Slow Cooker BBQ Beer Chicken

This Slow Cooker BBQ Beer Chicken is about to become your new favorite recipe. Combine BBQ sauce’s sweet and tangy goodness with the rich, deep beer flavors, all cooked to perfection in your slow cooker. It is perfect for busy weeknights, laid-back weekends, game day or pot lucks.

This post was originally created in February 2013 and updated in May 2024 with new images and more information for the reader.

Let’s face it, weeknight dinners can be a struggle. Between work, errands, and activities, who has the time to babysit a pan on the stove? This is where the magic of the slow cooker comes in and this BBQ Beer Chicken recipe.

It’s an easy recipe and can be served a few different ways. Our favorite is BBQ chicken sandwiches or using the shredded chicken as a base for loaded nachos. Sometimes we even use the leftovers to make these chicken quesadillas.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Slow Cooker BBQ Beer Chicken

This recipe is all about letting your slow cooker do the heavy lifting. A few simple ingredients and some low and slow cooking transform chicken breasts into juicy, tender perfection. The beer adds a subtle depth of flavor that complements the smoky sweetness of the BBQ sauce, along with the spice rub.

The beauty of this recipe is that you can use your absolute favorite barbeque sauce and favorite beer. We love using this BBQ sauce and I recommend a bottle of light beer but again there’s not a set rule that you can’t use a dark beer. If you do, you may want to add a tablespoon or two of brown sugar to offset any bitterness from the beer. You can also make a homemade BBQ sauce to use.

Can I use chicken thighs for this recipe?

Yes, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs in place of the chicken breasts. Cook time will be the same but as always, check for doneness at the minimum time. Every crock pot heats and cooks differently, just like ovens.

What to serve with Crockpot BBQ Beer Chicken?

You can serve many different sides with this BBQ pulled chicken. Creamy coleslaw can be served on top of the BBQ sandwiches or as a side. A simple serving of your favorite potato chips is always a winner. Salads like my macaroni coleslaw salad or potato salad are always a hit with sandwiches. If you love baked beans, then try my easy baked beans recipe or these cowboy beans.

⏰Time-Saving Tips And Variations

• Prepare this the night before by adding the ingredients into the slow cooker’s insert, cover, and store in the refrigerator. Next morning, simply set the insert in your slow cooker and proceed as directed for cooking. It will add about 30 minutes to the recipe since the ingredients are chilled.
• Freezer meal tip: add all the ingredients into a freezer-safe resealable bag and freeze. Thaw in the refrigerator the night before and then pour chicken and sauce into the crockpot.
• Use your favorite BBQ sauce and beer.
• Omit the beer and use a can of root beer or ginger ale.
• Add a sliced onion to the bottom of the slow cooker before adding the chicken,
• Change up the spices by adding a bit of chili powder or add some diced jalapenos.
• Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheating is best in a bowl with a bit of water in the microwave or a pan on the stove over medium heat. 
• You can freeze leftovers to use as another meal or in recipes.
• Use two forks to shred the chicken or try these meat shredder claws.

🥣Equipment

• slow cooker
• measuring spoons

📃Ingredients

3 – 4 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 can or bottle of light beer
1 bottle (18 ounces) of Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce (or your favorite)
½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
½ teaspoon Basil
½ teaspoon Paprika
½ teaspoon Black Pepper

Directions

Mix seasonings in a small bowl and rub onto chicken, coating both sides. Place chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker. Top with the BBQ sauce and beer.

Cover and cook on high for 3 – 4 hours or Low for 4 – 6 hours or until chicken pulls apart. Shred chicken and allow to cook for 30 minutes to 1 hour more. NOTE: I cooked mine for 5.5 hours on low, shredded the chicken, and then let it cook for one more hour.

Serve as a delicious sandwich with coleslaw or add coleslaw to the top of the pulled chicken (optional)

Slow Cooker BBQ Beer Chicken is a game-changer for anyone who loves hearty, flavorful meals with minimal effort.

More Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes

• Cheesy Chicken Tator Tot Casserole
• Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken
• Slow Cooker Shredded Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches
• Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy

Printable Recipe Card

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Enjoy!