Easy Crockpot BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
A quick and easy slow cooker recipe for juicy, flavorful BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches perfect for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours on LOW or 3-4 hours on HIGH
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes to 7 hours 10 minutes (LOW) or 3 hours 10 minutes to 4 hours 10 minutes (HIGH)
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 ½ cups BBQ sauce (preferably smoky and slightly sweet)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 4–6 hamburger buns
- Optional toppings: pickles, coleslaw, sliced jalapeños
Instructions
- Finely chop one medium onion and mince two cloves of garlic. Measure out BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together 1 ½ cups BBQ sauce, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, and 1 teaspoon smoked paprika.
- Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle the chopped onion and minced garlic evenly over the top.
- Pour the BBQ sauce mixture evenly over the chicken and aromatics. Use a spoon to gently coat the chicken but do not stir.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours until the chicken is fork-tender.
- Remove the chicken breasts and shred the meat using two forks into bite-sized pieces.
- Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot and stir into the sauce. Let soak on WARM for 10-15 minutes.
- Toast hamburger buns if desired, about 1-2 minutes per side in a toaster oven or skillet.
- Assemble sandwiches by piling pulled chicken onto buns and adding optional toppings like pickles or coleslaw.
- Serve immediately with your favorite sides.
Notes
Do not lift the lid during cooking to maintain temperature. If sauce is too thin after cooking, stir in a cornstarch slurry and cook on HIGH for 15 minutes to thicken. Chicken thighs can be used for juicier meat but adjust cooking time accordingly. Toast buns to prevent sogginess. Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 4 days and freeze well.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: One sandwich with ab
- Calories: 350400
- Fat: 68
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 23
- Protein: 35
Keywords: BBQ pulled chicken, crockpot recipe, slow cooker chicken, easy weeknight dinner, pulled chicken sandwiches, barbecue chicken