Name: BBQ Shredded Chicken – Quick and Easy Recipes for the Crockpot
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 125 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts; 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (plus extra for serving); 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/4 teaspoon onion powder; Salt and pepper to taste

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This BBQ shredded chicken is our answer to a weeknight dinner that actually feels like a treat. It’s juicy, tender, and coated in just the right amount of sweet-and-smoky sauce that clings to every strand of chicken. We’re talking minimal prep here, just five minutes of actual work before the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting. It’s perfect for days when dinner needs to cook itself while you’re juggling, well, everything else. Grab a pack of buns, throw in some pickles, and boom—you’ve got sandwiches. Or pile it on baked potatoes, use it in tacos, or even top off your mac and cheese. Basically, this chicken is your new best friend when meal prep needs to keep up with your life. And the best part? You only need a handful of ingredients and no special skills. Whether you’re craving easy recipes for dinner, air fryer easy recipes for leftovers, or ideas that start with rotisserie chicken—this fits right in.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy BBQ Shredded Chicken Recipe
3) Ingredients for BBQ Shredded Chicken
4) How to Make BBQ Shredded Chicken
5) Tips for Making BBQ Shredded Chicken
6) Making BBQ Shredded Chicken Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover BBQ Shredded Chicken
8) Try these Chicken recipes next!
9) BBQ Shredded Chicken Recipe
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

Slow-cooked chicken that falls apart with a fork.
Only five minutes of prep before you hit start.
Customizable for sandwiches, tacos, or rice bowls.
Leftovers are perfect for air fryer transformations.

2) Easy BBQ Shredded Chicken Recipe

This is the kind of meal that makes you feel like you’ve got it all together, even when your day has been anything but. We’re talking about quick and easy recipes that hit all the right notes. The kind that doesn’t ask you to chop fifteen things or clean five pans. This BBQ shredded chicken gets to the point, and the point is dinner.

I always keep a few chicken breasts in the freezer for moments like this. Toss them in the crockpot with some barbecue sauce, add a pinch of garlic and onion powder, then walk away. I usually do this before lunch, and by dinnertime, it smells like I spent hours working a grill.

So whether you’re looking for easy recipes with rotisserie chicken, stretching your budget with dinner that feeds six, or looking for air fryer easy recipes for the leftovers, this one’s earned a permanent spot on your list of quick and easy recipes that actually deliver.

3) Ingredients for BBQ Shredded Chicken

Chicken Breasts: Go with boneless, skinless. About a pound and a half works. They soak up the sauce while staying juicy, and they shred like magic when slow-cooked.

BBQ Sauce: Half a cup to start, then more if you like it saucy. Use whatever brand you love. I’ve tried smoky, sweet, spicy—they all work beautifully.

Garlic Powder: Just a little shake adds warmth and depth to the chicken. It’s a pantry staple that pulls its weight.

Onion Powder: This rounds out the flavor. It doesn’t scream onion, but it fills in the background the way a good harmony should.

Salt and Pepper: Add them to taste. Start small—you can always add more once the chicken is shredded and sauced.

4) How to Make BBQ Shredded Chicken

Step 1. Set your slow cooker to low. Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the pot, spaced so they cook evenly. You don’t need to sear them or do anything fancy—just drop them in.

Step 2. Sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper over the chicken. You’re aiming for a thin, even coat. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect—it all comes together in the end.

Step 3. Pour half a cup of BBQ sauce over the top. Use a spoon or spatula to spread it around a bit so it touches every piece of chicken.

Step 4. Cover the slow cooker with the lid and walk away. Cook for about two hours on low. If your chicken is extra thick, give it an extra 15 to 30 minutes.

Step 5. Once it’s done, shred the chicken using two forks. You can do this in the slow cooker or pull it out onto a plate. Then return the shredded meat to the sauce and stir it well.

Step 6. Let it sit on warm for another 10 to 15 minutes. The chicken absorbs more flavor while it rests. Add extra BBQ sauce if you like it stickier or bolder.

5) Tips for Making BBQ Shredded Chicken

Use fresh or thawed chicken. I know it’s tempting to toss frozen chicken straight into the slow cooker, but trust me—thaw it first. It cooks more evenly and tastes way better.

If you’re in a hurry, you can cook it on high for one hour, but the low-and-slow method always gives the best texture. That’s where the magic happens. The chicken turns tender and pulls apart with almost no effort.

One last thing—don’t skip the final rest time. It gives the meat a chance to drink in that sauce and hold onto it. You’ll thank yourself when it’s packed with flavor, bite after bite.

6) Making BBQ Shredded Chicken Ahead of Time

If you like to meal prep, this one’s a dream. You can cook the chicken in the morning, shred it, and let it hang out in the fridge until dinnertime. It actually tastes better the next day, which is rare for a quick dinner recipe.

I’ve made this on a Sunday and portioned it into containers for the week. It works great in wraps, on buns, or tossed into a grain bowl. You can even reheat it in a skillet with a splash of water to freshen it up.

Need to reheat in bulk? Microwave it covered, or throw it into a baking dish and warm it in the oven. It stays juicy and doesn’t dry out if you go low and slow.

7) Storing Leftover BBQ Shredded Chicken

Once your chicken has cooled down, transfer it to an airtight container. Pop it in the fridge and it’ll stay good for four to five days.

If you’re not going to finish it that fast, freeze it. It freezes like a champ. Portion it into bags or containers and label them with the date. When you’re ready, let it thaw overnight in the fridge.

To reheat, use the microwave or toss it in a hot pan with a spoonful of water or extra sauce. It comes back to life with barely any effort, just like that. Great for quick lunches or weeknight dinners that don’t ask much from you.

8) Try these Chicken recipes next!

9) BBQ Shredded Chicken Recipe