Crockpot Chicken Sandwiches

Crockpot Chicken Sandwiches are the perfect blend of tender, juicy chicken is slow-cooked with a savory mix of seasonings, creating a rich, melt-in-your-mouth filling. Paired with soft sandwich buns, for a busy weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing lunch.

Crockpot Chicken Sandwiches

What Are Crockpot Chicken Sandwiches?

Crockpot chicken sandwiches are a simple and delicious meal that involves cooking chicken breasts (or thighs) in a slow cooker with a blend of seasonings, sauces, and sometimes vegetables. As the chicken cooks over a few hours, it becomes fall-apart tender and easily shredded, ready to be piled onto your favorite buns or rolls. This slow cooking method ensures that the chicken retains maximum moisture and flavor, making it the perfect filling for sandwiches.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Easy Prep: Simply add the ingredients to the Crockpot, set it, and forget it. The slow cooker does all the work!
  • Versatile: You can switch up the seasonings, sauces, and toppings to make it your own.
  • Perfect for Meal Prep: It’s a fantastic recipe to prepare in advance. Make a batch, store it, and enjoy it throughout the week.
  • Kid-Friendly: The mild flavors and soft texture of the chicken are perfect for even picky eaters.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make these Crockpot chicken sandwiches, you’ll need the following ingredients:

  • Chicken Breasts or Thighs: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are most commonly used for this recipe, but boneless chicken thighs will work beautifully as well. Thighs tend to have a richer flavor and are more forgiving if overcooked.
  • Chicken Broth: This helps keep the chicken moist while it cooks.
  • BBQ Sauce: A tangy and slightly sweet barbecue sauce is what gives this sandwich its delicious flavor. Feel free to use your favorite store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce.
  • Seasonings: Common seasonings include salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. You can also add red pepper flakes for a bit of heat if you like.
  • Buns or Rolls: Choose soft sandwich buns or slider rolls. Brioche buns or whole wheat rolls are also popular choices.

Optional additions:

  • Shredded cheese: Sharp cheddar, provolone, or mozzarella work well.
  • Pickles: Dill pickles add a tangy crunch.
  • Coleslaw: A creamy coleslaw adds freshness and crunch to the sandwich.
Easy Crockpot Chicken Sandwiches

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Crockpot Chicken Sandwiches

  • Don’t Overcrowd the Crockpot: If you’re cooking a larger batch, avoid overstuffing the Crockpot. This will ensure the chicken cooks evenly.
  • Use Chicken Thighs for Extra Flavor: While chicken breasts are lean and work well, chicken thighs will result in even juicier sandwiches. Thighs have more fat, which keeps the meat moist during the slow cooking process.
  • Shred the Chicken While Hot: For the best texture, shred the chicken right after it’s done cooking while it’s still hot and juicy. This ensures the meat stays tender and flavorful.
  • Experiment with Sauces: BBQ sauce is the classic choice, but you can easily swap in other sauces, like honey mustard, buffalo sauce, or even a homemade spicy ranch for a unique twist.

Variations You Can Try

  • Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches: Swap the BBQ sauce for buffalo sauce for a spicy, tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with ranch dressing and crispy lettuce.
  • Crispy Chicken Sandwiches: After shredding the chicken, toast the buns and then top with the shredded chicken and melted cheese. For extra crunch, add crispy bacon or a handful of fried onions.
  • Slow Cooker Chicken Philly Sandwiches: Add bell peppers, onions, and a bit of provolone cheese for a Philly-inspired sandwich that’s sure to please.
  • Pulled Chicken with Carolina Sauce: For a southern-style twist, use a vinegar-based BBQ sauce (like Carolina mustard sauce) for a tangy, vinegar-forward flavor.

How to Serve Crockpot Chicken Sandwiches

Crockpot chicken sandwiches can be served in so many delicious ways. Here are a few ideas:

  • As a Main Dish: Serve the chicken sandwiches with a side of crispy fries or sweet potato wedges for a classic comfort meal.
  • With a Salad: For a lighter option, pair the sandwiches with a simple green salad or a tangy cucumber salad to balance the richness of the chicken.
  • Buffet Style: If you’re serving a crowd, let guests build their own sandwiches by providing an assortment of buns, toppings, and condiments.
Slow Cooker Crockpot Chicken Sandwiches

How to Store Crockpot Chicken Sandwiches

  • In the Fridge: Store leftover shredded chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. The chicken will continue to soak in the BBQ sauce, making it even more flavorful the next day.
  • Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the leftover shredded chicken in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, simply thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat it in the microwave or on the stove.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts or thighs. Just make sure to cook them on low for 6-7 hours to ensure they’re cooked through and tender.

Can I make Crockpot chicken sandwiches ahead of time?

Absolutely! The chicken can be cooked, shredded, and stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. Simply reheat it when you’re ready to serve, and assemble your sandwiches.

Can I use different sauces?

Yes! Feel free to get creative with your sauces. In addition to BBQ sauce, try using buffalo sauce, teriyaki sauce, or a sweet chili sauce to change up the flavor profile.

How can I make the chicken spicier?

If you like a little heat, add chili powder, cayenne pepper, or red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix before cooking. You can also use spicy BBQ sauce or hot sauce to kick up the spice level.

Yield: 8

Crockpot Chicken Sandwiches

Crockpot Chicken Sandwiches

Crockpot Chicken Sandwiches are the perfect blend of tender, juicy chicken is slow-cooked with a savory mix of seasonings, creating a rich, melt-in-your-mouth filling. Paired with soft sandwich buns, for a busy weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing lunch.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 cup honey
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar
  • ¼ cup butter
  • Buns for serving
  • Pickles for topping

Instructions

  1. Spray the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker with non-stick spray and lay the chicken breasts inside.
  2. In a small bowl, mix cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic salt. Sprinkle this seasoning mix evenly over the chicken.
  3. Top the chicken with brown sugar, then drizzle with honey and pour in the vinegar.
  4. Place the butter on top of the chicken.
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours or HIGH for 2 hours.
  6. Once cooked, shred the chicken with two forks right in the slow cooker.
  7. Serve the shredded chicken on soft buns and top with pickles for that perfect tangy crunch.

Nutrition Information

Yield

8

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 397Total Fat 10gSaturated Fat 5gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 112mgSodium 393mgCarbohydrates 41gFiber 1gSugar 38gProtein 36g

All Chicken Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

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Final Thoughts

Crockpot chicken sandwiches are a simple, delicious, and versatile meal that can be enjoyed by everyone. Whether you’re making them for a busy weeknight or prepping a meal for a weekend gathering, this recipe is a surefire winner. With the right seasonings, sauce, and toppings, you can easily customize the flavor to suit your personal preferences. Plus, the slow cooking method ensures that the chicken comes out perfectly tender and full of flavor every time.

Try these other chicken recipes:

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