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Crockpot BBQ Chicken

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 9 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 2–3 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
  • 1½–2 cups BBQ sauce
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp  smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp  black pepper
  • Optional: 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Season the Chicken
    Place the chicken breasts directly into the slow cooker.
    Sprinkle them evenly with:
    garlic powder
    smoked paprika
    onion powder
    salt and pepper
    The seasoning layer helps flavor the meat before the sauce even gets involved.
  2. Step 2: Add the BBQ Sauce
    Pour the BBQ sauce over the chicken.
    If you're adding vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, or brown sugar, stir them together with the sauce before pouring it in.
    Make sure the chicken is well coated.
    Not swimming—but covered.
  3. Step 3: Slow Cook Until Tender
    Cover and cook:
    LOW: 5–6 hours
    HIGH: 2½–3 hours
    Low heat usually produces slightly more tender chicken.
    But if dinner is happening soon, high heat works just fine.
    The chicken should reach 165°F internally and shred easily with a fork.
  4. Step 4: Shred the Chicken
    Remove the chicken briefly from the slow cooker.
    Use two forks to shred it into bite-size pieces.
    Then return it to the sauce and stir everything together.
    Let it sit in the sauce for another 10–15 minutes. That short rest makes a big difference—it allows the shredded chicken to soak up more flavor.