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Crock Pot Pulled Chicken is a flavorful and easy dish that is perfect for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings. Whether you prefer it on a bun, over rice, or in a salad, it's sure to leave you feeling full and satisfied. Plus, it requires minimal effort, making it great for those who want a delicious home-cooked meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
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Check out my Slow Cooker Chicken Stew and my Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce for more great Crock Pot recipes!
Crock Pot pulled chicken is a classic slow cooker recipe that is both flavorful and easy to make. This dish is made with boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are cooked low and slow.
One of the benefits of using a Crock Pot is that it allows the chicken to cook slowly and absorb all of the delicious flavors of the sauce, while also making it incredibly easy to prepare. It's is perfect for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings, as it can be prepped ahead of time and left to cook while you go about your day.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make. With just a few simple ingredients and a slow cooker, this recipe is incredibly easy to prepare.
- Flavorful. The combination of ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and spices creates a delicious and savory sauce that makes the chicken incredibly flavorful.
- Versatile. This dish can be used in a variety of ways, from sandwiches to salads to rice bowls. It's perfect for meal prepping, leftovers, or a quick and easy dinner.
- Family-friendly. This recipe is sure to be a hit with both kids and adults. It's a great way to get picky eaters to enjoy their chicken!
- Minimal cleanup. Using a Crock Pot means you'll have fewer dishes to wash, making cleanup a breeze.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Ketchup: Provides a sweet and tangy base for the sauce.
- Yellow Onion: Adds flavor and texture to the sauce.
- Reduced Sodium Soy Sauce: Helps to reduce the overall sodium content of the dish while still providing a savory flavor.
- Brown Sugar: Helps to balance the sweetness of the ketchup.
- Garlic: Adds a savory flavor to the sauce.
- Dried Oregano: Provides a slightly earthy and herbaceous flavor to the sauce.
- Paprika: Adds a slightly smoky and sweet flavor to the sauce.
- Salt: Helps to bring out the other flavors in the sauce.
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast: Cooks slowly in the sauce to become tender and flavorful, making it the perfect base for pulled chicken.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1:
In a mixing bowl, whisk together ketchup, diced onion, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, dried oregano, paprika, and salt until well combined.
Step 2:
Place the chicken breasts into a Crock Pot and pour the ketchup mixture over the chicken.
Step 3:
Cover the Crock Pot and cook on low heat for 6-7 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
Step 4:
Once the chicken is fully cooked, use a fork or tongs to shred the chicken into small pieces right in the Crock Pot.
Step 5:
Mix the shredded chicken with the remaining sauce and let it cook for an additional 10-15 minutes.
NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!
Expert Tips
- Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Using boneless, skinless chicken breasts help the meat will cook evenly and quickly. You can use chicken thighs if you prefer, but they may take longer to cook.
- Don't overcook the chicken. Be sure to cook the chicken until it's tender and fully cooked, but avoid overcooking it, as this can result in dry and tough meat.
- Shred the chicken while it's still warm. Shredding the chicken while it's still warm makes the process much easier and ensures that the meat stays tender and juicy.
- Serve with your favorite toppings. Crock Pot pulled chicken is delicious on its own, but you can also serve it with your favorite toppings, such as shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, or sliced avocado.
Variations
- Spicy Pulled Chicken: Add some red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the recipe for a spicy kick.
- Mexican-Inspired Pulled Chicken: Add a can of diced green chilies, chili powder, and cumin to the recipe for a Mexican-inspired pulled chicken.
- Buffalo Pulled Chicken: Add buffalo sauce to the recipe for a spicy and tangy buffalo pulled chicken.
- Honey Mustard Pulled Chicken: Use honey mustard instead of ketchup and add honey and mustard to the recipe for a sweet and tangy pulled chicken.
- Italian-Inspired Pulled Chicken: Add canned tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes to the recipe for an Italian-inspired pulled chicken.
- Asian-Inspired Pulled Chicken: Use hoisin sauce instead of ketchup and add ginger and green onions to the recipe for an Asian-inspired pulled chicken.
Storing & Freezing
Storing: Once the pulled chicken has cooled, transfer it to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing: Allow the pulled chicken to cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight freezer-safe container or a freezer bag. Store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheating: To reheat the pulled chicken from the refrigerator, simply heat it up in the microwave or on the stovetop until it's heated through. To reheat from frozen, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat as directed.
Recipe FAQ's
Yes, you can make pulled chicken on the stovetop or in the oven. For stovetop method, simmer the chicken in the sauce over low heat for 30-40 minutes or until tender. For oven method, place the chicken and sauce in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake at 375 degrees F for 45-50 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
The chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. You can use a meat thermometer to check the temperature.
Yes, you can add vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or potatoes to the recipe for added flavor and nutrition. Just add them to the crock pot with the chicken and sauce.
Other Slow Cooker Recipes You'll Love
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Crock Pot Pulled Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 cup ketchup
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 3 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together ketchup, diced onion, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, dried oregano, paprika, and salt until well combined.
- Place the chicken breasts into a Crock Pot and pour the ketchup mixture over the chicken.
- Cover the Crock Pot and cook on low heat for 6-7 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Once the chicken is fully cooked, use a fork or tongs to shred the chicken into small pieces right in the Crock Pot.
- Mix the shredded chicken with the remaining sauce and let it cook for an additional 10-15 minutes.
Notes
- Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Using boneless, skinless chicken breasts help the meat will cook evenly and quickly. You can use chicken thighs if you prefer, but they may take longer to cook.
- Don't overcook the chicken. Be sure to cook the chicken until it's tender and fully cooked, but avoid overcooking it, as this can result in dry and tough meat.
- Shred the chicken while it's still warm. Shredding the chicken while it's still warm makes the process much easier and ensures that the meat stays tender and juicy.
- Serve with your favorite toppings. Crock Pot pulled chicken is delicious on its own, but you can also serve it with your favorite toppings, such as shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, or sliced avocado.
- Storing: Once the pulled chicken has cooled, transfer it to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Allow the pulled chicken to cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight freezer-safe container or a freezer bag. Store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: To reheat the pulled chicken from the refrigerator, simply heat it up in the microwave or on the stovetop until it's heated through. To reheat from frozen, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat as directed.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Colleen | Bakes & Blunders
Crockpot recipes are the BEST! My family is going to love this 🙂
Morgan
This looks delicious! I love making pulled chicken in the slow cooker so I will definitely give your recipe a try!
angela
This looks great and for summer especially when you don't want to turn on the stove or oven.
Angela Greven | Mean Green Chef
So nice to make a meal without the added heat of the oven during these hot summer months, this looks delicious and I always adore how you create such flavorful low-fat recipes! 😍
Kim
I love a good slow cooker recipe! This one is perfect
Traci
I never realized how easy it is to make pulled chicken in the crockpot. Perfect for serving a large crowd. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Toni
I really loved it! Such an amazing comfort food!
Elizabeth
My kids absolutely LOVE this recipe! You're a life saver with this - popping it in the slow cooker means dinner is ready at the end of a super busy day. Thank you!
Pamela
Going to grab some sandwich rolls at the store to make this chicken! Looks amazing!
Heidy
Great recipe for chicken. The entire family enjoyed it. I saved it so I won't misplace it.