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Crockpot BBQ Chicken

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5 from 3 votes
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Hectic, crazy days mean less time for cooking, so I like to make this fantastic crockpot BBQ chicken! All it takes is a little bit of planning, a few ingredients, a crockpot, and you are well on your way to an EASY pulled chicken dinner. Not to mention, this crockpot barbecue chicken is a crowd favorite. 

black plate of crockpot bbq chicken and coleslaw from above set next to a pair of forks and salt & pepper shakersPin

In the Joy Filled Eats kitchen, you will find that I love to make meals for my family that is low-maintenance. I will prepare meals that I have to put a lot of effort in sometimes, but let’s face it. Life is so busy! Everyone needs to go here or there; you know how it is. Often, I try to make food that allows me time to spend with my family instead of being in the kitchen all the time. The best part is you don’t have to give up quality or flavor to make something that’s practically effortless. 

That is what I love about this crockpot BBQ chicken! It might be super simple to make, but it tastes beyond delicious. When my kids are asking me when we get to eat this chicken recipe again, I know they love it too. I am confident; once you try it, you will be adding this to your regular recipe rotation also. 

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black plate of crockpot bbq chicken and coleslaw with fork sticking into chicken close upPin

How To Make Crockpot BBQ Chicken

Step 1: Place chicken, broth, and seasonings in the crockpot. Place lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 4-6 hours. 

overhead view of crockpot filled with chicken pieces and seasoning

Step 2: After cooking, shred chicken, add your favorite bbq sauce and toppings. Serve and enjoy hot!

chicken pieces and seasoning from above in crockpot with a wooden spoon

Seriously, this is one of the easiest slow cooker bbq chicken recipes ever! 

Optional Keto BBQ Chicken Topping Ideas

When I make this tasty crockpot bbq chicken, we like to top it with bacon crumbles and cheddar cheese. Trust me; it’s delicious that way. If you like to try your food a variety of ways, then give some of these ideas a taste and see how you like them.

  • Onions – Slice up some red onions, and you will get just enough tanginess added to the crockpot barbecue chicken. 
  • Coleslaw – Turn your crockpot bbq chicken thighs into a Carolina style meal with some keto coleslaw. Watch out; it’s addictive. 
  • Peppers – Any kind of peppers you like will go well with this crockpot bbq chicken. Jalapeno, bell, or even banana peppers add a lot of flavors. 
  • Cheese – I know I mentioned cheddar cheese, but there are lots of other cheeses worth trying. Pepper Jack adds a little bit of heat. Or you could go with parmesan, swiss or provolone for a different flavor. 
  • Cilantro – Kind of like icing on a cake, adding some cilantro will give the bbq chicken a lovely presentation. Plus, it makes it taste even better. 
  • Sauce – I have three different flavors of keto barbecue sauce that taste great on this!

We love pulled pork in my house too and my Keto Pulled Pork is the best!

chicken portions covering in sauce within crockpotPin

Why Is My BBQ Chicken Dry?

If you ended up with dry chicken, it was probably cooked too long. Often, we get busy and think it won’t hurt if we cook our food in the crockpot longer than the recipe calls for. I used to do this, and it would result in mediocre meals. So if you want plump, juicy chicken every time, follow the guidelines for time. 

Another possibility is that your slow cooker just happens to get hotter than others. There isn’t much you can do, except the next time you make the pulled chicken shorten the cooking time a little until you finally get it how you would like it. 

Do I Have To Use Chicken Thighs For This BBQ Chicken Recipe?

No, you do not have to use chicken thighs. I prefer chicken thighs because they are so juicy and packed full of flavor. You can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts if you prefer or if that is why you happen to have on hand. Using chicken breasts is more than okay, and it will still taste wonderful. 

close up on black plate filled with half bbq chicken and half coleslaw, fork is resting on plate pointing into bbq chickenPin

Can You Put Frozen Chicken In The Crockpot?

Yes, you can put frozen chicken in the crockpot. It’s essential to realize your cooking time will need to be adjusted. That is going to vary some, but the best thing to do is to check the internal temperature of the chicken. It needs to be cooked to 165 degrees F. to be safe to eat. 

How Do I Store Crockpot BBQ Chicken?

To store crockpot bbq chicken properly, you should always allow it to cool down before refrigerating. Then you should put the leftover pulled chicken in storage containers that are airtight. The bbq chicken will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator. I love making this ahead of time, so we can eat it a couple of times through the week. 

Can I Freeze Barbecue Chicken?

Yes, you can absolutely freeze crockpot barbecue chicken. Store the chicken in a freezer-safe storage container or bag up to 6 months. To reheat, place it in the refrigerator the night before. Then you can microwave it for 30-60 seconds at a time until it’s hot. 

black plate of crockpot bbq chicken and coleslaw with fork sticking into chickenPin

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Round, black plate filled with half bbq chicken and half coleslaw. Plate is placed on white tables, next to picnic plaid napkins, forks  and salt & pepper shakers

Crockpot BBQ Chicken

Taryn Scarfone
All it takes is a little bit of planning, a few ingredients, a crockpot, and you are well on your way to an EASY Crockpot BBQ Chicken. 
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 211

Ingredients
 
 

Toppings (optional):

Instructions
 

  • Add all the ingredients to a crock pot. Cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low 4-6 hours.
  • Shred the chicken. Serve with sugar-free barbecue sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 211Carbohydrates: 1gProtein: 33gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 161mgSodium: 448mgPotassium: 455mgFiber: 0gSugar: 0gVitamin A: 310IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 1.6mg
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9 Comments

  1. I appreciate the simplicity of this recipe! My family decided the chicken was a little boring🙂. So, maybe I will increase spices next time . Thank you!

    1. For the instant pot I do fresh chicken thighs on manual high pressure for 10 minutes (or 15 minutes if frozen) and then natural release. I haven’t done this exact dish in my instant pot yet but it should be the same timing.

    1. “G Hughes Smokehouse” is available in Walmart, Target, etc but does use sucralose. It’s easy to make your own. Search “sugar free bbq sauce” on google and tons of recipes come up.

5 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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