Slow Cooker Shredded BBQ Chicken

[Alyssa Rivers]

Slow cooker shredded BBQ chicken is a simple, zesty, and flavorful chicken. It can go in pasta dishes, over potatoes, in sandwiches, or in tortillas. This recipe is extremely versatile, tasty, and perfect for any time of year!

Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe​

• BEST Shredded Chicken: This slow cooker shredded BBQ chicken is the best! It has a unique flavor from the tangy mustard and sweet brown sugar. When you add in the liquid smoke, it takes it to a whole new level of incredible flavor!
• Great Meal Prep: I love making this chicken at the beginning of the week; then, I can heat it up in lots of different ways throughout the week!
• Versatile: Whip this tasty chicken up for a weeknight dinner, family BBQ, or get-together. Pair it with my grilled Mexican street corn, red cabbage slaw, and bacon ranch potato salad for a full meal.

Simple Slow Cooker Recipe​

I love using my slow cooker for so many reasons. Typically, I can just throw everything in and get on with my busy day! The way it all cooks together for so long makes all of the flavors meld together perfectly. This slow cooker shredded BBQ chicken is one of those recipes I can set and forget! It’s a tried and true recipe you and your family will love!

Slow Cooker Shredded BBQ Chicken Ingredients​

Easy Slow Cooker Shredded BBQ Chicken Recipe​

This easy slow cooker shredded BBQ chicken has only 8 ingredients. Dinner can be prepped in just 10 minutes; then, the slow cooker takes care of all the work. This is the perfect recipe for busy nights!

1. Add the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker.
2. Whisk: In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, cider vinegar, liquid smoke, salt, and pepper.
3. Cook: Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker, then cover and cook for 3-4 hours on HIGH or 5-6 hours on LOW.
4. Shred and Serve: Shred the chicken using two forks, then serve on top of cooked rice or in a bun as a sandwich.

Instant Pot Instructions​

Short on time? Pop this slow cooker shredded BBQ chicken in the instant pot for a quick and easy weeknight meal. Sometimes, your day gets too busy to get dinner in the crockpot before you leave this house. I like to double the recipe because it makes the best leftovers!

1. Add Chicken: Place the chicken in the bottom of the instant pot.
2. Whisk BBQ Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, cider vinegar, liquid smoke, salt, and pepper.
3. Cook: Place the lid on the instant pot. Select the SEAL mode, then cook on MANUAL for 25 minutes. Allow the instant pot to naturally release the steam.
4. Shred: Shred using two forks and enjoy on rice or in a bun with my delicious Copycat KFC Coleslaw!

Storing Leftovers​

This slow cooker shredded BBQ chicken is perfect for leftovers and meal prep! Here are some tips for storing leftovers for enjoying later.

• In the Refrigerator: Store shredded BBQ chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• To Reheat: Reheat leftovers in the microwave until warmed through.

More Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes​

If you’re looking for more recipes to make your life easier and you know your family will eat, I’ve got you covered.



Soup

Slow Cooker Chicken Fajita Soup​

4 hrs 10 mins



Dinner

Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken​

4 hrs 15 mins



Dinner

Crockpot Bourbon Chicken​

4 hrs 35 mins



Dinner

Melt in Your Mouth Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken​

4 hrs 10 mins

Print

Slow Cooker Shredded BBQ Chicken​

Slow cooker shredded BBQ chicken is a simple, zesty, and flavorful chicken. It can go in pasta dishes, over potatoes, in sandwiches, or in tortillas.
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword bbq shredded chicken, shredded chicken, shredded chicken recipes
Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time 3 hours hours
Total Time 3 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
Servings 6 Servings
Calories 292kcal
Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients​

• 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 3 breasts
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons ketchup
• ¼ cup prepared mustard
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons liquid smoke
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions​

• Place 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, in the bottom of the slow cooker.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together ¾ cup brown sugar, 3 tablespoons ketchup, 2 tablespoons cider vinegar, ¼ cup prepared mustard, 2 teaspoons liquid smoke, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper.
• Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker.
• Cover and cook for 3-4 hours on HIGH or 5-6 hours on LOW.
• Shred the chicken using two forks, and serve on top of cooked rice or in a bun as a sandwich.

Notes​

Originally Posted November 20, 2020 Updated February 4, 2025

Nutrition​

Calories: 292kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 97mg | Sodium: 757mg | Potassium: 639mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 92IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 1mg​

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