Crockpot pulled chicken is so easy to make and it is so tasty. If you crave the cozy, comforting of a delicious barbecue chicken sandwich, well it all starts right here. You’ll love this recipe for an exceptionally delicious pulled chicken sandwich paired with potato chips and a slice of dill pickle. The flavors of this pulled chicken are bursting with smoky sweetness and a hint of spice and the fact that this recipe is so incredibly easy to prepare, makes it better. Come with me today as I share this delicious recipe for barbecue pulled chicken that you and your family will love.

How to Make Barbecue Pulled Chicken

The key to making great pulled chicken is to use the best ingredients. Start with tender chicken breast and the best seasoning and spices. For this recipe I opted to make a homemade barbecue sauce to customize the flavor, but fill free to use jar sauce if you wish.

The key to this recipe is to simple blend all of your ingredients into your crockpot and allow the chicken to cook slow. After your chicken has reached it’s tenderness, shred it and return it to the pot to allow the flavor of the sauce and chicken to meld. This is simply delicious!

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Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts – if using bone-in chicken for the pulled chicken, make sure to carefully remove all the bone before returning the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
• Garlic powder -Garlic powder gives a slightly sweet, garlicky flavor that works well in a variety of dishes, especially those cooked low and slow.
• Chili powder – provides spice that is adjustable to your heat preference. Opt for a mild chili powder for subtle heat or something spicier for a bigger kick.
• Cinnamon – A touch of cinnamon adds an exotic note that makes this BBQ chicken stand out. It’s subtle but adds another dimension of flavor.
• Honey – the sweetness of honey balances out the heat. Honey also helps create somewhat of a glaze as the chicken cooks.
• Smoked paprika – It adds an irresistible smoky element that complements the slow-cooker method and the barbecue flavors perfectly
• Onion powder – provides a savory depth but with a slightly sharper, more onion-forward flavor.
• Black pepper – Pepper adds a familiar warmth and a touch of bite.
• Kosher salt – Salt brings out the chicken’s natural taste.

For the Homemade BBQ Sauce:

• Ketchup – Ketchup is the foundation for most barbecue sauces. It provides the sweetness of tomatoes, the tang, and a thick, familiar base.
• Brown sugar – Adds a rich, caramelized sweetness that complements the ketchup and deeper molasses flavor.
• Honey – Contributes a natural sweetness and lovely floral notes that enhance the other flavors.
• Molasses – Imparts a deep, robust sweetness and a slight bitterness that balances out the other sugars. It’s key for that classic BBQ sauce depth.
• Apple cider vinegar – Provides a acidity that cuts through the richness and prevents the sauce from being too cloyingly sweet.
• Cayenne pepper – Adds warmth and customizable heat. Use a little for a touch of spice or more for a bolder kick.
• Garlic powder – Brings in that familiar savory note that works well with the sweetness and other spices.
• Ground mustard – Provides a subtle tanginess and a hint of sharpness that adds complexity to the sauce.
• Black pepper – Adds a subtle warmth and a little bite that cuts through the sweetness.
• Kosher salt – Enhances all the flavors and rounds out the overall taste

What You Will Need

• Slow Cooker
• Cooking Utensils
• Small Bowls
• Tongs

Instructions for Barbecue Pulled Chicken

1. Making the Barbecue Sauce

Combine all the ingredients for the barbecue sauce and whisk them together in a bowl. This sauce is where the flavor party starts – it’s the perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and smoky.

2. Seasoning the Chicken Breast

Place the chicken breasts directly into your slow cooker. Generously season your chicken breast with the kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cinnamon, smoked paprika, and chili powder.

Next, drizzle the honey all over the chicken.

3. Adding the Barbecue Sauce for Pulled Chicken

Pour in the homemade barbecue sauce, covering the chicken breasts. This is where your pulled chicken will gets all its deliciousness.

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook the chicken on high for four hours. The house is going to smell incredible!

4. Shred the Chicken

Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the slow cooker. With two forks, easily shred the chicken apart – it should fall apart effortlessly.

Return the shredded chicken to the pot with all that glorious sauce. Give it a good stir and let it cook on low for an additional 20 minutes to maximize the flavor infusion.

5. Final Simmer

This final simmer helps the chicken soak up every last bit of that delectable barbecue sauce.

What to Serve with Barbecue Pulled Chicken

Pulled chicken sandwiches are incredibly versatile, and they pair deliciously with a variety of side dishes. Some classic sides for your pulled chicken would be potato wedges, potato salad or mac and cheese. If you are looking for a lighter taste then you may opt for a green salad or coleslaw. Finally for a heartier Southern meal choice you may go for collard greens, cabbage or baked beans.

Storing Leftovers Pulled Chicken

If you are fortunate enough to have leftover barbecue pulled chicken for another day, no worries! Pulled chicken keeps surprisingly well in both the refrigerator and freezer. In the refrigerator, store the chicken in an airtight container. It can be kept for up to 4 days. Just reheat it gently before serving. In the freezer, freeze the pulled chicken in a freezer-safe container or bag. To reheat, let it defrost in the refrigerator overnight, then warm it thoroughly in a saucepan or the microwave.

Slow cooker barbecue pulled chicken is such an easy recipe to make that everyone will love. I truly hope this inspires you to bring out the crockpot and treat yourself and your family!

Barbecue Pulled Chicken Recipe

Recipe by Soul Food Cooking

5.0 from 3 votes

Course: MainCuisine: SouthernDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Ingredients

• For the Chicken:

• 2-1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 2 teaspoons chili powder

• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

• 2 tablespoons honey

• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika

• 1 teaspoon onion powder

• 1 teaspoon black pepper

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• For the Homemade BBQ Sauce:

• 1-1/4 Cups ketchup

• 1-1/2 Tablespoons brown sugar

• 1/4 Cup honey

• 2 tablespoons molasses

• 1/4 Cup apple cider vinegar

• 1/2 teaspooon cayenne pepper

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 2 teaspoons ground mustard

• 1 teaspoon black pepper

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions

• Combine all the ingredients for the barbecue sauce and whisk them together in a bowl.
• Toss the chicken breasts directly into your slow cooker. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cinnamon, smoked paprika, and chili powder. Drizzle the honey all over the chicken.
• Add the barbecue sauce and mix.
• Cover your slow cooker and cook on high for four hours.
• Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the slow cooker. With two forks, easily shred the chicken apart – it should fall apart effortlessly.
• Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Give it a good stir and let it cook on low for an additional 20 minutes.

Recipe Video

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