Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Slow Cooker Zesty BBQ Chicken Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews
  • Author: Emily
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 7 hours
  • Total Time: 7 hours 5 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Category: Main-course
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

This Slow Cooker Zesty BBQ Chicken recipe features tender, shredded chicken breasts slow-cooked in a flavorful sauce made with BBQ sauce, Italian salad dressing, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Perfect for a crowd, it makes juicy, saucy pulled chicken that’s ideal for piling onto hamburger buns for hearty sandwiches. Simple to prepare and packed with zesty, sweet, and smoky flavors, it’s a classic comfort food recipe great for parties, potlucks, or easy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Chicken

  • 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (use 3 large or 4 small breasts)

Sauce

  • 1 bottle (18 oz) BBQ sauce (recommend: Sweet Baby Ray’s)
  • 1 cup Italian salad dressing (recommend: Olive Garden Italian dressing)
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

For Serving

  • Hamburger buns
  • Coleslaw (optional)

Optional for Heat

  • Zesty Italian dressing (replace standard)
  • Chili powder, to taste (optional)
  • Cayenne red pepper, to taste (optional)
  • Sliced jalapeños (for topping, optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Slow Cooker – Lightly coat the insert of your slow cooker with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Arrange the Chicken – Place the chicken breasts evenly on the bottom of the slow cooker insert.
  3. Mix the Sauce – In a small bowl, combine the BBQ sauce, Italian salad dressing, light brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir until the mixture is well blended.
  4. Add Sauce to Chicken – Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker, ensuring all the chicken is well-coated.
  5. Slow Cook – Cover with the lid and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours, until the chicken is tender and easy to shred.
  6. Shred the Chicken – Remove the cooked chicken breasts and use two forks to shred them thoroughly.
  7. Return and Marinate – Place the shredded chicken back into the sauce in the slow cooker. Stir to fully combine. For extra flavor, allow the chicken to marinate in the sauce for about 30 minutes on warm, or you can serve immediately if desired.
  8. Serve – Using a slotted spoon to drain excess sauce, serve the shredded BBQ chicken on top of hamburger buns. Add coleslaw and sliced jalapeños as toppings, if desired.

Notes

  • If chicken breasts are larger, use 3; if smaller, use 4.
  • Nutritional info provided is for the BBQ chicken only (not including the bun) and assumes 12 generous servings.
  • Recommended: Olive Garden Italian dressing and Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce for best results.
  • To make it spicy, use zesty Italian dressing, and add chili powder or cayenne to the sauce. Serve with sliced jalapeños as a topping.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/12 of BBQ chicken (without bun)
  • Calories: 189
  • Sugar: 13g
  • Sodium: 698mg
  • Fat: 3g
  • Saturated Fat: 1g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 23g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 17g
  • Cholesterol: 49mg

Find it online: https://emilyquickdinners.com/slow-cooker-zesty-bbq-chicken-recipe/