If you’re looking for a delicious, family-friendly recipe that practically cooks itself, this Crockpot Shredded Barbecue Chicken Breast is about to become your new favorite. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep time, you’ll have tender, flavorful chicken perfect for sandwiches, sliders, wraps, or bowls. It’s a weeknight dinner dream come true!

This dish is so simple, I laugh at even calling this a “recipe” post. With only a few simple ingredients and a few minutes of prep time, crockpot shredded barbecue chicken might be the easiest main dish you’ll make all month.

This simple crockpot barbecue chicken recipe combines only a few staple ingredients and requires only 5 minutes of prep time. The slow cooker does all the work.

As someone who loves to cook so much I started a food blog, there are still SO many nights when I just cannot be bothered to put a lot of thought into our dinner. When I need a staple dish that I know the whole family will eat (HAPPILY EVEN!!!), this is my go to.

This is easily our most frequently eaten meal at the Schultz house. My kids (5 and 3) love it, my husband and I love it, and it can be served in SO many different ways we never get tired of it. It’s almost always on our weekly rotation. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Our family prefers the texture and taste slow cooker BBQ chicken breast but thighs work great too.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Effortless and hands-off – Let the slow cooker do all the work while you go about your day. It takes 5 minutes of prep time or less! Serve it with a “steam in the bag” veggie for the easiest meal ever!
Great for meal prep – Make a big batch and enjoy leftovers all week. You can even freeze it. Future you will thank current you!
Kid-approved and versatile – Serve it on buns, in tacos, on BBQ chicken pizza, on a salad, or over a baked potato. We also love making BBQ chicken mac and cheese with it! Serve it up with my Better than the Box Mac and Cheese and some steamed broccoli!
Budget-friendly – Uses pantry staples and affordable ingredients. Unfortunately, grocery prices are no joke. This dish is an affordable way to feed your family, especially if you stock up on chicken when it’s on sale! You can substitute boneless skinless thighs too!
Freezer-friendly – Make now, enjoy later!

The ingredients in this slow cooker pulled BBQ chicken recipe include: boneless skinless chicken breasts, seasonings, chicken broth or water, and the BBQ sauce of your choice.

Ingredients in This Crockpot Shredded Barbecue Chicken Recipe

The ingredients list is super simple on purpose. The chicken breast and bbq sauce are the stars of the show, and the only required ingredients. Otherwise you can use whatever seasonings and liquid you have on hand (even water) to make this simple but delicious dish.

Chicken breast: Lean, high-protein base that soaks up all the barbecue flavor.
Chicken broth: Adds moisture and helps tenderize the chicken during slow cooking.
Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings that bring out the natural flavors.
Onion powder and garlic powder: Add savory depth without the need to chop anything.
Paprika: Brings a touch of warmth and subtle smokiness to balance the sweet BBQ sauce.
BBQ sauce: The star of the show! It coats the shredded chicken in sweet, tangy, smoky flavor. Use your favorite store-bought option or make your own if you’re feeling fancy. We love Sweet Baby Ray’s and also the Kroger Brand Sweet & Tangy BBQ Sauce.

Add all ingredients to the slow cooker and cook for 3-4 hours on high or 6-7 hours on low.

How to Store This Recipe

In the fridge: Store cooled shredded BBQ chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
In the freezer: Place in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
To reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add a splash of broth or BBQ sauce to keep it moist.

Shred this crockpot barbecue chicken recipe directly in the crockpot and add extra bbq sauce before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen chicken breasts?
Yes! Just make sure they’re separated and not frozen in a big clump. Add an extra hour to the cook time.

Do I need to sear the chicken first?
Nope! This is a true dump-and-go recipe—no searing required.

What’s the best BBQ sauce to use?
Any kind you love! Sweet Baby Ray’s, Stubbs, or a homemade sauce all work beautifully.

Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely. Just make sure your slow cooker can handle the volume and add a little extra cook time if needed.

These easy crockpot barbecue chicken recipe can be served in a variety of ways: on buns, over rice, as quesadillas or tacos, as a topping for BBQ pizza, and so much more. We love serving it with my mac and cheese recipe.

How To Make This Easy Crockpot Barbecue Chicken Recipe:

Add the chicken: Place chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker.
Season: Sprinkle salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika over the chicken.
Add broth: Pour chicken broth around (not directly on top of) the seasoned chicken.
Add BBQ: Add half the BBQ sauce on top of the chicken.
Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is very tender.
Shred: Remove chicken and shred using two forks.
Add sauce: Return shredded chicken to the crockpot and stir in remaining BBQ sauce. Let it warm for 15–20 minutes more.
Serve: Enjoy on buns, in wraps, over rice, or however you like!

This Crockpot Shredded Barbecue Chicken Breast recipe is the kind of meal you’ll want on repeat. It’s cozy, comforting, and incredibly easy—just the way we like it!

You’ll love making it on a weekend and enjoying it on your busiest weeknights or tossing it in the crockpot before a busy day for a warm and comforting meal you deserve.