Crockpot Pulled BBQ Chicken Sandwiches are made by slow-cooking chicken with zesty BBQ sauce until it is tender and juicy. This BBQ crockpot pulled chicken is perfect for those who are looking for a quick and easy meal that is both delicious and nutritious.
One of the benefits of making crockpot BBQ chicken sandwiches is that it requires minimal effort. All you need to do is place the chicken, BBQ sauce and a couple other ingredients, in a crockpot and let it cook for several hours. This makes pulled chicken sandwiches a great option for busy weeknights or when you don’t feel like spending a lot of time in the kitchen.
Making Easy Pulled BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
Making easy pulled BBQ chicken sandwiches is a simple and delicious way to enjoy a classic BBQ dish. By using a crockpot, the chicken becomes incredibly tender and flavorful, making for a satisfying and filling meal. This recipe is so simple and calls for minimal ingredients, some of which may already by in your kitchen. Other similar recipes have chicken breasts and barbecue sauce in a crockpot with nothing else, this one has a few added ingredients which make it sensational! I like to top my sandwiches with fresh coleslaw! Our Easy Coleslaw recipe tastes just like KFC’s and comes together in minutes!
Why you should try this recipe today!
- Easy to make: This recipe is simple and easy to follow, making it perfect for anyone, even those who are new to cooking.
- Slow-cooked perfection: The chicken is slow-cooked in the crockpot, allowing the flavors to meld together and the meat to become tender and juicy.
- Versatile: This recipe can be served in a variety of ways, from sandwiches to tacos or even on top of a salad.
- Customizable: The BBQ sauce can be adjusted to your liking, whether you prefer it sweet or spicy.
- Budget-friendly: This recipe is affordable and can be made in bulk, making it perfect for feeding a crowd.
Pulled Chicken Sandwiches Ingredients
Chicken breasts: You will need 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts that have been sliced in half.
BBQ sauce: Use a 12-ounce bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce or use 1 ½ cups of homemade BBQ sauce, if preferred.
Italian salad dressing: Adding in ½ cup of Italian salad dressing really helps to add a kick of flavor to these chicken sandwiches.
Brown sugar: Using ½ cup of brown sugar will add a sweet and caramelized depth of flavor.
Worcestershire sauce: You need 2 TBSP of Worcestershire sauce to really make this sauce taste incredible.
Buns: No sandwich is complete without the bread. You will need 8 hamburger buns to make sure there’s plenty for all the meat sandwich filling.
How to make Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
Cook
Start by slicing each chicken breast in half and placing them in a slow cooker.
Sauce
In a separate bowl, mix the barbecue sauce, Italian dressing, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce until it is well blended. Proceed to pour the sauce over the chicken.
While it might look like it’s almost TOO much sauce, it really is a perfect amount after you shred the chicken, trust me.
Cover the crockpot and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low 6-8 hours.
Shred chicken
About 30 minutes prior to serving, shred the chicken. You can do this inside the crockpot or by pulling the separate pieces of chicken out and onto a plate, shredding them, then returning it to the sauce. Honestly, though, this part is simple no matter how you do it- the chicken is so tender it shreds easily.
Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot and stir into the sauce. Continue to cook for the remaining 30 minutes.
Assemble and Serve
When you’re ready to eat, scoop out the chicken and place it onto your hamburger buns.
Serve warm and enjoy!
What Goes with BBQ Shredded Chicken?
When it comes to serving BBQ shredded chicken, there are plenty of options for sides that will complement the smoky, tangy flavors of the dish. Here are a few ideas to get started:
Coleslaw
Coleslaw is a classic side dish for BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches. Its crisp, cool texture and creamy dressing provide a refreshing contrast to the rich, savory chicken. Consider making this homemade coleslaw with shredded cabbage, carrots, and a dressing made from mayonnaise, vinegar, and sugar.
Baked Beans
Baked beans are another common side dish for BBQ pulled chicken. The sweetness of the beans pairs well with the tangy BBQ sauce, and the dish provides a hearty, filling accompaniment to the sandwich. Try this amazing recipe for apple pie baked beans, they will not disappoint!
Corn on the Cob
Corn on the cob is a simple, seasonal side dish that can be grilled or boiled and served with butter and salt. Its sweetness and crunch provide a nice contrast to the soft, saucy chicken. If it’s out of season, this homemade creamed corn would make a great side dish as well.
Potato Salad
Potato salad is a classic picnic dish that can be made in advance and served cold alongside BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches. This loaded potato salad would accompany this shredded chicken dish perfectly!
Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is a comforting, cheesy side dish that pairs well with BBQ pulled chicken. Consider making our recipe for tomato bacon cheddar mac n’ cheese.
SLOW COOKER BBQ CHICKEN SANDWICHES
Ingredients
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts halved
- 12 oz BBQ sauce
- ½ cup Italian salad dressing
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 TBSP Worcestershire sauce
- 8 hamburger buns
Instructions
- Prep: Slice chicken breasts in half and then place them in a slow cooker.
