Today’s tried and true is an awesome recipe that’s a cinch to make, full of flavor – Easy Slow Cooker Root Beer Barbecue Chicken! Simple never tasted so good.
EASY SLOW COOKER ROOT BEER BBQ CHICKEN
This fantastic, quick, and easy slow cooker chicken recipe calls for only 3 ingredients, Chicken, Root Beer and Barbecue Sauce with salt and pepper to taste. With only a 5-minute prep time, toss everything in the slow cooker and let the cooker do most of the work. The end result is super moist chicken that’s loaded with flavor! Serve the chicken piled high on a bun or roll, or serve over rice with a side of your favorite vegetables. Sure to become a new family favorite!
Read rave reviews from people who tried this recipe on Pinterest!
WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE ROOT BEER BARBECUE CHICKEN
Boneless skinless chicken breasts, barbecue sauce, and root beer.
HOW TO MAKE SLOW COOKER ROOT BEER BBQ CHICKEN
Spray the cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Place chicken in the slow cooker in a single layer, lightly season with salt and pepper. Pour root beer and barbecue sauce over top, making sure to coat chicken evenly. Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours. Be sure to adjust cooking time according to how fast/slow your cooker cooks. When ready, shred chicken using two forks, cover, and cook on warm or low for an additional 20 minutes.
So. Darn. Good. This is the perfect meal for a busy day, parties, game day, and more. The pickiest of eaters will love this chicken. My picky husband had two sandwiches for dinner and packed the leftovers for lunch at work tomorrow – this man doesn’t like to eat leftovers.
Add this simple, delicious recipe to your recipe box. This dinner saved me today after the holidays. I wasn’t in the mood to cook but didn’t want to order out. It was so nice to throw this in the slow cooker and walk away. I wasn’t surprised by how great it turned out, but just how much my husband loved it. Winning recipe!!
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Please Note: This is NOT a sponsored post. I have no affiliation with any of the products shared in this recipe.
Easy Slow Cooker Root Beer BBQ Chicken
Recipe from Pillsbury
Ingredients
- 2 1/2–3 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 1/2 cups of your favorite BBQ sauce (I use Sweet Baby Ray’s)
- 1 cup root beer (not diet)
- salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Spray the cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
Place chicken in the slow cooker in a single layer, lightly season with salt and pepper. Pour root beer and barbecue sauce over top, making sure to coat chicken evenly. Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours. Be sure to adjust cooking time according to how fast/slow your cooker cooks. When ready, shred the chicken using two forks, cover, and cook on warm or low for an additional 20 minutes.
Serve piled high on your favorite bun/roll or over rice.
Sides for sandwiches – French fries, onion rings, potato chips, coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, and side salad.
Sides for serving over rice – steamed broccoli/green beans/ mixed vegetables and salad.
Thanks for stopping by!
Cheers!
Vanessa
Could you use diet root beer instead?
Scott Ward
good recipe added fritos for crunch
Cathy
I was thinking that maybe i could add cornstarch to thicken the sauce.
Connie
Made this for dinner and it was yummy!! I used chicken thighs instead. After I shredded the chicken I added a little more bbq sauce before putting vmback in the crock pot. But my whole family loved it!! And soooo easy!!
Donna Wink
I used to make this, but only used the root beer for cooking. I added Bar B Que sauce at the end.
Christie Bristow
On the beer bbq chicken can you use dt root beer? My husband and I are diabetic.
Thank you
rebecca d houser
I am wondering the same thing.
Tami Song
After reading other’s comments about the thinness of the sauce, I’m going to make this the same way that I make 3 ingredient pulled pork. One can of root beer with the chicken in the crock pot. When the chicken is done cooking, you drain off all of the liquid. After shredding the chicken add in as much barbecue sauce as you want. I would think if this works with pork loin it should work the same for chicken as well.
Barbara
We prefer chicken thighs. Has anyone tried this recipe using thighs with or without bone?
Mary Neumann
I’ve made this using a mixture of boneless skinless breasts and thighs – thighs work well too. Use boneless, skinless.
Cindy
Made tonight-SO GOOD!! I’ve never tried soda as a cooking liquid before but it is SO juicy! The chicken is tender and shred easily with forks. Served it over rice. It’s a great anchor for a dish!
tasty chicken
Your chicken bbq looks very delicious. Moreover, it’s not too difficult to make so I will try soon, because is perfect for summer cookouts. Thanks for your sharing!
Jane
Why not jet root beer?
Mary Neumann
I’m not familiar with Jet root beer, Jane – but if it’s root beer, brand does not matter.
Stephanie
Can you prep and then freeze this to cook another day?
Diane Myers
What is the sodium count on this? My husband is on a restricted diet.
Mary Neumann
Hi Diane,
Head over to Pillsbury for all the nutritional information, it’s right below expert tips. Just remember the sodium will vary depending on the BBQ sauce you use.
Head here–> https://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/root-beer-slow-cooker-chicken/
TerriB
I was expecting the mix to be a little more thick and coating the chicken. Thought it turned out a little too. It simply “colored” the meat, it didn’t “coat” it. The flavor was ok though. Maybe next time I would cut back on the liquid.
Mary Neumann
I love this recipe as is, Terri, it has a lot of flavor. Did you use fresh or frozen chicken? Frozen chicken is often injected with a lot of juices which can alter the taste and thickness.
Claudia
I agree with Terri. A recipe in Pinterest uses 1 C BBQ sauce and 1/2 cup of root beer. This would have probably been better. Same flavor but not swimming in liquid.
Mary Neumann
The chicken is slow cooked in the sauce and root beer – it’s not thick. The sauce allows the chicken to be super tender (slow cooked) and flavorful. Head over to Pillsbury to read tips and great reviews. https://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/root-beer-slow-cooker-chicken/e36c9d55-64f7-4ccd-8301-0bb5f7944019#reviewDiv
Cathy
Might try adding some cornstarch to thicken the sauce
Hilary
How many will this recipe serve?
Mary Neumann
Hilary, it serves up to 8. If you like large portions, 6.
Brenna
can the chicken be frozen when it’s put in the crockpot? How would that effect the time?
Mary Neumann
It’s best for the chicken to be defrosted for even, safe cooking. Also, if you are using frozen chicken breast from a bag, many times they have a lot of liquid – your chicken will still taste great, but the sauce may be more thin/watery.
Terri Collier
why can’t you use diet root beer
Vernie Jordan
I love how you add the “sides” to serve with the recipe….Thanks!
Ann J
I’m going to try this with pheasant. I have lots of that in my freezer. The recipe looks so good!
Pam Donovan
Can I put it on low heat for 8 hours, so it will cook while I’m at work?
Mary Neumann
Hi Pam, 8 hours may be too long unless you know your cooker cooks slow. On low it should be ready in about 6-8 hours.
Dan. Thurston
I’ve made this with Coke a cola- I’m trying it with root beer..
Maybe try it with a pork roll too.
Thanks to all
Larry Gaines
Wonder if I can adapt this to the Instant Pot. I threw a worthless slow cooker away as it would never cook anything
Mary Neumann
I think I’m the only food blogger that has yet to start doing Instant Pot recipes. I was terrified of my grandparents’ pressure cooker as a child (they warmed me about it and to never touch it when it was cooking)…so I can’t tell you if it’s a good recipe to try in your Instant Pot – but it may be worth a try. This is a great recipe in the slow cooker!
Nancy
I’m going to try it in my instapot. 15 min. on high pressure
Marianne
Can I make this in the oven slowly?? Thank you.
Kirstie
Wondering how it turned out in the instant pot