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Crockpot BBQ Pulled Chicken

A delicious and easy-to-make pulled chicken dish cooked in a slow cooker, smothered in rich BBQ sauce, perfect for family meals or gatherings.

  • Total Time: 375 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp salt, to taste
  • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup grated yellow onion
  • 1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce, divided
  • 2 Tbsp steak sauce
  • 8 hamburger buns

Instructions

  1. Place chicken in a 5 – 7 quart slow cooker.
  2. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
  3. Pour the spice mixture over the chicken and add grated onion. Toss well to coat the chicken evenly.
  4. Pour 3/4 cup of BBQ sauce over the chicken.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 4 – 6 hours until the chicken shreds easily and reaches 165°F inside.
  6. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and reserve the liquid in the slow cooker. Skim off the fat from the liquid.
  7. Shred the chicken with two forks.
  8. Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
  9. Heat the remaining 3/4 cup BBQ sauce and 2 Tbsp of steak sauce in a microwave for 1 – 2 minutes until warm.
  10. Pour 3/4 cup of the reserved liquid and the BBQ sauce mixture over the chicken, tossing to coat. Adjust moisture with the reserved liquid or more BBQ sauce if needed, and season with salt to taste.
  11. Serve the pulled BBQ chicken in hamburger buns.

Notes

This dish can be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days or frozen for up to 2-3 months. Reheat on the stove or microwave before serving.

  • Author: miguel-santiago
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 360 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: None

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 400
  • Sugar: 15g
  • Sodium: 700mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 40g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 80mg

Keywords: pulled chicken, BBQ chicken, slow cooker, family meal, easy recipe