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Slow Cooker Zesty BBQ Chicken Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 3.9 from 60 reviews
  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 6 hours 40 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Slow Cooker Zesty BBQ Chicken is a flavorful and easy-to-make recipe perfect for a hands-off meal. Tender chicken breasts simmered in a tangy combination of BBQ sauce, Italian dressing, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce create a deliciously sweet and tangy dish. Perfect for piling onto hamburger buns and topped with creamy coleslaw and spicy jalapeños, this recipe yields 12 servings and is ideal for family dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (3 large or 4 small)

Sauce

  • 1 bottle (18 oz) BBQ sauce (recommend Sweet Baby Ray’s)
  • 1 cup Italian salad dressing (recommend Olive Garden Italian dressing)
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Optional Toppings

  • Hamburger buns
  • Coleslaw
  • Zesty Italian dressing (to replace standard for coleslaw)
  • Chili powder, to taste
  • Cayenne red pepper, to taste
  • Sliced jalapeños

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Slow Cooker: Lightly coat the insert of your slow cooker with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Arrange the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts evenly on the bottom of the slow cooker insert.
  3. Mix the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the BBQ sauce, Italian salad dressing, light brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir until the mixture is well blended.
  4. Add Sauce to Chicken: Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker, ensuring all the chicken is well-coated.
  5. Slow Cook: Cover with the lid and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours, until the chicken is tender and easy to shred.
  6. Shred the Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken breasts and use two forks to shred them thoroughly.
  7. Return and Marinate: Place the shredded chicken back into the sauce in the slow cooker. Stir to fully combine. For extra flavor, allow the chicken to marinate in the sauce for about 30 minutes on warm, or serve immediately if desired.
  8. Serve: Using a slotted spoon to drain excess sauce, serve the shredded BBQ chicken on hamburger buns. Add coleslaw and sliced jalapeños as toppings, if desired.

Notes

  • Lightly coating the slow cooker insert helps prevent the chicken from sticking during cooking.
  • For a spicier kick, add chili powder, cayenne pepper, or sliced jalapeños as toppings.
  • You can use classic or zesty Italian dressing depending on your flavor preference.
  • Allowing the shredded chicken to marinate in the sauce on warm for 30 minutes enhances the flavor.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.

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Find it online: https://cozyfamilydinners.com/slow-cooker-zesty-bbq-chicken-recipe/