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Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken - this is our family's favorite BBQ chicken! Its tender, tangy, sweet, smoky and the homemade barbecue sauce is out of this world! I love making this for busy days or large gatherings!
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Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

Crockpot BBQ Chicken is wonderfully tender, tangy, sweet and smoky smothered in the most amazing homemade BBQ sauce! Crockpot BBQ  Chicken is the perfect busy weekday meal or ideal for large gatherings and makes the best Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sandwiches!  It's another recipe for your back pocket when you need an easy, stress free, make ahead dinner that tastes like you have slaved away for hours!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings 4 -6 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • nonstick cooking spray

BBQ Sauce

  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1/4 - 1/3 cup brown sugar , packed (use 1/3 cup for sweeter)
  • 2 tablespoons seedless blackberry preserves
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons liquid smoke
  • 1 tsp EACH smoked paprika, chili pwdr, onion pwdr, garlic pwdr, salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon chipotle chili powder or cayenne pepper (optional for a kick)

Instructions

  • Lightly spray slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray then add chicken.
  • Whisk together all of the Barbecue Sauce ingredients and pour over chicken. Toss to coat.
  • Cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or on LOW for 6-8 hours.
  • When chicken is tender enough to shred, remove to a cutting board.
  • Dissolve 1 tablespoon cornstarch in 2 tablespoons water then add to barbecue sauce in slow cooker. Turn slow cooker to HIGH (if it was on low).
  • Shred chicken and add back to slow cooker. Cook for 20-30 minutes for chicken to absorb sauce and for sauce to thicken
  • Taste and add (one tablespoon at a time) additional brown sugar for sweeter, cider vinegar for tangier or chipotle/cayenne for spicier.
  • Serve barbecue chicken alone or in sandwiches, tacos, salads etc.