Effortless & Delicious: The Ultimate Slow Cooker Barbecue Pulled Chicken with Homemade Sweet Coleslaw

Prepare to elevate your weeknight dinners and weekend gatherings with this incredibly easy and utterly delicious slow cooker barbecue pulled chicken recipe. Designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort, this dish yields tender, moist, and deeply flavorful barbecue chicken that simply begs to be piled high on a sandwich or served as the star of a classic BBQ plate. What makes this recipe truly special is the simple yet robust homemade barbecue sauce that cooks directly with the chicken breasts, infusing every fiber with a sweet and tangy goodness.

Barbecue is more than just food; it’s a feeling. It’s comfort, it’s celebration, and it’s a flavor profile I crave in any season. Whether layered generously into a soft bun or served proudly on a plate alongside comforting sides, BBQ pulled chicken always hits the spot. Imagine sinking your teeth into a sandwich filled with juicy, saucy chicken, perfectly complemented by a creamy, tangy coleslaw. Or perhaps a heaping plate with creamy white cheddar mac and cheese and a vibrant healthy creamy coleslaw. Add a classic like these deviled eggs, and you’ve got yourself a feast!

While I adore classic pairings like sweet and savory baked beans or a refreshing collard greens salad, for me, coleslaw isn’t just an option—it’s a necessity. The crisp texture and bright, tangy notes of slaw provide the perfect balance to the rich, smoky flavors of barbecue meat. It’s the delightful crunch and zesty counterpoint that truly completes the experience.

In this guide, you’ll find a delightful recipe for a sweet coleslaw that pairs exquisitely with our pulled chicken. If you prefer, this chicken is also fantastic with my healthy broccoli slaw or a lighter healthy creamy coleslaw, both of which offer a delicious tanginess, often enhanced by Greek yogurt. And for those looking to explore even more side dish inspiration, don’t miss these amazing sides for pulled pork sandwiches, featuring both traditional staples and exciting twists like smoked mac and cheese!

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken

This slow cooker barbecue pulled chicken isn’t just a meal; it’s a culinary triumph for anyone seeking flavor, convenience, and versatility. Here’s why it’s destined to become a staple in your kitchen:

• Effortless Cooking: The slow cooker does most of the work, allowing you to “set it and forget it.” Perfect for busy weeknights or when you want delicious food without being chained to the stove.
• Incredible Tenderness: Low and slow cooking ensures the chicken breasts become unbelievably tender and succulent, literally falling apart with just two forks.
• Deep, Rich Flavor: Our homemade barbecue sauce seeps into every piece of chicken as it cooks, resulting in a deeply flavorful and juicy dish that’s packed with tangy, sweet, and savory notes.
• Versatile Serving Options: From classic sandwiches and hearty BBQ plates to salads, tacos, or even pizza toppings, this pulled chicken adapts to countless meal ideas.
• Crowd-Pleaser: Barbecue is universally loved, and this pulled chicken is a guaranteed hit for family dinners, potlucks, or game day gatherings.
• Homemade Goodness: Making your own BBQ sauce from scratch adds a personal touch and allows you to control the ingredients, ensuring a fresh and authentic taste.

How to Make Moist Barbecue Chicken in the Slow Cooker

Achieving perfectly moist and tender pulled chicken in your slow cooker is simpler than you might think. Follow these essential tips for the best results:

• Choose Your Cooking Time Wisely: You have the flexibility to cook this slow cooker barbecue pulled chicken either on low or on high heat. While cooking on high (typically 3 hours) will still yield incredibly moist chicken, for the absolute most tender and fall-apart texture, I highly recommend cooking on low heat (around 6 hours). The extended low heat allows the chicken fibers to break down more gently, resulting in unparalleled tenderness. Don’t worry if you’re short on time, though – the high-heat method is a fantastic alternative that still delivers deliciousness!
• Select the Perfect Sauce Base: The quality of your BBQ sauce significantly impacts the final flavor. While you can certainly use a high-quality store-bought BBQ sauce or a simpler easy BBQ sauce, our homemade version in this recipe offers a depth of flavor that’s hard to beat. If opting for a thick store-bought sauce, consider thinning it slightly with a little water or chicken broth before cooking. This ensures the sauce completely envelops the chicken and allows for some evaporation during the long cook time without burning, while also helping the flavors penetrate deeper into the meat. The slow-cooked onions in our homemade sauce also contribute an amazing, mellow sweetness that blends beautifully with the pulled chicken.
• Ensure the Chicken is Fully Submerged: It’s crucial to “smother” the chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Pour the homemade sauce generously over the chicken, making sure to get some underneath and around each piece. The sauce acts as a protective, flavorful liquid bath, locking in moisture as the chicken cooks for hours. This constant contact with the sauce is key to developing that rich, barbecue flavor and maintaining juiciness.
• Shred While Hot for Optimal Texture: For the easiest and best shredding experience, remove the chicken to a cutting board and pull it apart while it’s still hot. Using two forks or specialized meat shredding claws, hold one end of the chicken breast and scrape at the other end until all the chicken has been shredded into desired pieces. Pulling it hot allows the steam to escape, preventing the chicken from becoming rubbery as it cools. Once shredded, toss the chicken back into the slow cooker with some of the reserved sauce to reabsorb even more moisture and flavor, ensuring every bite is succulent.

