Get ready to whip up a deliciously simple yet irresistibly satisfying dish! This Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sandwiches recipe promises tender, flavor-packed perfection in every bite, making it the ultimate comfort food for any occasion. Crockpot pulled chicken is a crowd-pleaser that'll have you craving more.
As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, there's something undeniably magical about the allure of cozy meals that warm both your body and soul.
When it comes to comfort food, few things rival the hearty satisfaction of a good old BBQ chicken sandwich. It's the kind of meal that brings friends and family together, whether it's for a laid-back potluck or a spirited game day gathering.
Crockpot pulled chicken is simple to make. The succulent, tender chicken, slow-cooked to perfection then generously smothered in your favorite BBQ sauce. While everyone loves this is the crisp cool weather. they are great to make in the summer also. Why be stuck over a hot grill when you can have your slow cooker do all the work?
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Ingredients
- Chicken – We usually have chicken breast on hand but boneless, skinless chicken thighs or a combination of chicken breasts and thighs can be used as substitutes for chicken breasts. Thighs may yield slightly more tender and flavorful results.
- BBQ sauce – You can use your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce, or if you prefer homemade, you can try my easy pineapple BBQ sauce.
- Brown Sugar – Adds a touch of sweetness. Use light or dark brown sugar or substitute with honey or maple syrup.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – ACV adds a bit of acid to balance the sweetness and help tenderize the meat. White vinegar or red wine vinegar can be used as a substitute.
- Worcestershire Sauce – Adds depth of flavor. If you don't have Worcestershire sauce on hand, you can use soy sauce or even A1 sauce for a similar umami kick.
- Smoked Paprika – Smoked paprika has a nice smoky flavor but regular paprika can be used as a substitute.
- Garlic Powder – Adds a hint of garlic flavor. Fresh minced garlic or garlic paste can be used as a substitute. Use about 3 cloves of minced garlic for this amount.
- Onion Powder – If you prefer, finely chopped fresh onions can be used instead of onion powder. Use about 1 small onion, finely minced.
- Salt – Kosher salt or sea salt enhance all of the other flavors.
- Black Pepper– Freshly ground black pepper adds a mild kick and enhances all the flavors.
- Hamburger Buns – Feel free to use any type of buns or rolls you prefer, such as whole wheat, brioche, or even slider buns for mini sandwiches.
- Toppings – Top your sandwich with pickles, coleslaw, pickled onions, fresh onion, cheese or any of your favorite sandwich toppings.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Combine the BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Pour the BBQ sauce mixture over the chicken.
2. Cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours. Shred chicken and return to slow cooker and stir. Cook for an additional 15-20 minutes on low heat.
Hint: Use a stand mixer with the dough hook to effortlessly shred the cooked chicken.
Variations/ Substitutions
The beauty of this crockpot pulled chicken is that it's not just about sandwiches. You can tailor it to your own taste buds and dietary preferences. Imagine serving it over a bed of fluffy rice, encased in crisp lettuce wraps, or even as a delectable topping for a homemade BBQ chicken pizza that will make your taste buds do a happy dance. The possibilities are as boundless as your imagination.
- Swap The Sauce - Slow cooker BBQ chicken sandwiches will take on the flavor of the BBQ sauce you select. To alter the flavor profile, experiment with different barbecue sauces.
- Make it Gluten Free - As long as your BBQ sauce is gluten free, the pulled chicken is also gluten free. However, regular hamburger buns are not. You can substitute gluten free buns or you can serve the shredded chicken over rice.
- Lettuce Wraps – Buns can be a bit heavy for some people. Reduce the carbs and serve the chicken in crisp lettuce wraps.
- Make Pizza – Reserve your leftover chicken to use a delicious pizza topping.
- Baked Potatoes – Top tender baked potatoes with piles of crockpot pulled chicken, cheese and jalapenos.
Equipment
Slow cookers are a kitchen essential for their hands-off cooking style, making delicious dishes with minimal effort. They're great for tenderizing tough meats and creating hearty soups and stews.
