Crockpot Brown Sugar BBQ Chicken

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 4–6 hours (depending on setting) | Total Time: ~6 hours | Servings: 6

Why I Love This Recipe

It’s sweet, smoky, and melts in your mouth—and the slow cooker does all the work! I love this for casual Friday nights or weekend gatherings because you can prep it early and just shred and serve when it’s time to eat. It’s especially great on a potato bun with pickles and creamy slaw on top. Bonus: the leftovers are amazing.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 2.5–3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs

• 1 cup BBQ sauce (I like Kinder’s Hickory Brown Sugar)

• 1/3 cup brown sugar (I use just 1 tablespoon for a lighter version)

• 2–3 tablespoons bourbon

• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder

• Salt & pepper to taste

For Serving:

• 6 potato buns

• Dill Pickles

• Coleslaw

Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Chicken

• Add chicken breasts to the base of your slow cooker.

• In a small bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce, brown sugar, bourbon (if using), Italian dressing, garlic powder, and paprika.

• Pour mixture over the chicken and season everything with salt and pepper.

Step 2: Cook

• Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours, until chicken is cooked through and tender enough to shred.

Step 3: Shred and Serve

• Use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the sauce. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes so it soaks up all that goodness.

• Serve warm on toasted potato buns with extra BBQ sauce, dill pickles and a scoop of coleslaw.

Notes

• Dietary Quick Tip: The chicken and sauce are naturally dairy-free! To keep the whole meal gluten-free, use certified gluten-free BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and buns. Choose a dairy-free slaw or homemade vinegar-based slaw to round it out.

• Make it Healthier: Skip the bun and serve the BBQ chicken over a crisp mixed green salad for a low-carb option. Add a scoop of coleslaw on the side or right on top for extra crunch and flavor—no dressing needed, the BBQ sauce does the work!

• Coleslaw Tip: Want the perfect pairing? Check out my Homemade Coleslaw Recipe for a fresh, crunchy slaw that complements this BBQ chicken beautifully.

• Prefer it without bourbon? You can absolutely omit the bourbon—this dish is just as delicious without it.