
Easy BBQ Chicken in the Crockpot: The Ultimate Weeknight Meal
Busy weeknights can often leave us scrambling for dinner ideas that are both quick and satisfying. Enter the crockpot! This handy kitchen appliance allows you to create delicious, tender BBQ chicken with minimal effort. Just set it and forget it, and come home to a comforting meal that the whole family will love. Let’s dive into this easy recipe that promises to become a staple in your weeknight dinner rotation.
Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours on low
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Servings: 4-6
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Buns for serving (optional)
- Coleslaw for topping (optional)
- Pickles for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Start by placing the boneless, skinless chicken breasts at the bottom of your crockpot. This will allow them to cook evenly and absorb all the flavors of the ingredients you’ll add next.
Step 2: Mix the Sauce
In a medium bowl, combine the BBQ sauce, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Whisk these ingredients together until well blended.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken
Pour the BBQ sauce mixture over the chicken in the crockpot, ensuring that the chicken is well coated. Cover the crockpot with its lid and set it to cook on low for 6 hours. If you’re short on time, you can also set it to high for about 3 hours, but low and slow yields the best results!
Step 4: Shred the Chicken
Once the cooking time is up, use two forks to shred the chicken right in the crockpot. Stir the shredded chicken into the sauce to ensure it’s fully coated. If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can let it cook for an additional 30 minutes with the lid off.
Step 5: Serve
Serve the BBQ chicken on buns for a delicious sandwich option. You can also serve it over rice for a hearty meal or alongside your favorite sides like grilled corn or a fresh salad. Top with coleslaw and pickles for added flavor and crunch!
Tips for the Perfect BBQ Chicken
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in BBQ sauce for a few hours before cooking.
- Feel free to customize the spices in the sauce to match your taste preferences.
- This recipe is great for meal prepping. You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
- Freeze any leftover BBQ chicken for an easy meal later on!
Conclusion
This BBQ chicken crockpot recipe is a game-changer for busy weeknights. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a mouthwatering meal that’s easy to prepare and even easier to devour. It’s family-friendly, packed with flavor, and perfect for serving a crowd. Give it a try and see how it becomes a favorite in your household!
