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Close up picture of slow cooker bbq chicken on a bun with bbq sauce.

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

Course: Chicken
Cuisine: American
Keyword: crockpot bbq chicken, slow cooker bbq chicken
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Servings: 8 (1 cup portions; approximately)
Calories: 354kcal
Author: Malinda Linnebur
This Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken is so easy! Chicken that is juicy, tender, and full of smokey, sweet, and tangy goodness!
Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds (1.8kg) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • ¼ cup (50g) packed brown sugar, light or dark will work
  • tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • teaspoons garlic powder
  • teaspoons onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more to your liking)
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup (235ml) bbq sauce of choice (I like a sweet one)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Instructions

  • Place chicken in the bottom of a 6qt slow cooker.
  • In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle over the chicken. Pour bbq sauce over the chicken.
  • Cover with lid and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours. Or on HIGH for 4-5 hours.
  • Pour most of the liquid into a small saucepan. Mix together the cornstarch and a little water to make a slurry. Bring the cooking liquid to a boil and whisk in the cornstarch until thickened. Pour over the chicken and shred. Add in more bbq sauce if desired.
  • Serve on buns or rolls.

Notes

  1. Leftovers freeze well. Place in a ziploc freezer bag and remove all air. Place in freezer for up to 3-4 months. 
  2. Try this homemade Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce
  3. Nutrition Facts: Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the information shown is just an estimate.
What to serve with Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 354kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 49g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 145mg | Sodium: 579mg | Potassium: 964mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 980IU | Vitamin C: 2.9mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1.5mg