Crockpot BBQ Beer Chicken.

October 5, 2011 · 351 comments

 What is up with beer and me lately?

I can’t get enough of the stuff.

If I’m telling the truth, I really enjoy cooking with beer much more than I like drinking it. I do like to drink it on occasion, but it’s not always my beverage of choice. However, when it comes to cooking with it?

Best

flavor

ever.

Basically, I love replacing water with alcohol. Always and forever.

And now… a peek into what a mess my kitchen appliances really are.

You don’t even want to see my stand mixer. Or my toaster. Or my food processor. Or my fridge. Or my… everything. I’m a train wreck.

Look at that bun. (Or bum, since that’s what I really just typed.) Don’t you want to do a big trampoline jump on it? So puffy and fluffy and fat.

I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that this is the best chicken I have ever made in the crockpot. It might be the best chicken I’ve made, period. And… I make a ton of crockpot chicken. Like really, a ton.

People… I live with a man who seriously eats chicken at least five days a week for lunch and dinner. Sometimes I get insanely creative, but most weeks he gets the short end of the stick when I throw chicken in the slow cooker with, uh… nothing else, just so I don’t have to deal with making him something delicious only to stuff it in five giant tupperware containers. Maybe I do wish you could see my fridge.

 

So, I’m convinced it’s a combination of the perfect marriage between beer, spices (I freakishly love onion powder and smoked paprika together… give it a whirl) and sauce (Bone Suckin‘ is the best) that makes this so amazing. It’s a great meal for a crowd but if you’re smart, you’ll make a big crock for yourself and freeze a bunch for the days when wine drinking and pie eating takes precedence over dinner.

Or is that just me?

Crockpot BBQ Beer Chicken

serves about 8-10

3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 large)

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 tablespoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

8 ounces of beer (I used a classic amber)

32 ounces of barbecue sauce

Season chicken with onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Add to crockpot, then add beer and 24 ounces of barbecue sauce. Cook on low for 8 hours, tossing once or twice if desired. After 8 hours, shred and add remaining barbecue sauce. Toss chicken to coat and let sit for 10-15 minutes before serving to absorb everything. Serve as desired.

Notes:

1. I’ve found that *thinner* barbecue sauce works better (such as Bone Suckin’ Sauce) than thicker sauce (like Sweet Baby Ray’s). If you choose to use a thicker sauce, you may want to add a little more beer (or liquid) in order for the sauce not to burn and thicken on the edges of the pot. This is also the reason I don’t use my homemade barbecue sauce.

2. If you don’t want to use beer, you can try a ginger ale, chicken stock, or even water.

3. This makes a ton of chicken and I usually freeze immediately freeze a container for later.

I wish I was sandwiched between those buns.

{ 299 comments… read them below or add one }

Danielle February 6, 2012 at 3:12 pm

I also made this yesterday it was AMAZING!! I did use Sweet Baby Rays because it was on sale haha!! But I also put the chicken in frozen and knew the juices would help with the thickness of the sauce and I had it on for about 8 hours and then on warm for another hour. I also made your Beer Mac and Cheese AND the Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie!!!! Everyone asked where I got my recipes… I always say my FAVORITE blog How Sweet It Is!!! Thank you soooo much for the amazing recipes I am making the Spicy Parmesan Shrimp this evening also does that Reheat well or should I cut it in half becaue I am making it just for one :o )

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Jessica February 6, 2012 at 4:47 pm

It reheats really well! We ate it 2 nights in a row.

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Danielle February 6, 2012 at 5:46 pm

YES!!! Then I shall as well!!!!

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Kate February 8, 2012 at 4:11 pm

Making this now! Looks delist! But it’s 230….and I was thinking I could cook on high for half the time. Can I do it in four hours on high? Or do I make it for tomorrow’s dinner…. And follow the 8 hour on low

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Jessica February 8, 2012 at 4:15 pm

Yep you can do that! I’ve done it before too.

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Paula Giles February 9, 2012 at 8:20 pm

Made this yesterday for dinner last night. Sooo delicious. Loved it and the family loved it too! Reheated for dinner tonight and it tasted just as good! :)

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Kelley February 13, 2012 at 5:20 pm

Just made this for dinner tonight. I just taste tested it and it is awesome. I had my 6 year old taste it and he is on round 2 already! Thank you so much!

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Jake February 14, 2012 at 10:25 am

If i cut the portions in half, will it still work just the same?

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Jessica February 14, 2012 at 12:00 pm

Most likely, yes,

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Elise February 16, 2012 at 1:05 am

Awesome idea, I’m going to make this over the weekend! I wanted to make something simple for sandwiches… got chicken and bbq sauce… now I will know to just add beer! So smart! My boyfriend will LOVE this. I think I might also throw some onions on the bottom as well, get those cooking in the beer for extra flavor.