- Sauce: In a separate bowl, mix the barbecue sauce, Italian dressing, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce until well blended. Pour the sauce over the chicken.
- Cook: Cover and cook on high 3-4 hours or on low 6-8 hours.
- Shred: About 30 minutes prior to serving, shred the chicken. You can do this inside the crockpot or by pulling the separate pieces of chicken out and onto a plate, shredding them, then returning it to the sauce. Honestly though, this part is simple no matter how you do it- the chicken is so tender it shreds easily.
- Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot and stir into the sauce. Cook for the remaining 30 minutes.
- Assemble and Serve: Scoop out the meaty chicken filling and place it onto your hamburger buns. Serve warm and enjoy.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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What are some toppings for BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches?
Some popular alternative toppings for BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches include coleslaw, pickles, jalapenos, and avocado. You can also experiment with different types of cheese, such as cheddar or pepper jack, to add some extra flavor.
Can I make pulled chicken sandwiches without using BBQ sauce?
Yes, you can make pulled chicken sandwiches without using BBQ sauce. Some alternative sauces you can use include buffalo sauce, honey mustard, or ranch dressing. You can also skip the sauce altogether and use a dry rub on the chicken for a different flavor profile.
How to store crockpot BBC Chicken?
To store leftover pulled chicken, let it cool to room temperature and then transfer it to an airtight container. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. When reheating, make sure to heat it thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure it is safe to eat.
What kind of BBQ sauce should I use?
You can use any bottled barbecue sauce of your choosing, but I personally prefer a sauce that has a good bold and spicy flavor kick to it. Please note that whatever sauce you use will greatly affect the end results. A nice hickory smoke or honey brown sugar blend are also pretty popular flavor choices.
Should you let the chicken cool before shredding?
Yes, at least for a minute or two. If you shred the chicken while it’s still practically boiling level hot, you risk burning yourself with the meat of juice splashing as you shred it. Give it a moment to cool down enough so that you won’t be hurt, and then shred the chicken. The warm chicken shreds great, but cold chicken is difficult to shred, so make sure you don’t let it sit out for too long.
Can you put frozen chicken in the crockpot?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken, although it might take a little longer to cook, and the end results may be a little more watery from the ice on the chicken thawing off. But once you shred the chicken, it should all mix together well.
Check out these other Amazing Chicken Recipes!
- Mexican Chicken Lasagna
- Fiesta Ranch Chicken Pasta Salad
- Chile Lime Smoked Chicken Wings
- Chicken Dumplings
- Orange Chicken
- Mexican Chicken Alfredo Pasta
- Baked Chicken Taquitos
- Chicken Parmesan Sliders
- Cashew Chicken Stir Fry
- Homemade Chicken Strips
- Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas
- Mexican Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- Ranch Chicken Cheese Dip
- Grilled Spatchcock Chicken
- Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken
Crockpot Pulled BBQ Chicken Sandwiches is simply the best easy weeknight dinner! Packed with flavor and with hardly any effort, you get to chow down on a tasty sandwich, thanks to this BBQ crockpot pulled chicken.
Erin @ Simple, Sweet & Savory says
YUM! I don’t know which part I like better. The fact that it’s BBQ chicken or that it’s made in a slow cooker. This looks like the perfect weeknight kid-friendly meal. Pinning!
Christine says
Great recipe! Put it in the slow cooker in the morning and had yummy sandwiches in the evening!
In our favorites section now.
Lisa Ehrman says
This looks wonderful and I love Slow-Cooker meals 🙂
Traci says
I order my chicken from say on as well. I cut my breast in half when freezing, do you use 6 halves or 3 whole breast (6) pieces? I was just wondering. Thanks
Traci says
My chicken from Zaycon.
Jessica says
I used 3 chicken breasts, then I halved them- so there were 6 pieces total. 🙂
Jennifer says
I have a question. I just ordered 40 lbs of zaycon chicken. We usually cook our chicken breasts on the grill, but the Zaycon chicken is cooking so much differently than grocery store chicken. It is turning extremely dry and unedible in my opinion. I’ve been googling like crazy trying to find a logical reason for this. I’m desperate to find a solution since I just bought 40 pounds of this stuff! Have you encountered this before.
Jessica says
That is so odd!! I’ve grilled mine many, many times- haven’t had anything abnormal happen. My only thought is that Zaycon chicken breasts tend to be gigantic. Did you cut them up at all before cooking? Just wondering if maybe the more narrower sides are drying out on the grill before the thick middle section is done? I haven’t notice that it cooks differently in any way- I usually bake a batch, put others in the crockpot, etc. The only thing different is the size, and because they’re so much larger, I usually cut each breast into 3 sections and cook 5 sections at a time per meal. I’m sorry I’m not more help!
Sue Hall says
If you double or triple the recipe, do you do same to seasoning ingredients? I need to cook for 25-30.
Sue
Alison says
Yes double or triple everything!