Description
This Zesty Slow Cooker Chicken Barbecue is a simple and flavorful recipe perfect for an easy weeknight dinner. Tender boneless chicken breasts are slow-cooked in a tangy barbecue sauce mixture with Italian dressing, brown sugar, and spices, resulting in juicy, shredded chicken bursting with flavor. Serve it on buns, over rice, or in wraps for a versatile meal your family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Sauce
- 1 bottle (18 oz) barbecue sauce
- 1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: red pepper flakes for heat
Instructions
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker, spreading them out evenly.
- Make the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce, Italian salad dressing, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using, until well combined.
- Coat the Chicken: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker, then turn the chicken to coat all pieces evenly with the sauce.
- Cook the Chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is tender and can be shredded easily with a fork.
- Shred the Chicken: Using two forks, shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker pot and stir it to combine thoroughly with the barbecue sauce.
- Let it Absorb Flavor: Keep the shredded chicken on the warm setting for 10 to 15 minutes to absorb more of the zesty sauce flavors before serving.
Notes
- Serve on buns, over rice, or in wraps for a versatile meal option.
- For a juicier result, substitute chicken thighs instead of breasts.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
