• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to header navigation
  • Skip to footer top navigation
  • Skip to footer bottom navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Skinny & Fit is Always Delicious
Display Search Bar
Follow me on Facebook! Follow me on Pinterest! Follow me on Instagram! Follow me on YouTube! Contact Cart

Skinny Fitalicious®

Because skinny & fit always tastes delicious

  • Weight Loss Coaching
    • Weight Loss Coaching / Free Consult
    • Client Testimonials
  • Free Class
  • Podcast
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Index
    • Hormone Weight Loss 7-Day Meal Plans
    • Protein, Fiber, Calorie Calculator
    • Free Resources for Fat Loss
    • Megan Recommends
  • Podcast
  • Cookbook
  • About
    • About Megan
    • Policies
    • Contact

BONUS!

3 Smart Strategies To Stop Cravings So You Can Lose Weight!

Home » Recipes » Dinner

Shredded BBQ Chicken Crock Pot

Published: Jun 3, 2024 · Modified: Jun 24, 2024 by Megan

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon associate I earn qualifying purchases. Click here for more about this policy.

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

This Healthy Shredded BBQ Chicken Crock Pot recipe is perfect for meal prep to use for make-ahead lunch and dinner. Protein-packed and made low in sugar with only 3 ingredients. This BBQ pulled chicken makes a healthy meal and the crockpot does all the work!

A shredded bbq chicken crock pot sandwich on the table with coleslaw and a spoon dripping bbq sauce on the side.
Jump to:
  • Why You Will Love This Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Variations
  • How to Make Crock Pot Shredded Chicken
  • Expert Tips
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Recipe FAQs
  • More Best BBQ Recipes
  • Healthy BBQ Pulled Chicken Crock Pot

Let's talk some BBQ! This healthy BBQ chicken recipe is so easy! It's one of my go to healthy recipes for summer gatherings! Even a fifth grader could do it. Just toss everything in the pot and sit back while it does its magic, or in my case, run around like a crazy person getting all your work done.

For me, no matter what's going on in my life eating healthy is a priority. When life is crazy, you need to get a little creative to get it done. It's not a matter of willpower. It's a matter of planning, juggling, and being creative.

When I made this last week, I died and went to heaven devouring mine on a gluten free bun. I served roasted broccoli and baked french fries on the side. It was a comforting meal and I'm sure I'll be eating again and again all summer long.

While I love it in the slow cooker you can also make Instant Pot BBQ Chicken if you need it ready much quicker!

Why You Will Love This Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Recipe

  • Low-Effort Cooking: The crockpot does all the work for you. It's like cooking magic. I really don't know what I'd do without my crockpot. It saves me so much time from having to cook meals and turn out even more delicious.
  • Juicy Tender Chicken: Slow cooking the chicken on low over multiple hours gives it a real infused BBQ taste. So good! In the end, the chicken is so juicy and tender, that it shreds easily with a spoon.
  • Low Carb: Use my low-sugar BBQ sauce to make BBQ shredded chicken that's lower in carbohydrates.

Ingredients

All you need are three simple ingredients to make BBQ chicken in a Crock Pot. Here's a look at what you need:

Ingredients to make bbq shredded chicken in the crockpot on the table before preparing.
  • Chicken breasts: Use skinless and boneless for less fat and also to make the prep much easier.
  • BBQ sauce: Use my low-sugar BBQ sauce made with a few simple pantry staples. You can also use store-bought BBQ sauce if you prefer.

Variations

  • Spicy: If you like your BBQ sauce with a bit of heat feel free to add some cayenne pepper, chipotle chili powder, or red pepper flakes to the sauce.
  • Chicken Thighs: You can swap the breasts for chicken thighs. They make a more budget-friendly option at times. Just make sure you use boneless and skinless and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
  • Buffalo Chicken: Swap the BBQ sauce for buffalo sauce instead.
  • No Sauce: If you want to make shredded chicken without any sauce I recommend this Instant Pot Shredded Chicken recipe instead.

How to Make Crock Pot Shredded Chicken

Step 1: Cook the chicken breasts. Place all the ingredients in your Crock Pot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or 3-4 hours on high.

