Go Back
–+ servings
Delicious crockpot BBQ chicken served with sides on a wooden table

Crockpot BBQ Chicken

A fuss-free, crowd-pleasing meal where chicken simmers in a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, fat trimmed off You can also use chicken thighs for richer flavor.
  • 1 1/4 cups barbecue sauce (sweet styles like Honey BBQ work well) Reduce sweetness with less sweet BBQ sauce.
  • 1/2 cup Italian dressing (fat-free works fine)
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar Reduce to 1/8 cup or omit for less sweet.
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Lightly coat the inside of a large crockpot with non-stick spray or line it with a slow cooker liner for easy cleanup.
  2. Pat the trimmed chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Arrange the breasts in a single layer in the bottom of the crockpot.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce, Italian dressing, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar until smooth.
  4. Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken, making sure each piece is covered.
Cooking
  1. Cover and cook on high for 2.5 to 3 hours or on low for 5 to 6 hours. Check doneness with an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part; it should read 165 F.
  2. When the chicken is fully cooked, serve the breasts whole or shred them with two forks directly in the crockpot so the meat absorbs extra sauce.
  3. Taste and adjust seasoning with a little more salt or pepper, then serve as desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 35gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 850mgFiber: 1gSugar: 12g

Notes

For a heartier pairing, serve with rice or mashed potatoes. You can use different cheeses or a drizzle of ranch for creamy contrast. This dish can also be made spicier with a hot sauce addition or by swapping brown sugar with maple syrup or honey.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!