Pulled BBQ Chicken Recipe

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This pulled BBQ chicken recipe couldn't get any easier. Made with 3 simple ingredients in the Crockpot or Instant Pot, it's the ultimate hands-off meal. This is serious dinner goals!

Pulled bbq chicken in a bun on a white plate.

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Why You'll Love BBQ Shredded Chicken
Ingredient Information and Substitutions
How To Make BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
Frequently Asked Questions
Tips For Making This BBQ Chicken Sandwich Recipe
What To Serve With Shredded BBQ Chicken
Other Shredded Chicken Recipes To Try
Pulled BBQ Chicken Recipe

Why You'll Love BBQ Shredded Chicken

When it comes to slow cooker dinners, I prefer the recipes that don't involve too much work besides mixing a few ingredients in a pot. I mean, if I wanted to be browning things and all sorts of extra tasks, I'd be cooking a meal stovetop, amirite?!

This easy and delicious slow cooker BBQ chicken recipe is just that. Three simple ingredients that you can mix right in the pot, then cover it and let it go so you can focus on other things. After a few hours on high, give it a quick shred and it's ready to serve!

It's the stuff that slow cooking weeknight dreams are made of. And I even include Instant Pot directions, in case you forget to plan ahead (as we sometimes do!). The results are consistently fall-apart tender meat with a light coat of a sweet and tangy sauce, perfect for pulled chicken sandwiches and more! Here are just a few more reasons you'll love this recipe:

Hands-off cooking
Makes a big batch
Great for meal prep
Kid-approved
Easy for parties

A close up image of shredded bbq chicken.

Ingredient Information and Substitutions

Chicken- I love using boneless, skinless breasts for this recipe, but it would be just as delicious with boneless, skinless chicken thighs!
BBQ Sauce- Use your favorite bottled BBQ Sauce. I'd say aim for smoky or hickory flavors over anything too sweet.
Apple Cider- You can totally substitute an equal amount of apple juice for the same delicious results.

An overhead image of labeled recipe ingredients.

How To Make BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

Step 1- Mix the sauce and cider and add the chicken.

Pour the BBQ sauce and apple cider into the Crockpot, then whisk together until well combined.

Place one breast at a time into the crock, coating it all over in the sauce mixture. Tongs make this easy!

BBQ sauce and apple cider mixed together in a slow cooker bowl and then pieces of raw chicken breast added to the bowl.

Step 3- Cover and cook.

Cover the slow cooker and set it to High for 4-6 hours.

The slow cooker covered and cooking and then the cover off with the cooked chicken in the pot.

Step 4- Shred and serve.

Remove the chicken and shred. Spoon some of the leftover sauce over the top and toss to coat, then pile onto buns!

Cooked chicken pieces in a pan and then the shredded chicken with a ladle spooning sauce over it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cook this on Low instead of High?

Yes, but you'll need to increase the cooking time to about 8 hours.

What do I do if there isn't much sauce when it's done?

This means the cover may not have been secured (this happened to me In my experience, the chicken releases liquid and there tends to be a more liquid-y juices at the bottom. But either way, don't worry! Just add more BBQ sauce.

Can I use frozen chicken breasts?

Yes, just be sure to cook them for more like 6 hours (this is exactly why I give a range).

What's the easiest way to shred chicken breasts?

I find that using two forks gets the job done easily and quickly, without adding too many more dishes. You can use meat claws if you have them, or toss the chicken in your stand mixer (with the paddle attachment) if you're shredding a big batch! The key is, don't over-shred. It'll shred up a little more when you mix in sauce.

A bun with the top off and shredded bbq chicken with more bbq sauce drizzled on top.

Tips For Making This BBQ Chicken Sandwich Recipe

Don't even think about dirtying up another dish! Mix your favorite barbecue sauce and apple cider right in the pot. It's what makes this recipe so easy!
Turn the chicken in the sauce to coat before covering and cooking. It guarantees every bite is infused with flavor.
Add some onion to stretch the meat even further! Thinly slice a yellow or white onion, then nestle the slices around and under the chicken breasts.
Don't over-shred the chicken, or it will become stringy. It will naturally shred more when you toss it with the sauce.
Go slow when adding the sauce that's left in the pot. You want to moisten the chicken slightly, not drench it. You can always add more later.
Ingredients to prep ahead- You can mix the BBQ sauce and cider together if you want, but I don't see a reason to!
Leftovers and storage- Shredded chicken will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator or up to 4 months in the freezer.

A close up image of the side of a bbq chicken sandwich.

What To Serve With Shredded BBQ Chicken

This is obviously great on a sandwich, but I'll sometimes add shredded chicken to salads or rice bowls depending on my mood. You can't go wrong with some crunchy coleslaw or grilled veggies, and a big pasta salad is perfect when feeding a crowd. Here are a few more ideas to pair with your BBQ shredded chicken sandwich:

Other Shredded Chicken Recipes To Try

Love this recipe? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down. Check out my Amazon Store for all my favorite tools, including those used in this recipe. And follow @thelifejolie on Instagram and TikTok!