Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken | Easy & Flavor-Packed Weeknight Favorite Recipe
Introduction
This Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken is an easy, flavor-packed dish perfect for busy weeknights. With minimal prep and a slow cooker doing the work, you’ll have tender, shredded BBQ chicken ready to enjoy in just a few hours.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 bottle Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: Season chicken breasts evenly with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Step 2: In a bowl, combine BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and olive oil, mixing well.
- Step 3: Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the crockpot in a single layer.
- Step 4: Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.
- Step 5: Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is tender.
- Step 6: Using two forks, shred the chicken directly in the crockpot.
- Step 7: Stir the shredded chicken gently back into the sauce and serve hot.
Tips & Variations
- Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a richer, more flavorful dish.
- Add diced onions or jalapeños into the crockpot for extra texture and a little heat.
- Serve the shredded chicken on buns, over rice, or alongside coleslaw for a complete meal.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken breasts in this recipe?
It’s best to use thawed chicken breasts to ensure even cooking and proper shredding. Using frozen chicken may increase cooking time and affect texture.
Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot instead of a crockpot?
Yes, you can use the Instant Pot’s slow cooker function or adjust to the pressure cooking setting for faster results. For pressure cooking, cook on high pressure for about 15 minutes and then shred the chicken.
PrintSweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken | Easy & Flavor-Packed Weeknight Favorite Recipe
Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken is a simple, flavorful, and tender shredded chicken recipe perfect for easy weeknight meals. Combining classic BBQ sauce with brown sugar and apple cider vinegar, this slow-cooked dish delivers a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors. Ideal for serving on buns, over rice, or with a crisp side like coleslaw.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours on low or 2-3 hours on high
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes to 6 hours 10 minutes (low) or 2 hours 10 minutes to 3 hours 10 minutes (high)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Sauce
- 1 bottle Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce (about 18 ounces)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with garlic powder, salt, and pepper to enhance the flavor before cooking.
- Prepare the sauce: In a bowl, thoroughly mix together the Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and olive oil until well combined.
- Place chicken in crockpot: Lay the seasoned chicken breasts in a single layer at the bottom of the crockpot to ensure even cooking.
- Pour sauce over chicken: Pour the prepared BBQ sauce mixture evenly over the chicken, making sure all pieces are well coated.
- Cook the chicken: Cover and cook the chicken on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Shred the chicken: Using two forks, shred the cooked chicken breasts directly in the crockpot for easy mixing.
- Combine and serve: Stir the shredded chicken back into the sauce, mixing thoroughly, and serve immediately with your choice of buns, rice, or coleslaw.
Notes
- For a richer flavor and more tenderness, substitute chicken thighs for breasts.
- Enhance texture and flavor by adding diced onions or jalapeños to the crockpot before cooking.
- This shredded chicken is perfect for serving on sandwich buns, over steamed rice, or alongside coleslaw for a complete meal.
Keywords: Crockpot chicken, Slow cooker BBQ chicken, Sweet Baby Ray’s chicken, Shredded BBQ chicken, Easy weeknight dinner
