Go Back
–+ servings
Together As Family Logo

Slow Cooker Shredded BBQ Chicken


Course Crock Pot, Dinner
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 10 minutes
Servings 8
Make this easy Slow Cooker Shredded BBQ Chicken for dinner tonight! Tender, fall-apart shredded chicken cooks in your favorite bbq sauce with fresh onions and dried seasonings in the slow cooker. Serve on toasted buns for the best bbq chicken sandwiches. 

Ingredients
  

Seasoning Mix

  • 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
  • 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

BBQ Chicken

  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 large yellow onion (sliced thin)
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2-2½ pounds)
  • 1 bottle (18 oz) BBQ sauce (or about 1½ cups)

Instructions

  • In a small bowl whisk together the brown sugar, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and kosher salt. Set aside.
    1 tablespoon light brown sugar, 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Add the water into the slow cooker. Lay the sliced onion on top of the water. Lay the chicken breast pieces on top of the sliced onions.
    1/2 cup water, 1 large yellow onion, 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Evenly sprinkle the seasoning mix (set aside from earlier) over top the chicken breast pieces.
  • Pour the BBQ sauce over top the chicken.
    1 bottle (18 oz) BBQ sauce
  • Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW heat for 6-7 hours.
  • Remove the chicken from the slow cooker onto a plate or cutting board. Use two forks to shred the chicken. Return the chicken back to the crockpot and stir everything together.
    * Optional Step : If you prefer to not have the onion slices in the shredded bbq chicken, simply use a slotted spoon to remove the onion before adding the shredded chicken back in.
  • Use a slotted spoon to serve the bbq chicken on toasted buns and add some extra BBQ sauce if wanted over top. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Pick Your Favorite BBQ Sauce : I love the Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce. My family prefers a sweeter bbq sauce like honey or brown sugar. Make sure that you love the flavor of whatever bbq sauce you choose.
  • Make It Spicy! : Add some chili powder, cayenne red pepper or chipotle chili powder in with the other dried seasonings. 
  • Onion Pieces : If you want to hide the onion better then be sure and cut it or dice it really finely. Alternatively, you can leave the onion slices pretty large if you prefer that or if you are planning on removing them after the cook time. The larger pieces will be much easier to move and find in the barbecue sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 255kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 1082mg | Potassium: 613mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 366IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1mg
Pin Recipe Share Recipe

Did You Make This Recipe?

I'd love to see it! You can share it with me on @happy.familyrecipes and follow on Pinterest @happyfamilyrecipes or Facebook @happyfamilyrecipes for more!