Easy Tender Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Recipe with 3 Simple Ingredients
A simple, hands-off slow cooker BBQ chicken recipe using just three ingredients that delivers tender, flavorful, and juicy chicken perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes to 8 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch of salt (optional)
- Pinch of black pepper (optional)
- 2–3 drops liquid smoke (optional)
Instructions
- Pat 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon garlic powder, plus a pinch of salt and black pepper evenly over both sides.
- Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer at the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Pour 1 cup of barbecue sauce evenly over the chicken breasts. Spread the sauce so every piece is coated. Add 2-3 drops of liquid smoke if desired.
- Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
- When done, shred the chicken using two forks directly in the slow cooker and mix with the sauce. If excess liquid remains, simmer uncovered on high for 10-15 minutes to thicken.
- Serve warm on buns, over rice, or with roasted vegetables.
Notes
Pat chicken dry before seasoning to avoid steaming. Use a thicker BBQ sauce for better coating. Cooking on low heat for 6-8 hours yields the best tender texture. Leftovers taste better the next day as flavors meld. Can cook on high for 3-4 hours but check to avoid dryness. Chicken thighs can be substituted with adjusted cooking time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1/6 of
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 3
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Protein: 35
Keywords: slow cooker BBQ chicken, easy BBQ chicken, tender chicken recipe, 3 ingredient chicken, crockpot BBQ chicken, weeknight dinner, shredded chicken