If you don't have a slow cooker, most Instant Pot's can also double as a slow cooker. I have had pretty good result but find that sometimes they don't cook as quickly since the heat only comes from the bottom.
Storage
Place the chicken and any remaining sauce in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheat single servings in the microwave. You can reheat larger portions in a saucepan on the stovetop but you may want to add a splash of water to loosen everything up.
To freeze, transfer the meat to an airtight freezer-safe container or resealable freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible, seal tightly, and label with the date. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
Cooking Tips
- Before placing the chicken in the slow cooker, trim any excess fat to avoid greasiness in the final dish.
- For even flavor distribution, layer the chicken at the bottom of the slow cooker and then pour the sauce mixture over it. This helps the chicken absorb the flavors as it cooks.
- Cooking on the low setting is recommended for tender and juicy results.
- Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F to ensure it's safe to eat. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature.
- Once the chicken has been shredded, return it to the slow cooker, toss with the sauce and cook for about 10 more minutes. This will help it absorb more of the delicious BBQ sauce.
- Taste the chicken after shredding and adjust the seasoning if needed. You can add more salt, pepper, or even a dash of hot sauce to suit your preferences.
- Consider making a larger batch and freezing portions for quick, future meals. Just follow the freezing and reheating instructions mentioned earlier.
FAQ
It's not recommended to use frozen chicken for slow cooker recipes, as it can affect cooking times and safety. It's best to use thawed chicken for even cooking.
You can use bone-in chicken, such as chicken breasts, chicken thighs or drumsticks. Be sure to adjust the cooking time as bone-in chicken usually takes a bit longer to cook. You will also want to remove all of the bones when shredding the chicken. Boneless chicken is much easier to work with.
You can adapt this recipe for an Instant Pot. If your Instant Pot has slow cooker function you may use that following the recipe as is. If you prefer to cook this a little faster, sauté the chicken to brown it and add the sauce and some water. Pressure cook it on the poultry setting for about 15-20 minutes. Shred the chicken after cooking and add more sauce if needed.
It is so easy to double or even triple this recipe when serving a crowd. You can even make extra to freeze for easy meals later on.
What to serve with BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
Extra BBQ sauce, pickles and homemade vinegar slaw are the gold standard when it comes to serving crockpot pulled chicken sandwiches. If you want to turn these sandwiches into a full meal we recommend:
- Easy Mexican Cabbage Slaw with Lime Dressing
- Easy Refrigerator Pickled Jalapenos
- Homemade Sweet and Spicy Refrigerator Pickles
- How to Cook Frozen French Fries in an Air Fryer
- Braised Collard Greens with Turkey Bacon
- Stovetop Mac and Cheese (Easy 5-Ingredient Recipe!)
More Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes
- Slow Cooker Roasted Chicken
- Crock Pot Shredded Chicken Tacos
- Rosemary Ranch Chicken from The Lazy Slow Cooker
- Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Wings from The Food Fanatic
If you like this Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sandwiches recipe, please leave a 5-star rating.
RECIPE
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts about 5 -6 breast pieces
- 1½ cups BBQ sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 6 Hamburger buns or sandwich rolls for serving
- pickles, slaw, etc for optional toppings
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Combine the BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Pour the BBQ sauce mixture over the chicken.
- Cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours. Shred chicken and return to slow cooker and stir.
- Cook for an additional 15-20 minutes on low heat.
- Serve on hamburger buns or sandwich rolls. Add additional toppings if desired.
Nutrition
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Erik
So satisfying and great flavor. Gonna try with the pineapple bbq sauce next time!
Karlie
Nothing better than a cozy crock pot meal. I let this simmer all day while I worked and we enjoyed it with garlic dill pickles (the ones from Costco) for dinner. Hubby loves it.
Cynthia
I made this for the National Championship game on Monday. It was easy, no fuss and a hit. We had leftovers for lunches the next day.
Holley
I love that I can make one of my favorites at home! Easy to follow and delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Shelby
The chicken is so saucy and satisfying! Such a delicious and easy-to-make dinner!