Can we talk about the fact that I hate making dinner? It's not so much the cooking that I hate - it's more of the planning. I get easily distracted from thoughts of making dinner during the day and then 5 o'clock rolls around and I'm left scrambling. This is precisely why I've vowed to start using my slow cooker more often. I love that "set it and forget it" mindset, but I also like recipes that are simple and include ingredients I already have on hand. There's nothing worse than finding a fabulous looking recipe, only to realize that you need to spend $40 on ingredients you don't own to make it a reality. That's why I love this recipe for slow cooker barbecue chicken. I usually have most of the stuff for it, it's so incredibly easy to prepare, and it makes a ton of food!
I always stock up on boneless skinless chicken breasts when they go on sale at our local supermarket. Every few months they are buy one, get one free so I end up spending $5 or $6 on the chicken for this meal and it ends up feeding my husband and I for about 4 meals (2 nights of sandwiches, then 2 nights of barbecue chicken pizza.
I love to add a ½ bottle of good beer to this dish.
It's totally optional, but I think it adds a lot of flavor!
Such little prep work for such a good meal!
Easy Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 thawed boneless skinless chicken breasts 2+ pounds preferably
- 1 18 ounce bottle of your favorite barbecue sauce (I prefer Sweet Baby Ray's Original)
- ½ bottle beer optional
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1-2 cloves garlic minced (to taste - we use 2)
- ½ of a medium sized sweet onion we love onions so sometimes I use a whole one
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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Instructions
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Mix all of the ingredients together in a large bowl (minus the chicken)
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Place your chicken breasts in your slow cooker - if they're super thick, I like to butterfly them.
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Pour your sauce and ingredients mixture over the chicken and stir it around to be sure chicken is coated.
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Cook on high for 3 hours, then low for an additional hour or two. Or, you can cook on low for 5-6 hours.
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Chicken will be easily shredded with a fork.
If you like it, pin it!
Beth R says
I feel exactly the same. I love the cooking, just hate planning it out :). I am going to have to try this one out. Thanks
Carol L says
This looks awesome. I have a new slow cooker and haven't used it yet.since I just bought a whole bunch of chicken, the timing was perfect. :)Is there a specific vinegar you use or any would do ? Thanks for sharing.
Carol L
Amber Ludwig says
I personally haaaaaate barbeque, like hate hate. But... hubby and my son absolutely love it. Us moms sacrifice for our own though 😉 So this is definitely going on my easy dinner meal list!! I love anything super easy!!
Judy maharrey says
THIS SOUNDS DELICIOUS! I WILL BE MAKING IT SOON.
Carrie Bostic says
Looks yummy!
Brigid OHara Koshko says
This looks delicious and easy to prepare! My kids will love this. Thanks for the recipe - I know what I am making for dinner tonight.
Karen Jaras says
I will have to try this for the grandkids. It would be perfect for summer picnics.
RANDY FULGHAM says
THIS SOUNDS VERY GOOD--THANKS FOR SHARING
Nicole K says
I went back to college last month and I turning to my slow cooker more and more. I love that I can start it in the morning and come home to a hot supper, definitely going to be trying this one out, my family loves pulled pork I can't imagine them not loving this!
lisa says
I love BBQ chicken sandwiches with coleslaw. I'll have to try this recipe. I like that you use boneless, skinless breast. I only use white meat.
Andrea Monteagudo says
Looks so yummy! Have all those ingredients and planning on making it tomorrow! Thanks!!
AC says
This looks very good. I will have to try making it sometime.
Jerry Marquardt says
This recipe looked so good, I copied it down. I am due to make this this coming weekend. I thank you for the share.
Kathleen S. says
Now I know what to make for dinner! Thanks! 🙂 and Happy Friday!
christine k says
We made this for dinner last night and it really was super easy to make. We didn't care for it, though. I think it is heavily dependent upon the type of barbecue sauce you use and what beer you add in. We used our favourite sauce, Stubbs Smokey Mesquite (what we always use with our chicken).
I honestly think it would have just worked better to cook the chicken in the crock pot with some of the sauce without adding anything, shred, then add a bit more sauce to get to the consistency you want. The onions, although one of my favourite foods, didn't really help it out.
I still give it a solid 2 stars simply because the sauce/beer added could have been a huge part of it, and it was super easy to make.