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Zesty Slow Cooker Chicken Barbecue Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 3.8 from 85 reviews
  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 hours
  • Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

This Zesty Slow Cooker Chicken Barbecue recipe delivers tender, flavorful shredded chicken infused with a tangy blend of barbecue sauce, Italian dressing, and spices. Perfect for a hands-off meal, the chicken cooks low and slow in the crockpot, making it juicy and easy to shred. Serve it piled high on sandwich buns or over rice, optionally topped with crisp coleslaw for added texture and flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Sauce

  • 1 cup barbecue sauce
  • 1/2 cup Italian dressing
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste

To Serve

  • Sandwich buns or rice
  • Optional coleslaw for topping

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker, arranging them in a single layer for even cooking.
  2. Make the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce, Italian dressing, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until fully combined and smooth.
  3. Coat the chicken: Pour the prepared sauce mixture evenly over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker, making sure each piece is well coated with the flavorful sauce.
  4. Cook low and slow: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on the low setting for 6 to 7 hours, or if pressed for time, cook on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is tender and shreds easily.
  5. Shred the chicken: Remove the cooked chicken breasts from the slow cooker and use two forks to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces.
  6. Mix shredded chicken with sauce: Return the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker and stir well to coat it evenly with the remaining sauce, enhancing the flavor and moisture.
  7. Serve: Spoon the warm shredded BBQ chicken onto sandwich buns or over bowls of rice. For extra crunch and flavor, top with optional coleslaw before serving.

Notes

  • Use your favorite style of barbecue sauce – whether smoky, sweet, or spicy – to customize the flavor profile.
  • Chicken thighs can be substituted for breasts to yield juicier, more flavorful meat.
  • This recipe is ideal for meal prep or potlucks as it holds well and can be easily reheated.

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Find it online: https://flavorfulmealguide.com/zesty-slow-cooker-chicken-barbecue-recipe/