Description
This Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken recipe delivers tender, flavorful chicken breasts simmered low and slow in a tangy homemade barbecue sauce infused with Coca-Cola, apple cider vinegar, and a hint of bourbon. Perfect for easy meal prep and ideal for serving at gatherings or weeknight dinners, this dish yields juicy shredded chicken with a perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and savory flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 3 large chicken breasts (about 2½ to 3 pounds)
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 2 Tbsp paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
Barbecue Sauce
- 1 cup Coca-Cola
- â…” cup ketchup
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tbsp bourbon or whiskey (optional)
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts into a 6-quart slow cooker. Evenly sprinkle the salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder over the chicken to season thoroughly.
- Mix the BBQ Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Coca-Cola, lemon juice, light brown sugar, and bourbon or whiskey if using. Pour this homemade barbecue sauce over the seasoned chicken in the slow cooker.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook the chicken on LOW heat for 6 to 8 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the chicken to become tender enough to shred easily.
- Shred and Combine: Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks. Then, return the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker and stir well to coat the meat evenly with the sauce before serving.
Notes
- For a spicier flavor, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix.
- If bourbon or whiskey is not preferred, it can be omitted without compromising flavor.
- Leftover BBQ chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- This BBQ chicken is great served on buns for sandwiches, over rice, or alongside vegetables.
- Using a slow cooker ensures the chicken remains moist and tender.
