Easy 2-Ingredient Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

This Easy 2-Ingredient Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken is one of those recipes I come back to again and again.

Just chicken and your favorite barbecue sauce (affiliate link) are all you need. Toss everything into the slow cooker, walk away, and come back to tender, juicy chicken that’s ready to shred and serve however you like.

It’s the kind of recipe I especially appreciate on busy days when I don’t feel like cooking but still want something homemade and satisfying.

A close cousin to my favorite 2-ingredient salsa chicken, this easy BBQ chicken is endlessly versatile and always a hit.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Just 2 ingredients
• Minimal prep
• Easy to customize
• Great for meal prep
• Perfect for sandwiches, bowls, wraps, and salads
• WW-friendly and family friendly

Ingredients and Substitutions

Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs

I love chicken thighs here because they stay moist and shred beautifully.

But this recipe is wonderfully flexible. You can also use:

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts
• Chicken tenders
• A mix of breasts and thighs

Barbecue Sauce

Use a barbecue sauce (affiliate link) you truly enjoy because it provides almost all of the flavor.

To keep things lighter, look for lower sugar varieties such as:

• G Hughes Sugar Free BBQ Sauce
• Sweet Baby Ray’s No Sugar Added
• Kinders Zero Sugar BBQ Sauce

Sweet, smoky, spicy, or tangy all work well.

How to Make Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

Ideal slow cooker size: 4-Quart

Step 1: Place the chicken in the slow cooker. Pour the barbecue sauce evenly over the top.

Step 2: Cover and cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours, or until the chicken is very tender.

Step 3: Transfer the chicken to a plate or cutting board (affiliate link). Using two forks, shred the meat into bite-size pieces.

Step 4: Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir it into the sauce. Taste and season with salt and pepper if desired. Serve warm.

Recipe Notes

Be sure to use your favorite barbecue sauce. The chicken will release plenty of juice during cooking, which will dilute the flavors a bit. Using a low-sugar or sugar-free BBQ sauce can help keep the meal light and WW-friendly. Brands like G Hughes or Sweet Baby Ray’s offer low-sugar versions that pack a lot of flavor without the extra calories.

While I chose boneless, skinless chicken thighs, go with whatever part of the chicken you prefer – drumsticks, legs and breasts all will work.

Ways to Serve BBQ Chicken

This is where the recipe really shines. Serve it:

• Piled onto sandwich buns as pulled BBQ chicken
• Stuffed into baked sweet potatoes
• Over rice or cauliflower rice
• In wraps or tacos
• On top of salads
• Inside baked potatoes
• On pizza or flatbread
• In grain bowls

I often make a batch specifically for leftovers because there are so many easy ways to use it throughout the week.

Variations

Add Onion
Add one sliced onion to the slow cooker along with the chicken.

Make it Spicy
Add a little chipotle powder, cayenne, or your favorite hot sauce.

Use Pork Instead
This recipe works beautifully with pork shoulder for an easy pulled pork variation.

Try Different Sauces

Experiment with:

• Spicy bourbon BBQ
• Honey BBQ
• Carolina Gold
• Smoky chipotle BBQ
• Kansas City style

Storage and Leftovers

Store leftover BBQ chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

It also freezes beautifully. Freeze in meal-sized portions for quick lunches and dinners later on.

How Many Calories and WW Points in Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken?

According to my calculations, each serving has about 200 calories and 4 WW Points.

To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)

5 PointsPlus (Old plan)

If you like this easy, healthy 2-Ingredient Barbecue Chicken, be sure to check out some of my other easy, healthy Weight Watchers friendly slow cooker recipes with minimal ingredients including: 2-Ingredient Salsa Chicken, 2-Ingredient Slow Cooker Italian Chicken, 3-Ingredient Creamy Italian Chicken, 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Goddess Chicken and 3-Ingredient Crock Pot Italian Beef

If you’ve made this Crock Pot Barbecue Chicken, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.

More Easy Slow Cooker Recipes with Few Ingredients

• 2-Ingredient CrockPot Chicken and Marinara
  Add a jar of marinara sauce to chicken breasts/thighs for an Italian-inspired dish. Serve over pasta or spaghetti squash for a comforting meal.
• 2-Ingredient CrockPot Salsa Chicken
  Just add a jar of salsa to the chicken breasts or thighs. It makes a flavorful, juicy dish that pairs well with rice, tortillas, or as a taco filling.
• 2-Ingredient Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken
  Combine chicken breasts or thighs with a can of cream of chicken soup for an easy healthy comfort food classic.

• 2-Ingredient Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken
  Combine chicken breasts or thighs with a bottle of teriyaki sauce. It creates a savory-sweet glaze that pairs well with rice or steamed veggies.
• 2-Ingredient CrockPot French Onion Chicken
  Use a can of French onion soup with the chicken. This results in a rich, flavorful broth with tender, juicy chicken—great with creamy low calorie mashed potatoes or crusty bread.
• 2-Ingredient Slow Cooker Italian Dressing Chicken
  Pour a bottle of Italian dressing over chicken thighs. It results in tangy, well-seasoned chicken that works well with pasta or a green salad.