Chicken breasts and barbecue sauce in a slow cooker.

Step 2: Shred the chicken. Use two forks to shred the chicken in the slow cooker.

BBQ shredded chicken in the crockpot with two forks.

Expert Tips

  • Storing: Transfer the pulled BBQ chicken to an airtight container. Once it's fully cooled store in the fridge for up to four days or in the freezer for up to three months. Reheat in a skillet on the stove or in the microwave. You may want to add a bit of liquid if cooking on the stove to help it reheat.
  • Shredding the Chicken: It's best to do this step while the chicken is still warm as the chicken shreds more easily.
  • Cook on Low Heat: Slow cooking is best so it's preferable to cook the chicken for longer on low heat.

Serving Suggestions

Serve up your Crock Pot BBQ pulled chicken on a gluten-free bun or your favorite roll or bread! It also works in a wrap or served up in lettuce leaves for the ultimate low-carb comfort food.

Add some toppings if you want! Chopped onion, pickles, jalapeno slices, and low-calorie coleslaw are just a few ideas.

Round out your meal with some air fryer sweet potato fries or zucchini parmesan fries. Then pile on some veggies like

In the summer it's great with some cold sides like this Greek yogurt broccoli salad or the healthiest potato salad.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make a double batch?

Sure thing! That's an excellent idea for meal prep to make life easy or if you're serving a crowd. Just make sure you don't overload your slow cooker too much or the chicken may require more time to cook. It's ok to stack the chicken in two layers but I do recommend moving the chicken halfway through cooking to make sure the breasts all cook evenly.

Can you overcook chicken in a Crock Pot?

Yes, you can. While it is less likely to happen if you keep an eye on it, it can happen. The chicken cooks in liquid to help keep it moist but if it dries out this could lead to dry chicken. Cooking times may vary by slow cooker and also the size and thickness of your chicken breasts. I generally recommend checking it about two-thirds through the cooking time. For best results, use a thermometer to check the temperature of your chicken is 165°F.

A healthy bbq chicken sandwich on th table with a wooden skewer in it.

More Best BBQ Recipes

  • Low Sugar BBQ Salmon made on a sheet pan in less than 20 minutes. Low sugar BBQ sauce, thyme & green beans compliment the meal perfect. A hearty, yet healthy meal with simple good for you ingredients. Gluten Free + Low Calorie
    Low Sugar BBQ Salmon & Green Beans {GF, Low Cal}
  • Healthy Crockpot BBQ Wings! All the spicy flavor you love in chicken wings packed in a healthy, low sugar BBQ sauce. The perfect game day appetizer, party favor, or dinner for healthy eaters! Gluten Free + Paleo + Low Calorie
    Healthy Crockpot BBQ Wings
  • A BBQ chicken bowl on the table with a fork in the bowl and it's topped with chicken, black beans, bell pepper, and zucchini.
    BBQ Chicken Bowl
  • Healthy Crockpot Pulled Pork is a low calorie, low carb recipe. Perfect for easy meals and meal prep. Serve over a salad, in lettuce wraps, in grain free buns, over cauliflower rice or brown rice. A simple, slow cooker meal that takes little effort and tastes delicious!
    Healthy Crockpot Pulled Pork

If you tried this BBQ pulled chicken recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below.

Shredded BBQ chicken crockpot served on a bun with a jar of bbq sauce in the background.

Healthy BBQ Pulled Chicken Crock Pot

Megan Olson
This Healthy BBQ Chicken Breast in a Crockpot recipe is perfect for meal prep for make ahead lunch and dinner. Protein packed & made low in sugar with only 3 ingredients.
5 from 4 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 6 hours hrs
Total Time 6 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 164 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 ¼ lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • ¼ cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup low sugar BBQ sauce

Instructions
 

  • Place all ingredients in a crockpot.
  • Cook on low 6-8 hours or 3-4 hours on high.
  • Break apart the meat with a wooden spoon or two forks to shred in the crockpot.
  • Serve immediately over a gluten free bun or on a salad. Instant Pot version is here.

