BBQ Pulled Chicken
- By Amy Dong
- Updated Aug. 1, 2025
This BBQ pulled chicken is one of those meals I can start in the morning and forget about until dinner. It’s always juicy, bold, smoky, and ready when I need it. Fantastic for meal prep and gatherings!
In This Article
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Video: Watch Us Make This Recipe
Amy’s Notes
I make this BBQ Pulled Chicken when I want bold, smoky flavor without the grill. It’s hands-off, juicy, and totally satisfying. Here’s why I keep this recipe on repeat:
- Full of Flavor: The sauce is smoky, sweet, and tangy with garlic, brown sugar, and a splash of liquid smoke. It reminds me of this Kalua Pork.
- Easy Slow Cooker Prep: I toss everything into the slow cooker and let it do the work. No grill, no oven, and barely any cleanup, just like with my Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork.
- Super Tender Results: Chicken thighs are the secret to juicy, flavorful pulled chicken. They shred beautifully and stay moist even after hours of cooking.
- Great for Meal Prep: I make a big batch, then portion it out for sandwiches, wraps, and barbecue-style bowls. It’s even better the next day, like our Crockpot Cranberry BBQ Pulled Pork.
- Reliable a Party or Crowd: Serve it with buns, coleslaw, or a scoop of baked beans – it all works!
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Chicken Thighs – Juicy and flavorful, boneless skinless chicken thighs become incredibly tender when slow cooked, making them ideal for shredding.
- Honey Barbecue Sauce – Sweet and tangy with a hint of smokiness, BBQ sauce brings bold flavor and creates a rich, sticky coating for the pulled chicken.
- Apple Cider Vinegar & Brown Sugar – This sweet-tart combo balances the sauce and deepens the overall flavor with a perfect mix of acidity and sweetness.
- Garlic, Onion Powder & Oregano – These pantry staples build savory depth and enhance the natural richness of the chicken.
- Liquid Smoke – Just a small amount adds authentic smoky flavor without the need for a grill or smoker.
Substitutions And Variations
Here are some of our favorite substitutions and variations:
- Chicken Options: If you prefer leaner meat, use a combination of thighs and breasts. All breast meat can be used, but keep an eye on cook time to avoid dryness.
- BBQ Sauce Variations: Honey barbecue sauce adds sweetness and depth, but you can use any style of BBQ sauce you love – spicy, smoky, tangy, or mustard-based. Mix two sauces together for a custom blend.
- Vinegar Substitute: Apple cider vinegar gives the sauce a bit of tang, but white vinegar or red wine vinegar can be used in a pinch.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- Make the sauce.
- Add sauce to chicken.
- Slow cook until tender.
- Shred the chicken.
- Mix and cook again.
- Serve as desired.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
Take a look at our best prep-ahead strategies for this recipe:
- Fully Cook Ahead of Time: The entire pulled chicken can be cooked, shredded, and finished in the sauce up to 2 days in advance. Reheat on Low in the slow cooker or gently on the stovetop. Add a splash of extra barbecue sauce if needed.
- Perfect for Freezing: Make a large batch and freeze in portioned containers for up to one month. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat for quick sandwiches, salads, or wraps.
What To Serve with BBQ Pulled Chicken
Sandwich Toppings & Sides
- We love piling BBQ Pulled Chicken high on toasted homemade sandwich rolls with a side of Easy Ranch Potato Salad for a backyard-style meal.
- It also goes great with crisp dill pickles, creamy coleslaw, or even tucked into soft brioche buns for easy sliders.
Picnic Sides
- For a classic combo, serve it with a warm scoop of Brown Sugar Baked Beans. The sweet and savory beans pair perfectly with the smoky barbecue flavor.
- Hawaiian Macaroni Salad or Corn Avocado Salad are also great options when you want something creamy or fresh on the side.
Meal Prep Favorites
- This chicken is perfect for weekday lunches. Serve it over Cilantro Lime Rice or in flour tortillas for quick wraps.
