With the slow cooker, and just 4 simple ingredients, you’ll swear this Shredded Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken just up and cooked itself. I gotta tell ya, this recipe is just…wonderful.
They tastes as if you’ve been smoking them all day. Seriously, it’s like a cheat code. And they’re cheap to make! We LOVE them as sandwiches with slaw, but you can also serve them as tacos, casseroles, or with rice and broccoli.
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I don’t know about you but I’m always in the mood for a little barbecue action. Whether it’s sunny out or icy, shredded BBQ chicken legs are always in style. It’s an ideal easy delicious meal.
We’re BIG fans of chicken legs. Are you? Well, check out are air fryer barbecue chicken legs, and see our easy air fryer potato wedges for an easy buy AMAZING side dish.
Oh, by the way, if saucy meals are your thing, you have to check out our Asian Turkey & Broccoli Recipe, and our drippy BBQ Chicken Sandwich.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe…
- I started testing out this recipe with one goal in mind. And that was to use up those forgotten chicken drumsticks in the freezer. It’s a great way to use chicken legs. I’ll bet you have some lonely chicken in the back of your freezer just waiting to be made into something wonderful.
- You know, with phone apps, it’s just too easy to order takeout. So this recipe is one of my meal heroes. It’s my secret weapon in the fight against unplanned, unbudgeted takeout. It’s tasty, it’s easy, and it freezes and thaws like a dream. Just keep a few batches around in the freezer.
- Let’s talk flavor. After hours stewing in the slow cooker, the chicken legs aren’t just topped with BBQ sauce, they become packed with BBQ goodness. The BBQ doesn’t just sit on the chicken legs, it becomes one with it. Mmmm…
- It’s so easy, you might get a slight feeling of guilt, like you’re cheating! But forget all that! Life is hard, it’s perfectly okay if dinner is easy. Let the slow cooker guarantee the chicken legs are juicy, tender, and shred-able every time.
- When you make this recipe, you’ll look around at the smiling faces noshing away. And you’ll think, I made this delicious dinner (or lunch), and it was so cheap. Trust me, it’s a keeper.
Ingredients
- Chicken Legs – chicken legs are cheap and overlooked, but make great pulled chicken for sandwiches and other dishes.
- BBQ Sauce – choose your favorite BBQ sauce.
- Seasoning Blend – choose your favorite all purpose seasoning.
- Liquid Smoke (optional) – For that extra smoky flavor.
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Shredded Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs
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Top Tip
Slow cookers meals like this are great but also have very soft mouthfeel. So I think you’ll have long term success (as in your family won’t complain) with recipes like this if you serve it with something crunchy like slaw, chips, or celery.
Equipment
We made this recipe using the slow cooker function of our Instant Pot Multi-Cooker. It’s better than other slow cookers mainly for a couple reasons. It has a timer display and a tighter fitting lid which results in food cooking faster.
Storage
To store leftovers, place the pulled BBQ chicken in an airtight container or zipper bag in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.
You can store the cooked chicken in a food container in the fridge for a few days or freeze it for up to 3 months.
To reheat from the fridge, heat the chicken in a pan over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until warmed through.
If reheating from frozen, allow it to thaw overnight (in the fridge, of course) then reheat in a pan for 5-7 minutes until warmed through.
FAQ
Yes! Actually, you can use any cut of chicken. I chose chicken legs because they were lonely sitting in the back of my freezer and I wanted make use of them. Plus, chicken legs, are delish. With breast, you’ll want to adjust the cooking time down a little as you don’t want them to dry out.
Oh, yes! It’ll keep in the fridge for a few days. But the real value of this recipe is meal prep. I recommend making a big batch, portioning it out, and freezing. Then, when you’re ready to eat, just thaw in the fridge. It reheats so well.
So many ways. We like to make BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches on brioche buns with slaw and pickles. You can also serve it over rice or use it as a topping for baked potatoes like our buffalo chicken sweet potatoes!
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 3 Lbs Chicken Legs
- 1 ½ Cups BBQ Sauce
- 2 Tbsp All-Purpose Seasoning
- 1 Tsp Liquid Smoke
Instructions
- Add chicken legs to the slow cooker bowl.
- Add the all-purpose seasoning on top.
- Pour the BBQ sauce all over.
- Cover and set to low and cook for 5-6 hours.
- Remove the chicken from the sauce and remove the bones and skin. Shred using 2 forks.
- Add the shredded chicken back to the sauce and serve. Enjoy!
Notes
- Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- You can freeze leftovers for up to 3 months.
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