Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken: Easy Flavor-Packed Weeknight Dinner Recipe
Introduction
Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken is a deliciously tender and juicy slow cooker dish that’s bursting with bold BBQ flavors. With minimal prep and simple pantry staples, it’s a perfect weeknight meal for sandwiches, rice bowls, or wraps.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 bottle Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: Season the chicken breasts evenly with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Step 2: In a bowl, combine the BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and olive oil, mixing until smooth.
- Step 3: Arrange the seasoned chicken in a single layer inside your crockpot.
- Step 4: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken, making sure each piece is well coated.
- Step 5: Cook on low for 4-6 hours, or on high for 2-3 hours until the chicken is tender.
- Step 6: Shred the cooked chicken using two forks right in the crockpot.
- Step 7: Stir the shredded chicken back into the sauce and serve as desired.
Tips & Variations
- For a richer flavor, substitute chicken breasts with boneless skinless chicken thighs.
- Add diced onions or jalapeños to the crockpot for extra texture and a slight kick.
- Serve the shredded chicken on buns, over rice, or with a side of coleslaw for a complete meal.
Storage
Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through. For longer storage, freeze in a sealed container for up to 2 months and thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
It’s best to use thawed chicken breasts to ensure even cooking and food safety. If using frozen chicken, increase the cooking time and confirm the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
How spicy is this recipe?
This recipe has a mild sweetness balanced by tangy BBQ sauce. You can adjust the heat by adding jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce mixture if you prefer a spicier flavor.
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Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken: Easy Flavor-Packed Weeknight Dinner Recipe
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken is a tender, juicy, and flavor-packed slow cooker recipe made with minimal prep and pantry staples. Featuring Sweet Baby Ray’s famous BBQ sauce combined with brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and garlic powder, this dish slow-cooks to a sweet-tangy glaze that’s perfect for sandwiches, rice bowls, wraps, or simple weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Sauce
- 1 bottle (about 18 oz) Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Sprinkle both sides of the chicken breasts evenly with garlic powder, salt, and pepper to ensure the meat is well flavored prior to cooking.
- Prepare the sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and olive oil. Whisk until thoroughly mixed to create a sweet-tangy glaze.
- Layer the chicken: Arrange the seasoned chicken breasts in a single layer at the bottom of your crockpot to promote even cooking.
- Add the sauce: Pour the prepared BBQ sauce mixture evenly over the chicken, making sure each piece is well coated.
- Cook the chicken: Cover and cook on low heat for 4 to 6 hours, or on high heat for 2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked through.
- Shred the chicken: Using two forks, shred the cooked chicken directly in the crockpot for easy serving and mixing with the sauce.
- Mix and serve: Stir the shredded chicken thoroughly into the remaining sauce to coat every bite, then serve hot. Enjoy it on buns, over rice bowls, with wraps, or alongside coleslaw.
Notes
- For a richer flavor and more tender meat, swap chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
- Add diced onions or jalapeños to the crockpot before cooking for extra texture and a bit of heat.
- This shredded BBQ chicken is delicious served on sandwich buns, over steamed rice, or paired with crisp coleslaw.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Sweet Baby Ray’s chicken, crockpot chicken recipe, BBQ chicken slow cooker, shredded BBQ chicken, easy chicken dinner, slow cooker recipes