Video

Notes

  • Each serving is ~ 1 cup.
  • Storing: Transfer the pulled BBQ chicken to an airtight container. Once it's fully cooled store in the fridge for up to four days or in the freezer for up to three months. Reheat in a skillet on the stove or in the microwave. You may want to add a bit of liquid if cooking on the stove to help it reheat.
  • Shredding the Chicken: It's best to do this step while the chicken is still warm as the chicken shreds more easily.
  • Cook on Low Heat: Slow cooking is best so it's preferable to cook the chicken for longer on low heat.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 164kcalCarbohydrates: 0.2gProtein: 30gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 91mgSodium: 169mgPotassium: 537mgSugar: 0.02gVitamin A: 43IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Let me know!Let us know how it was!

About Megan

Megan is a certified nutrition practitioner, author, freelance food photographer and fitness instructor living in Phoenix, Arizona. On her blog, Skinny Fitalicious she shares EASY, gluten free recipes for weight loss. Follow Megan on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates.

< Previous Post
Next Post >
5350 shares
  • Share469
  • Tweet

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment
    5 from 4 votes (3 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Recipe Rating




  1. Sarah K. says

    January 27, 2025 at 12:27 pm

    Delicious, healthy and easy! Can't go wrong with this recipe! Thanks!

    Reply
  2. Monika says

    July 17, 2024 at 3:58 am

    Can you do this without a crock pot or instant pot? Just in a cast iron pot in the oven?

    Reply
    • Megan says

      July 19, 2024 at 10:29 am

      Yes, you could bake chicken in the oven then shredded it. I personally have done that and can say 100% it's much better in a slow cooker or instant pot because there's more moisture and tenderness in the meat cooked that way. So yes, you can do that but results will be different.

      Reply
« Older Comments

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

Megan is a nutritionist, author of the Low Calorie Cookbook and podcast host of the Dish On Ditching Diets. Megan helps women over 35 stop dieting, heal their relationship with food and lose weight sustainably. Megan lost 80 pounds herself. Here you get healthy, lower calorie recipes!

More on my weight loss coaching here

Popular

  • Healthy High Protein Burrito
  • A hand dipping a cracker into a healthier buffalo chicken dip with cottage cheese.
    Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip
  • Healthy Greek Yogurt BagelsHealthy Greek yogurt bagels made gluten free and low calorie with just 5 ingredients. A high protein bagel made from scratch that's easy, better for you and so delicious!
    Healthy Greek Yogurt Bagels
  • Low calorie healthy banana oat muffin on a platter with more.
    Low Calorie Banana Oat Muffins

Healthy Memorial Day Recipes

  • This Low Calorie Pasta Salad is loaded with vegetables and chickpea pasta. Made light with healthy ingredients this tasty, gluten free and dairy free pasta salad recipe is one you will make time and again. Perfect for summer eating as a side dish or appetizer!
    Low Calorie Pasta Salad
  • Coconut Greek Yogurt Fruit Salad! Made with fresh fruit, Greek yogurt, vanilla and coconut milk. This salad is a healthier spin on fruit salad. Paleo + Vegan options included. Low Calorie + Gluten Free
    Healthy Greek Yogurt Fruit Salad
  • Healthy Low Calorie Coleslaw made with Greek yogurt instead of mayo and no added sugar. This simple, healthy coleslaw recipe is bursting with vegetables and nutrients while being lower in calories and fat.
    Low Calorie Coleslaw
  • Healthy Chickpea Tomato Cucumber Salad is a low calorie side dish that's easy to make, delicious and doubles as an appetizer. A light and filling side salad that goes easily with any meal and great for warm weather eating.
    Simple Chickpea Salad

Some links on this site are affiliate links for which I am compensated a small commission if the link is clicked and a purchase is made. There is no cost to you. For a full disclosure policy, visit my Policies.

My Cookbook

low calorie cookbook

Follow me on Facebook! Follow me on Pinterest! Follow me on Instagram! Follow me on YouTube!
  • Weight Loss Coaching
  • Free Weight Loss Class
  • Podcast
  • Recipe Index
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2025 Skinny Fitalicious® Design by Melissa Rose Design Development by Once Coupled

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.