This Crockpot BBQ Chicken is an easy family dinner made with boneless chicken breasts, barbecue sauce, soda, and a few simple seasonings. The chicken cooks until tender and juicy, with plenty of sweet and smoky flavor.
It’s another one of my simple family-friendly crock pot recipes for busy weeknights, summer dinners, or any time of year.
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Walking on Sunshine Recipes.
Table of Contents
- Recipe at a Glance
- Main Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- How Long to Cook BBQ Chicken in Crock Pot
- How to Serve Crock Pot BBQ Chicken
- Insider Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
- Storing & Serving Tips
- Recipe FAQ
- Need More Ideas for Side Dishes?
- LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
- 🗒️Shopping List
- 📖 Recipe Card
- Love FAST Chicken Recipes for Dinner?
- 💬 Comments
Recipe at a Glance
Prep: 5 min | Slow Cook: 6 hrs | Difficulty: Easy | Servings: 4–6
Main Ingredients: chicken breasts, Coca-Cola, barbecue sauce
Why You’ll Love It: The slow cooker keeps the chicken tender while the simple sauce adds sweet and smoky flavor.
Best For: Weeknight dinners, sandwiches, or an easy meal for the family.
Equipment Needed: Slow Cooker
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!
Substitutions and Variations
Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used instead of chicken breasts. They may need a little more cooking time, so check that they reach 165°F before serving.
Barbecue Sauce: Use your favorite bottled barbecue sauce, or make the recipe with my Homemade Barbecue Sauce.
Soda: Regular, full-sugar Coca-Cola works best in this recipe. Diet soda will not give the sauce the same sweetness or consistency.
Shredded Chicken: Shred the cooked chicken directly in the slow cooker and stir it into the sauce for sandwiches, sliders, or baked potatoes.
Step-by-Step Instructions
This section includes 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. Pour the Coca Cola around the chicken. Add the barbecue sauce on top of the chicken.
How Long to Cook BBQ Chicken in Crock Pot
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.
How to Serve Crock Pot BBQ Chicken
Step 4: After cooking, remove the chicken, shred it using two forks, meat shredder claws or this new chicken shredder tool. Then return it to the crockpot to soak up the flavorful juices. Prefer using a pressure cooker? Try my Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Sandwiches, which are ready much faster and made specifically for serving on soft rolls.
Insider Tips from My Kitchen to Yours
✔️ DO use regular Coca-Cola rather than diet soda so the sauce has the intended sweetness and consistency, and check that the chicken reaches 165°F before serving.
❌ DO NOT overcook the chicken breasts; begin checking them near the end of the recipe’s cooking time, since leaving them in too long can make them dry.
Storing & Serving 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.
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.
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!
Cook boneless chicken breasts on low so it doesn't dry out.
The best way to check is with a meat thermometer. It should read 165°F in the thickest part of the chicken.
Need More Ideas for Side Dishes?
LOVE this recipe? SAVE it for Later!
❤️Tap the heart icon in the lower right corner to add the recipe to your recipe box for easy access anytime.
If you made it, leaving a star rating or quick review is always appreciated and helps other readers too.
Want to save this printed recipe? The Ultimate Meal Planner & Recipe Binder helps you keep recipes organized in one easy place.
🗒️Shopping List
Click the button below to instantly create a shopping list for this recipe.
📖 Recipe Card
Crockpot BBQ Chicken
Ingredients
- 4-6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
- 1 ½ cups regular Coca Cola soda
- 1 ½ cups barbecue sauce
Method
- Spray the inside of the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
- Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Combine the garlic powder, dried minced onion, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the chicken.
- Pour the soda around the chicken.
- Spread 1 cup of barbecue sauce over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4–6 hours, or until the chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and place it on a serving platter.
- Brush the chicken with the remaining ½ cup barbecue sauce.
- Serve the chicken breasts whole, or shred the chicken and serve it on hamburger buns.
Nutrition
Notes
Tips
- Use regular full-sugar soda for the intended sweetness and sauce consistency.
- Choose chicken breasts that are similar in size so they cook at the same rate.
- Begin checking the chicken near the 4-hour mark to avoid overcooking.
Storage & Make Ahead
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat gently with a little extra barbecue sauce to keep the chicken moist.
- The chicken can be cooked a day ahead and reheated whole or shredded before serving.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!
Love FAST Chicken Recipes for Dinner?
Try my "30 Minute Chicken Recipes" Digital Cookbook!
Stop stressing about what to make for dinner and start enjoying delicious and healthy meals that you can whip up in no time with this must-have digital cookbook!
Click HERE for the Instant download!!!
Verna A Brisbon lucey says
this has been my go-to for years I use chicken thighs I find them easier to shred.
Lois says
Thank you for the great review!
Esmé Slabbert says
Oh wow, this does look and sound awesome.
I visited you via May Flowers and Celebrations at All About Home #196
If not already part of SSPS, and are interested, find my entries: 99+100
You will find the linkup information (1) In the Top bar under Blogging: Weekly Senior Salon Pit Stop (2) In the sidebar: Click on 2nd image; (3) under the “Recent Posts
We hope to meet you there virtually.