with homemade salsa.