Key Ingredients for Slow Cooker Barbecue Pulled Chicken

The success of this recipe lies in a few key ingredients that work in harmony to create an unforgettable barbecue experience:

• The Barbecue Sauce: As mentioned, the sauce is paramount. You can opt for your favorite brand of store-bought BBQ sauce for convenience, but the old-fashioned homemade barbecue sauce detailed below is truly exceptional. Its balance of tang, sweetness, and a hint of spice from the cayenne pepper sets it apart. Alternatively, consider trying the delicious sauce from this easy BBQ chicken recipe for a different flavor profile. The key ingredients for our homemade sauce—cider vinegar, water, yellow mustard, pepper, salt, cayenne pepper, lemon, onion, butter, catchup, and Worcestershire sauce—create a complex, perfectly balanced flavor that deepens as it slow cooks with the chicken.
• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast: For this specific recipe, boneless, skinless chicken breasts are highly recommended. This cut ensures even cooking, allows the sauce and seasonings to penetrate the meat thoroughly, and makes the shredding process incredibly easy after cooking. While you can technically use bone-in chicken, it will unnecessarily extend the cooking time, and the skin acts as a barrier to flavor absorption, requiring removal after cooking anyway. For another take on chicken breast, you might also enjoy my maple chipotle barbecued chicken breast recipe!
• Fresh Aromatics: The inclusion of fresh onion in our homemade sauce is not just for flavor; it adds a wonderful texture to the pulled chicken once cooked down. The lemon slice brightens the sauce, adding another layer of complexity.

Serving Suggestions and Variations

This slow cooker barbecue pulled chicken recipe is incredibly adaptable, allowing for endless customization to suit your taste and dietary preferences. Here are some fantastic ways to serve it and creative variations to try:

• Transform it into Pulled BBQ Pork: If you’re a pork lover, this recipe is easily adaptable! Simply swap the chicken breasts for a 3-4 pound pork butt or pork shoulder. For pork, I strongly recommend cooking on LOW for 6-8 hours, or even longer (up to 10 hours) for larger cuts, as this particular cut needs ample time to break down and become incredibly tender and shreddable. The extra marbling in pork shoulder will result in an even richer, more succulent pulled meat.
• Experiment with Different Sauce Flavors: Our homemade sauce is delightfully tangy and sweet, but feel free to mix things up! For a smoky heat, try a chipotle maple BBQ sauce, like the one used in these baked BBQ chicken breasts. You could also add a dash of your favorite hot sauce, a spoonful of brown sugar for extra sweetness, or a touch of smoked paprika for a deeper, smoky aroma. Adjust the vinegar or mustard to alter the tanginess to your liking.
• Explore Different Chicken Cuts: While chicken breasts are fantastic, don’t hesitate to use a mix of breasts and chicken thighs for a richer, juicier result, as dark meat tends to retain more moisture. You could even use pieces from a whole chicken – just ensure they are cut into manageable sizes for the slow cooker. If you need assistance with preparing a whole chicken, my video on deboning a whole chicken has you covered! Remember to adjust cooking times slightly for bone-in pieces.
• Choose a Healthier or Different Slaw: While I firmly believe slaw is a non-negotiable side with barbecue, you have options beyond the sweet coleslaw provided. My healthy creamy slaw, often made with Greek yogurt for extra tang and lightness, pairs wonderfully with this pulled chicken and is what is often pictured on the slow cooker barbecue pulled chicken sandwiches. For a vibrant, crunchy alternative, consider a zesty broccoli slaw. The key is to have that cool, crisp, and tangy contrast to the warm, savory chicken.
• Bake Your Own Buns for an Elevated Experience: While store-bought buns are perfectly fine, baking your own makes an incredible difference. It might seem like a bit more effort, but these Brioche Hamburger Buns are absolutely worth it. Their rich, buttery flavor and soft texture elevate the pulled chicken sandwich to gourmet status.
• Assemble a Classic BBQ Plate: Beyond sandwiches, this Barbecue Pulled Chicken is heavenly when served as part of a complete Southern-style plate. Pair it with fluffy Sweet Cornbread or a more savory southern cornbread, and all the classic fixings. Think creamy baked mac and cheese, comforting baked beans, and a refreshing potato salad. It’s the ultimate comfort food combination that never disappoints.

