Barbecue Chicken in Crock Pot

With just a few simple ingredients, you can have tender, juicy barbecue chicken in crock pot that's cooked to perfection!

So grab your forks and get ready - because this recipe is one you'll be making over and over again not only during the hot summer months, but all year long!

Looking for more family-friendly crock pot recipes? Check out our other delicious and easy options to keep everyone happy!

No more standing over the grill in the hot summer sun or making your house even hotter on a scorching summer day by baking chicken in the oven!

With this recipe, you'll get tender, juicy chicken with the barbecue flavor we all love!

Check out the recipe notes and variations following the step-by-step photos for any possible substitutions or tips on making the recipe your own.

This recipe was inspired by my Bacon Wrapped Crock Pot Chicken...only slightly different as we're using a bottle of soda to help flavor and tenderize the chicken.

Looking for more Chicken Recipes? Try my Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Sandwiches, and my Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wrapped in Bacon. Yum!

Table of Contents

Why my Family LOVES BBQ Chicken in the Slow Cooker
Helpful Kitchen Tools
Main Ingredients Needed
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
Step-by-Step Instructions
Slow Cooking Instructions
Kitchen Tool Spotlight
LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
Recipe Tips that Worked for Me when Making Chicken in a Slow Cooker
Storage, Freezing and Reheating Tips
Recipe FAQ
More Slow Cooker Recipes to Love
Love FAST Chicken Recipes for Dinner?
📖 Recipe Card
💬 Comments

Why my Family LOVES BBQ Chicken in the Slow Cooker

Cooking chicken in a crockpot is an excellent way to create tender and juicy chicken that is full of flavor.
The best cuts for crockpot cooking are boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. Chicken breasts usually take around four hours on high, while chicken thighs can take anywhere from six to eight hours on high.
There are many different ways to season and prepare chicken before adding it to the crockpot. For this recipe, we're using soda...Coke and barbecue sauce.
The acid and sugar in the soda will help break down the proteins in the chicken resulting in a tender, juicy chicken. It will also add tons of flavor to the chicken.

Helpful Kitchen Tools

Crock-Pot 6 Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker with Digital Timer Digital Meat Thermometer for Cooking Kitchen Food Candy Instant Read Thermometer Pastry Brush, Heat Resistant Silicone Basting Brush for Kitchen Cooking BBQ Grill Barbecue Baking

Main Ingredients Needed

Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!

Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Try this recipe with chicken thighs, too!
Barbecue Sauce - Use your favorite bottled sauce or try my Homemade Barbecue Sauce Recipe.
Diet Soda - you need to use full sugar soda for this recipe.
Check out how to make shredded chicken for recipes in the slow cooker.
Or you might enjoy this recipe for Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Step-by-Step Instructions

This section provides step-by-step photos and instructions to guide you through the recipe. For the complete printable version, scroll down to the recipe card below.

Step 1: Add the chicken breasts to the slow cooker. Season the chicken with garlic powder, minced onion, salt, and black pepper.

Step 2: Pour the Coca Cola around the chicken. Add the barbecue sauce on top of the chicken.

Slow Cooking Instructions

Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Remove the chicken to a serving platter and brush with the remaining barbecue sauce. Serve chicken whole or shredded on buns.

Kitchen Tool Spotlight

For shredded chicken, remove the chicken breasts and drain the slow cooker of the excess liquid. Shred the chicken with forks or shredding claws, and toss with the remaining barbecue sauce.

1Easylife Metal Meat Shredder Claws, 18/8 Stainless Steel Meat Forks with Wooden Handle for Shredding, Pulling, Handing, Lifting & Serving Pork, Turkey, Chicken, Brisket

HIGH QUALITY STAINLESS STEEL BBQ CLAW: Compare with some plastic or Nylon claws which may melted or bent and create food safety issues, our durable claws are made of solid 18/8 304 stainless steel, never melt or bent and take heat resistance 1112 / 600 degrees.

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Recipe Tips that Worked for Me when Making Chicken in a Slow Cooker

Use Full-Sugar Soda: It's important to use regular, full-sugar soda, as the sugar content helps break down the proteins in the chicken, resulting in a tender, juicy texture. Diet sodas lack this sugar content and won't provide the same effect.

Monitor Cooking Time: Overcooking can lead to dry chicken. For boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cook on high for about 4 hours. If using thighs, they can take 6 to 8 hours on high. Always ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F for safety.

Shred and Recoat: After cooking, remove the chicken, shred it using two forks, and then return it to the crockpot to soak up the flavorful juices. This step ensures every bite is moist and infused with barbecue goodness.

Serving Tips: Mashed Potato Casserole or any of these bbq side dishes that pair perfectly with barbecue! Add the shredded barbecue chicken to sandwich buns for a delicious meal with Air Fryer Potatoes or Sweet Potato Fries made in the air fryer.

Storage, Freezing and Reheating Tips

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container and use within 3-4 days.

Freezer: Add leftovers to a freezer zip top bag or airtight container.

Thawing and Reheating: Defrost in the refrigerator then reheat in the microwave when ready to enjoy. Reheat in the microwave for 1 minute or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Recipe FAQ

To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!

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Is it better to cook chicken on high or low in the slow cooker?

Cook boneless chicken breasts on low so it doesn't dry out.

How do I know when my chicken is done in a slow cooker?

The best way to check is with a meat thermometer. It should read 165°F in the thickest part of the chicken.

More Slow Cooker Recipes to Love

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📖 Recipe Card

Barbecue Chicken served on a white platter with Coca Cola and a slow cooker in the background

Lois