If you love tender, saucy BBQ chicken without firing up the grill, this Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken is your dream dinner. It’s everything we love about Southern-style comfort food—sweet, tangy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Just toss the ingredients in your slow cooker, and let time do all the work.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken
This chicken is foolproof, flavorful, and family-approved—perfect for busy weeknights or weekend get-togethers.
- Only 10 minutes of prep
- Slow-cooked for effortless tenderness
- Sweet and smoky BBQ flavor
- Great for sandwiches, tacos, or rice bowls
- Budget-friendly and meal-prep ready
- Smells incredible while it cooks
I first made this when my buddies came over for a Sunday football game. I tossed everything in the slow cooker, forgot about it, and by halftime, the house smelled like a backyard BBQ. Now it’s a family staple—easy, hearty, and downright comforting.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe combines pantry basics and Sweet Baby Ray’s legendary BBQ sauce for unbeatable flavor.
Main Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 bottle (18 oz) Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Add-Ons Or Substitutes
- Add ½ teaspoon smoked paprika for a deeper BBQ note
- Swap apple cider vinegar for pineapple juice for tropical sweetness
- Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for juicier texture
- Add a dash of hot sauce for spice
- Finish with a sprinkle of green onions or parsley for freshness
- Try sugar-free BBQ sauce for a lighter version
Step-By-Step Instructions
This crockpot recipe couldn’t be simpler—just set it, forget it, and come back to pure BBQ perfection.
- Prep The Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, and garlic powder. (This step gives the sauce its tangy-sweet balance.)
- Season The Chicken: Place chicken breasts in the crockpot and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Add The Sauce: Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken.
- Cook Low And Slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or on HIGH for 3–4 hours, until chicken is tender and pulls apart easily.
- Shred And Serve: Shred chicken directly in the crockpot using two forks, then stir it into the sauce to soak up all that flavor.
Quick reminders:
- Avoid lifting the lid while cooking—it slows down the process.
- For extra smoky flavor, add 1 teaspoon liquid smoke.
- Shred the chicken only once it’s fully tender.
- Let it rest 5 minutes before serving to thicken the sauce.
Expert Tips For Success
Getting that restaurant-style flavor comes down to the right balance of sweetness and tang.
- Use Sweet Baby Ray’s Original or Honey BBQ for the richest flavor.
- Don’t overcook—check tenderness around the 5-hour mark.
- Add a little cornstarch slurry if you want a thicker sauce.
- Keep leftovers covered in sauce to stay juicy.
- Serve over rice, in sandwiches, or with grilled corn.
- Double the batch—it reheats beautifully.
- Garnish with fresh herbs or a squeeze of lemon for brightness.
If you love saucy comfort food, check out my Coconut Chicken Rice Bowl—another hearty, flavor-packed meal that’s just as easy.
Serving Suggestions
This BBQ chicken is endlessly versatile—serve it any way you like.
- Pile on hamburger buns for pulled chicken sandwiches
- Serve over mashed potatoes or rice
- Add to tacos with slaw and avocado
- Spoon over Greek Potato Salad for a BBQ twist
- Serve with baked beans or cornbread for a full Southern spread
- Great for picnics, potlucks, or weeknight dinners
You can even pair it with Honey Dijon Chicken to create a double BBQ-style dinner platter.
Storing And Reheating
This chicken tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen.
How To Store It
- Refrigerate in airtight container up to 5 days
- Freeze leftovers (with sauce) up to 3 months
- Store portions in freezer-safe bags for meal prep
- Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating
- Keep covered to retain moisture
How To Reheat It
- Warm in saucepan over medium-low heat until hot
- Or microwave in 1-minute bursts, stirring between intervals
- Add a splash of water or BBQ sauce if it thickens too much
- Reheat only the portion you need to avoid drying out
- Stir before serving to coat evenly in sauce
Once reheated, it’s just as tender and juicy as day one.
Estimated Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 315 | Protein: 36g | Carbs: 18g | Fat: 10g | Sugar: 15g | Fiber: 1g
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, but thaw first for even cooking and better flavor absorption.
Can I make this in the oven?
Definitely! Bake covered at 375°F for 35–40 minutes until tender.
Can I use chicken thighs?
Absolutely—thighs stay moist and flavorful in slow cooking.
Final Thoughts
Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken is what comfort food is all about—simple, sweet, smoky, and packed with flavor. Every forkful melts in your mouth and reminds you that great meals don’t have to be complicated.
- Use quality BBQ sauce—it makes all the difference
- Cook low and slow for maximum tenderness
- Shred into sauce for the perfect juicy finish
For another slow-cooked favorite, try my French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Bake—it’s rich, hearty, and just as easy to love.
Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a small bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, and garlic powder.
- Place chicken breasts in the crockpot and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until chicken is tender and pulls apart easily.
- Shred chicken directly in the crockpot using two forks, then stir it into the sauce. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
