Description
This Crockpot BBQ Pulled Chicken recipe is a flavorful and easy slow-cooked dish perfect for gatherings or family dinners. The chicken thighs are seasoned with a blend of spices, slow-cooked until tender, and mixed with tangy BBQ and steak sauces. Served on hamburger buns, this meal is juicy, smoky, and effortlessly delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 3 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1/2 tsp salt, plus more to taste
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup grated yellow onion
Sauces
- 1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce (recommend Bullseye original), divided
- 2 Tbsp steak sauce (recommend A1)
Serving
- 8 hamburger buns
Instructions
- Transfer chicken to slow cooker. Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs in the slow cooker to prepare for seasoning and cooking.
- Mix and apply spices. In a small bowl, combine chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Sprinkle this spice mixture evenly over the chicken along with the grated yellow onion to infuse flavor.
- Add initial BBQ sauce. Pour 3/4 cup of the BBQ sauce over the seasoned chicken to start building the sauce base inside the slow cooker.
- Slow cook the chicken. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 4 to 6 hours, or until the chicken is tender enough to shred easily with a fork.
- Shred chicken and discard fat. Remove the chicken pieces from the slow cooker and shred them finely. Skim and discard any excess fat that has accumulated in the cooking liquid to keep the dish flavorful but not greasy.
- Combine shredded chicken with sauces. Return the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker. Add the remaining BBQ sauce and the steak sauce, then toss everything together well to coat the chicken thoroughly in the rich sauce mixture.
- Serve. Spoon the sauced pulled chicken onto hamburger buns and add any desired toppings such as coleslaw, pickles, or onions. Enjoy the juicy, smoky pulled chicken sandwiches warm.
Notes
- You can adjust the cayenne pepper amount to control the spiciness.
- For best flavor, use boneless, skinless chicken thighs as they stay moist during slow cooking.
- Serve with coleslaw or pickles for added texture and taste.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To reheat, microwave or warm on stovetop with a splash of water to maintain moisture.
