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–+ servings
close up view shredded barbecue chicken breast.
Print Recipe

Classic Shredded Barbecue Chicken

Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time4 hours
Total Time4 hours 10 minutes
Course: Main Course
Keyword: Fall
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 236kcal
Author: Katie

Equipment

  • Slow cooker

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts cut in halves
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce plus extra for serving
  • ¼ cup Italian dressing
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper and place them in the crockpot. Add the barbecue sauce, Italian dressing, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.
    crockpot with chicken breast and ingredients before and after mixing.
  • Cook. Pour the sauce over the chicken in the crockpot, making sure the chicken is well-coated. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours. A practical test for doneness is shred a piece of chicken with two forks. If it shreds easily it's done! Don't overcook!
  • Shred the Chicken. Once the chicken is cooked through and tender, take each breast out and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot and stir into the sauce.
    shredded chicken in slow cooker.
  • Serve. Serve the shredded barbecue chicken on buns, over rice, or with a side of coleslaw. Use extra barbecue sauce as desired.
    sandwich with pulled bbq chicken and bbq sauce on top.

Notes

For a smokier flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of liquid smoke to the sauce.
The chicken can be kept warm in the crockpot after shredding for serving at parties or gatherings.
Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and can be reheated in a pot over medium heat or in the microwave.

Nutrition

Calories: 236kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 602mg | Potassium: 535mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 118IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg