Tender Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
A simple and easy slow cooker recipe for tender, juicy BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches perfect for casual gatherings and weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 7 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes to 7 hours 10 minutes (low) or 3 hours 10 minutes to 4 hours 10 minutes (high)
- Yield: 4-6 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds (900g) chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup (240ml) BBQ sauce (Sweet Baby Ray’s or Stubb’s recommended)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4–6 soft sandwich buns (brioche or potato rolls)
- Optional toppings: coleslaw, pickles, sliced jalapeños
Instructions
- Trim excess fat from chicken thighs or breasts and pat dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, combine BBQ sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
- Place chicken in the slow cooker and pour the BBQ sauce mixture evenly over the chicken, turning pieces to coat well.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours until chicken is tender enough to shred easily.
- Shred the chicken using two forks or tongs directly in the slow cooker and mix with the sauce. Add more BBQ sauce if desired.
- Lightly toast the sandwich buns to prevent sogginess.
- Assemble sandwiches by piling shredded chicken on the bottom half of each bun, adding optional toppings, and capping with the top bun.
- Serve immediately. Keep warm in the slow cooker’s ‘keep warm’ setting for up to an hour if needed.
Notes
If BBQ sauce thickens too much during cooking, add a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen it. Shred chicken while warm for best texture. Toast buns to prevent sogginess. For gluten-free, use gluten-free buns and check BBQ sauce labels. Can be cooked in a Dutch oven at 300°F for about 2 hours if no slow cooker is available.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 400450
- Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
Keywords: BBQ pulled chicken, slow cooker chicken, pulled chicken sandwiches, easy BBQ recipe, slow cooker recipes, chicken sandwiches