Crockpot Apple Butter BBQ Pulled Chicken Recipe
Introduction
This Crockpot Apple Butter BBQ Pulled Chicken is a deliciously sweet and smoky meal that comes together effortlessly. Perfect for busy days, it’s tender, flavorful, and great served in sandwiches or alongside your favorite sides.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups BBQ sauce (divided, use Baby Ray’s recommended)
- 1 ½ cups apple butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Add the chicken breasts, 1 ½ cups of BBQ sauce, and the apple butter to the bottom of a 5 quart or larger slow cooker.
- Step 2: Cover and set the slow cooker to high for 3–4 hours or low for 5–7 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Step 3: Use two forks to shred the chicken inside the slow cooker, then stir in the remaining ½ cup of BBQ sauce to combine.
- Step 4: Serve immediately on its own, over sandwich buns, mashed potatoes, or wrapped in tortillas for a tasty meal.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika or chili powder before cooking.
- Use different BBQ sauce varieties to customize the taste to your preference.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the shredded chicken and reduce the sauce on the stovetop before mixing it back in.
Storage
Store any leftover pulled chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of water or extra BBQ sauce to keep it moist.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs work well and may produce even more tender, flavorful results.
How do I prevent the pulled chicken from drying out?
Cook the chicken just until it reaches 165°F and keep it covered to retain moisture. Mixing the shredded chicken with BBQ sauce also helps keep it juicy.
PrintCrockpot Apple Butter BBQ Pulled Chicken Recipe
This Crockpot Apple Butter BBQ Pulled Chicken is a flavorful and tender dish made by slow-cooking boneless skinless chicken breasts in a blend of BBQ sauce and sweet apple butter. Perfect for an easy meal, it can be served on buns, mashed potatoes, or wraps for a delicious comfort food experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-7 hours (depending on slow cooker setting)
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes to 7 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Chicken
- 3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
Sauces
- 2 cups BBQ sauce, divided (recommended: Baby Ray’s)
- 1 ½ cups apple butter
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker: Add the chicken breasts, 1 ½ cups of BBQ sauce, and the apple butter to the bottom of a 5 quart or larger slow cooker, ensuring the chicken is well coated with the sauce mixture.
- Cook the chicken: Cover the slow cooker and set it to high for 3-4 hours, or low for 5-7 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and the internal temperature reaches 165°F, indicating it is safe to eat.
- Shred the chicken: Use two forks to shred the cooked chicken directly in the slow cooker, mixing it thoroughly with the sauce to distribute the flavors evenly.
- Add remaining BBQ sauce: Stir in the remaining ½ cup of BBQ sauce to enhance the taste and moisten the shredded chicken further.
- Serve: Serve the pulled chicken immediately by itself, over buns as a sandwich, on top of mashed potatoes, or wrapped in tortillas for a versatile and tasty meal.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F for food safety.
- For thicker sauce, remove the shredded chicken and reduce the sauce on the stove before mixing back in.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Swap apple butter with regular or spiced apple sauce for variation.
- Choose your favorite BBQ sauce to customize sweetness or smokiness.
Keywords: Crockpot pulled chicken, apple butter BBQ chicken, slow cooker BBQ chicken, easy chicken recipe, pulled chicken sandwiches