5 from 2 ratings

Barbecue Pulled Chicken Sandwiches with Sweet Coleslaw

by Chef Lindsey

This Barbecue Pulled Chicken Sandwiches with Sweet Coleslaw is made in the slow cooker! A sweet, delicious homemade barbecue sauce and an easy coleslaw make this one epic sandwich!

Prep: 30 minutes mins

Cook: 3 hours hrs

Total: 3 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 people

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Ingredients 

 

For the Barbeque Chicken:

• ▢ ¼ cup cider vinegar
• ▢ ½ cup water
• ▢ 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
• ▢ ½ teaspoon pepper
• ▢ 1 ½ teaspoon salt
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper rounded
• ▢ 1 lemon slice
• ▢ 1 white onion or yellow onion
• ▢ ¼ cup butter
• ▢ ½ cup catchup
• ▢ 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

For the Sweet Coleslaw:

• ▢ 1 16 oz bag coleslaw mix* or you can shred your own cabbage (½ head + 1 carrot)
• ▢ 2 tablespoons diced onion
• ▢ ⅓ cup Light Mayonnaise or Miracle whip
• ▢ 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• ▢ ½ cup white sugar
• ▢ 1 tablespoon white vinegar or rice vinegar
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ▢ 1 teaspoon poppy seeds

Instructions 

Make the sauce:

• Peel and slice onion in half from the roots to the tip. Slice thinly vertically (from the root to the tip, rather than across the middle).
• In a saucepan, combine the cider vinegar, water, sugar, yellow mustard, pepper, salt, cayenne, lemon slice, sliced onion, and butter.
• Simmer the mixture, uncovered, for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the onions to soften. After simmering, remove and discard the lemon slice.
• Add the catchup and Worcestershire sauce to the saucepan; bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce heat and let it gently simmer for a few more minutes to thicken slightly.
• While you could puree the sauce for a smoother consistency, I find that leaving the slow-cooked, tender onion pieces as is provides a delightful texture and added flavor that perfectly complements the pulled chicken.

Make the chicken:

• Place 2 to 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts in your slow cooker. Pour all of the prepared barbecue sauce over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well-coated and partially submerged. If you prefer a very saucy chicken or are cooking 4 breasts, I recommend doubling the sauce recipe. Cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours. While both methods work, cooking on low heat consistently yields the most tender and flavorful results. High heat is a perfectly acceptable option when you’re in a pinch!
• Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken breasts to a cutting board. Using two forks (or meat shredding claws), hold one end of a chicken breast and use the other fork to scrape and pull the meat until it’s all beautifully shredded. Repeat for all chicken pieces.
• Transfer the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker, tossing it with some of the remaining sauce to keep it moist and infuse it with even more flavor. Place in a serving dish and cover loosely with foil to keep warm until ready to serve.

Make the Coleslaw:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the light mayonnaise (or Miracle Whip), vegetable oil, white sugar, white vinegar (or rice vinegar), kosher salt, and poppy seeds until well combined. Pour this dressing over your coleslaw mix (or shredded cabbage and carrot) and diced onion, then toss thoroughly to coat every piece. Chill the coleslaw in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours prior to serving. This chilling step is crucial; it allows the flavors to meld and the cabbage to soften slightly, making for a much better texture and taste. Trust me, trying to serve it after only 30 minutes won’t yield the same delicious results!
• With a little bit of prep-work done early in the day, both your slow cooker barbecue pulled chicken and sweet coleslaw can be ready to assemble for a complete dinner in a matter of minutes! Enjoy this truly effortless and delicious meal!

Video

Notes

Bert’s Superb Barbecue Sauce: Adapted from Good Housekeeping Cookbook 1955 Ed.

Sweet Restaurant Slaw: Adapted from Allrecipes.com

*Chef’s Tip: I often like to add 1 small bag of broccoli slaw mix to my coleslaw for extra crunch and nutritional value.

Nutrition

Calories: 367kcal |
Carbohydrates: 41g |
Protein: 1g |
Fat: 23g |
Saturated Fat: 9g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 6g |
Trans Fat: 1g |
Cholesterol: 33mg |
Sodium: 1732mg |
Potassium: 251mg |
Fiber: 1g |
Sugar: 35g |
Vitamin A: 588IU |
Vitamin C: 8mg |
Calcium: 46mg |
Iron: 1mg

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 367

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Before You Go

I genuinely hope you enjoyed this professional chef-tested recipe for slow cooker barbecue pulled chicken and its delightful sweet coleslaw pairing. It’s a truly satisfying dish that brings comfort and flavor to any table with minimal effort. Don’t stop here – explore our other delicious, chef-developed chicken recipes for more culinary inspiration. Or, if you’re looking for something entirely different, consider switching gears and cooking up a rich and flavorful Shrimp Curry tonight! Happy cooking!