Description
Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken brings BBQ flavor indoors with zero grilling required. This family-friendly recipe creates fall-apart tender chicken that satisfies crowds with minimal effort.
Ingredients
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- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (chicken thighs work just as well and stay even juicier — use whichever your family prefers)
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- 1 bottle (18 oz) Sweet Baby Ray’s Original BBQ Sauce (any flavor of Sweet Baby Ray’s works beautifully — Honey BBQ and Hickory Brown Sugar are especially popular)
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- 1/4 cup chicken broth or water (just enough to thin the sauce slightly and prevent any scorching on a long LOW cook)
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- Salt and black pepper to taste
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- Optional additions: 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika — mix directly into the sauce before pouring
Instructions
Season the chicken breasts lightly with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika if using — just a light, even coating on both sides. Place the seasoned chicken in a single layer in the bottom of the slow cooker.
Stir the chicken broth into the bottle of Sweet Baby Ray’s until combined, then pour the mixture evenly over every piece of chicken in the slow cooker. Use a spoon to make sure every surface is coated.
Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours. Do not open the lid during the cook. The chicken is ready when it reaches 165°F internally and pulls apart very easily when pressed with a fork. Do not overcook — overcooked chicken on LOW goes from tender to dry and stringy quickly.
Remove the cooked chicken breasts to a cutting board and shred them thoroughly with two forks or place them in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat on low with the paddle attachment for 20 to 30 seconds. Return all the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir it into the BBQ sauce. Let it rest on WARM for 10 minutes so every shred absorbs the sauce completely.
Taste the shredded chicken and adjust. Add a splash more BBQ sauce if you want it saucier, a pinch of smoked paprika for more smokiness, or a teaspoon of hot sauce for heat. Pile generously onto toasted brioche buns for the ultimate BBQ chicken sandwich, spoon over baked potatoes, or serve in bowls over creamy coleslaw and rice for a complete meal.
Notes
Use crockpot liners for easy cleanup.
Double recipe and freeze half for future meals.
Add sliced onions underneath chicken for extra flavor.
Serve on buns for BBQ chicken sandwiches.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American