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5.0 from 54 votes

Smoky BBQ Pulled Chicken

This slow cooker recipe results in superbly tender, juicy, and succulent pulled chicken with just the right amount of smoky flavor.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
3 hrs
Servings: 10
Calories: 246 kcal
Course: Main Course , Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup olive oil extra virgin
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tsp oregano
  • 1 ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 6 TB brown sugar tightly packed
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 2 TB Worcestershire sauce 
  • 2 cups honey barbecue sauce* plus more as needed
  • 1 ½ TB liquid smoke
  • 4 lbs chicken thighs skinless/boneless
Optional Serving Suggestions
  • Buns or sandwich rolls, pickles, or coleslaw

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Combine all ingredients except chicken in a bowl. Mix sauce ingredients well. Sauce can be made well ahead of time and kept in fridge until ready to use.
  2. Thoroughly dry chicken pieces with paper towels. Combine chicken with sauce and place in slow cooker. Cook 2 1/2 to 3 hours on High, or 5 1/2 to 6 hours on Low.
  3. Carefully remove chicken from slow cooker with tongs. Keep slow cooker lid on and keep sauce warm. Gently pull chicken apart with forks, but not too finely.
  4. Return shredded chicken into slow cooker. Toss well to make sure chicken is fully coated in sauce. Add more BBQ sauce if needed. Cook another 30-45 minutes on High. Keep warm until ready to serve.
  5. Toast buns or sandwich rolls and serve with pickles or coleslaw, if desired.

Notes

  • Tips for Meal Prep: 
  • We highly recommend using chicken thighs, as they produce much more tender results than chicken breasts would. If you'd really like to use chicken breasts, we suggest using 50/50 along with chicken thighs.
  • We like Sweet Baby Ray's honey barbecue sauce for this recipe, but feel free to use your favorite brand. 
  • Entire slow cooker can be prepared the night before and kept in the fridge until ready to cook. Keep in mind that if you're starting with a cold slow cooker and cold ingredients, you'll need to increase cook time a bit.  Leftovers can be stored in fridge for up to several days, or frozen for up to a month. 
  • Entire slow cooker can be prepared the night before and kept in the fridge until ready to cook. Keep in mind that if you're starting with a cold slow cooker and cold ingredients, you'll need to increase cook time a bit. 
  • Leftovers can be stored in fridge for up to several days, or frozen for up to a month. 

Nutrition Information

Calories 246kcal (12%) Carbohydrates 30.2g (10%) Protein 12.5g (25%) Fat 8.3g (13%) Saturated Fat 1.5g (8%) Cholesterol 56mg (19%) Sodium 880.9mg (37%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 24.3g (49%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 10Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 246

% Daily Value*

Calories 246kcal 12%
Carbohydrates 30.2g 10%
Protein 12.5g 25%
Fat 8.3g 13%
Saturated Fat 1.5g 8%
Cholesterol 56mg 19%
Sodium 880.9mg 37%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 24.3g 49%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.