Description
This Zesty Slow Cooker Chicken Barbecue recipe is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish that uses tender chicken breasts or thighs simmered in a tangy barbecue sauce. Perfect for sandwiches or served over rice, this recipe combines sweet, smoky, and spicy notes for a delicious meal with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for juicier chicken)
For the Sauce
- 1 cup barbecue sauce (use your favorite brand or homemade)
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup honey or brown sugar (optional, for sweetness)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
- 1/2 cup water or chicken broth (to help with moisture)
For Serving (Optional)
- Sandwich buns (for barbecue chicken sandwiches)
- Coleslaw
- Pickles
- Fresh cilantro (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker: Place the chicken breasts or thighs in the bottom of the slow cooker, ensuring they are spread out evenly.
- Make the barbecue sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, honey or brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Then stir in the water or chicken broth to loosen the mixture slightly.
- Cook the chicken: Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker. Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender enough to shred easily with a fork.
- Shred the chicken: Once cooking is complete, carefully remove the chicken pieces from the slow cooker and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker and mix it thoroughly with the sauce, allowing the meat to absorb the flavors.
- Serve: Serve the zesty barbecue chicken on sandwich buns, topped with optional coleslaw, pickles, and fresh cilantro. Alternatively, enjoy it over rice or alongside your favorite vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts if you prefer juicier, more flavorful meat.
- If you like extra spice, increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add a dash of hot sauce to the barbecue sauce mixture.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- For a thicker sauce, remove the shredded chicken and cook the sauce on high for an additional 15-20 minutes before mixing back in.
- Serve with coleslaw and pickles for a classic barbecue chicken sandwich experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