- It’s also delicious in bowls with greens, beans, and your favorite toppings for a loaded barbecue salad.
Did you make this?
Please give us a rating and comment below. We love hearing from you!
BBQ Pulled Chicken
This slow cooker BBQ pulled chicken recipe results in superbly tender, juicy, and succulent pulled chicken with just the right amount of smoky flavor.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 6 tablespoons brown sugar, tightly packed
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups honey barbecue sauce, plus more as needed
- 1 ½ tablespoons liquid smoke
- 4 lbs chicken thighs, skinless/boneless
Optional Serving Suggestions:
- buns, or sandwich rolls
- pickles
- coleslaw
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except chicken in a bowl. Mix sauce ingredients well. Sauce can be made well ahead of time and kept in fridge until ready to use.
- Thoroughly dry chicken pieces with paper towels. Combine chicken with sauce and place in slow cooker. Cook 2 1/2 to 3 hours on High, or 5 1/2 to 6 hours on Low.
- Carefully remove chicken from slow cooker with tongs. Keep slow cooker lid on and keep sauce warm. Gently pull chicken apart with forks, but not too finely.
- Return shredded chicken into slow cooker. Toss well to make sure chicken is fully coated in sauce. Add more BBQ sauce if needed. Cook another 30-45 minutes on High. Keep warm until ready to serve.
- Toast buns or sandwich rolls and serve with pickles or coleslaw, if desired.
Notes
- We highly recommend using chicken thighs, as they produce much more tender results than chicken breasts would. If you’d really like to use chicken breasts, we suggest using 50/50 along with chicken thighs.
- We like Sweet Baby Ray’s honey barbecue sauce for this recipe, but feel free to use your favorite brand.
- Entire slow cooker can be prepared the night before and kept in the fridge until ready to cook. Keep in mind that if you’re starting with a cold slow cooker and cold ingredients, you’ll need to increase cook time a bit.
- Leftovers can be stored in fridge for up to several days, or frozen for up to a month.
- This recipe is part of our Summer Recipes Collection.
- We love piling BBQ Pulled Chicken high on toasted homemade sandwich rolls with a side of Easy Ranch Potato Salad for a backyard-style meal.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 246kcal | Carbohydrates: 30.2g | Protein: 12.5g | Fat: 8.3g | Saturated Fat: 1.5g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 880.9mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 24.3g
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to sear the chicken before putting it in the slow cooker?
Nope! No searing needed. Just dry the chicken well with paper towels before placing it in the sauce mixture. The slow cooker will do all the work for you.
Can I prep this the night before?
Yes! You can mix the sauce and add the chicken to the slow cooker insert the night before. Store it covered in the fridge, then set it to cook the next day. If starting cold, increase the cook time slightly.
What kind of barbecue sauce works best?
Any good-quality honey barbecue sauce will do. Sweet Baby Ray’s is a favorite, but feel free to use your go-to brand or even a homemade version.
Do I need to shred the chicken finely?
No. For the best texture, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces but don’t over-shred. You want it saucy and tender, not mushy.
How long does BBQ pulled chicken keep?
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 1 month. Reheat gently with a splash of broth or extra barbecue sauce to keep it juicy.
More to Cook And Eat
- BBQ Chicken Salad – I make this BBQ Chicken Salad when I need a salad my teen boys will actually devour. With perfectly grilled chicken, beans, corn, and crisp greens, it’s a protein-packed, boldly flavorful meal.
- BBQ Chicken Nachos Recipe – This BBQ Chicken Nachos is a deliciously fun way to kick up Nachos Night. Boldly flavored chicken, melted cheese, and all the fixings make this recipe great for parties, gamedays, or a fun family meal!
- BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe – This BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe is a homemade version of California Pizza Kitchen’s all-time favorite.
- BBQ Chopped Chicken Sandwiches – Go beyond an old sandwich routine this school year. Kick up the excitement of healthy, wholesome sandwiches in the kids’ (and your own) lunch sacks