Description
This Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken recipe features tender, juicy chicken cooked low and slow with a flavorful homemade barbecue sauce made from barbecue sauce, brown sugar, pineapple juice, and a blend of spices. It’s perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or meal prep and can be made with chicken breasts or thighs for customizable tenderness.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken
- 2-3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (about 4-5 breasts or 8-10 thighs)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 3/4 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (lightly packed)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon red chili flakes
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Place the chicken breasts or thighs into a 3- to 4-quart slow cooker. Season both sides liberally with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor.
- Make the sauce: In a medium bowl, combine ¾ cup barbecue sauce, ½ cup brown sugar, ½ cup unsweetened pineapple juice, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 2 finely minced garlic cloves, ½ teaspoon onion powder, and ⅛ teaspoon red chili flakes. Stir the mixture thoroughly until smooth and well incorporated.
- Cook the chicken: Pour the prepared barbecue sauce mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker. Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, or on high for 2 hours, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F as measured by a meat thermometer.
- Shred or serve chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks if desired, or leave the pieces whole for serving. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir well to coat the meat thoroughly in the flavorful sauce.
- Adjust and serve: Taste the chicken and sauce mixture, adjusting seasonings like salt, pepper, or chili flakes as preferred. Serve the BBQ chicken hot as a main dish, perfect for sandwiches, tacos, or plates alongside your favorite sides.
Notes
- This recipe is simple to prepare using basic pantry ingredients and your choice of chicken breasts or thighs depending on your preference for lean or slightly fattier meat.
- The pineapple juice adds a subtle sweetness and helps tenderize the chicken while cooking in the slow cooker.
- Feel free to customize the seasoning with additional spices or hot sauce for more heat.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 3-4 days and can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 186 grams
- Calories: 374 kcal
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 649 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 41 g
- Cholesterol: 121 mg