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Lauren February 17, 2012 at 12:47 pm

I made this and IT. WAS. SO. GOOD!!! I used Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Also, I didn’t quite have 32 oz of BBQ, so I mixed what I had with worchestshire, ketchup, and Franks Hot BBQ sauce. Pretty dang good. I will make it with 1 kind of BBQ next time. It’s easier :) Thank you for posting this. It’s now made regularly in our kitchen.

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Michele February 17, 2012 at 4:16 pm

Should there be a lot of liquid remaining? Mine has been cooking for 7 hours and there is a lot of liquid in the crockpot. I did add 3 more ounces of beer since i was using a thicker bbq sauce. There still semms to be alot, even if I hadn’t. Hoping it gets absorbed after shredding.

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Anell February 17, 2012 at 4:20 pm

This looks and sounds so delicious. Will be making this tomorrow !! A great meal for the lakehouse….the family will love it. I will also be checking out all your other recipes. So glad I found your site on Pinterest.

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Courtney February 19, 2012 at 2:47 pm

I am making this tonight and have made it before, but to change up the flavor we added a packet of dried onion soup. It smells amazing.

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sarah hammer February 19, 2012 at 5:26 pm

do you have to cook it for 8 hour? could you do it for 6?

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Sweet Marcella February 20, 2012 at 9:41 am

I just want you to know this is my go to busy meal! I just throw it in before work. My fiance gets so excited about it….he doesn’t realize how easy it is for me! Thank you!

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Kimmi Rea February 22, 2012 at 5:02 pm

What is the best way/container to freeze left over meat? Do you just set it in the fridge when ready to unthaw and eat again?

THANKS!

Love- Kimmi

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Jennica February 23, 2012 at 9:04 pm

Is 8oz of beer enough? It seems a little low, but I’m not sure. How much liquid should be in the crockpot before turning it on?

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Samantha March 2, 2012 at 10:44 am

I made this yesterday and it was de.li.cious.! Thank you so much. I’ve added it to my recipe stash to make again & again.

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Kristen @ notsodomesticated March 2, 2012 at 8:33 pm

I made this tonight, and it was delicious! It was a little messy because the meat had a lot of liquid in it, but the flavors were awesome! Thanks, Jessica! :)

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Terri March 19, 2012 at 2:01 pm

What could you substitute for the beer?

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rose March 26, 2012 at 3:41 pm

Hi, this looks amazing and we make a lot of chicken, the man’s all about chicken, Anyway, is there any way to make this without a slow cooker/crockpot?? Sorry if this is an obvious YES/NO question.. I’ve always wanted to make “pulled” chicken like this and I’ve never known if possible because I don’t have a slow cooker. Also we both love beer Obviously… so this must be delicious :)

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Heather March 28, 2012 at 1:00 am

I am making pulled chicken for my son’s second birthday party and I am using this recipe. Can’t wait to try it. Looks awesome. Also, I feel you on the appliances not being the cleanest, but I mean, come on! Am I supposed to clean them EVERY TIME I use them?? What? The answer is yes..huh. Never thought of that.

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Tricia Maniaci April 4, 2012 at 11:35 am

I have found my Easter Sunday main course!!!! Thank you! And your commentary gave me a delightful giggle!

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Drew April 10, 2012 at 4:46 pm

This also works really well in a pressure cooker. I saw the recipe at 4pm and decided that I wanted to eat it right then, not 8 hours later or a day later. I threw everything into my (electric) pressure cooker with frozen chicken breasts, cooked at high pressure for about 40 mins and everything was great.

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Jen April 13, 2012 at 11:14 am

I’m am so trying this! There is nothing I love more than a slow cooker chicken recipe. Keep sharing your wonderful recipes :)

I nominated your blog for the Versatile Blogger Award. Check it out: http://becomingpigzilla.com/2012/04/13/the-versitile-blogger-award/

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Jessica April 13, 2012 at 11:16 am

Thank you so much!

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Jenny K. April 27, 2012 at 11:12 am

Saw this recipe on Pinterest. Just put everything into the crock. Looks so good!!! Thank you for sharing.

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rachael April 27, 2012 at 12:42 pm

this…looks…divine!!!

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angel April 28, 2012 at 5:41 pm

Awesome recipe….super easy……great dinner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Stan Schubridge April 30, 2012 at 4:57 pm

Thanks for the information for my research. I’ll be sure to link back and mention the resource if I use any of it! Jess

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Danielle May 1, 2012 at 2:21 pm

Yum, this looks soooo good. I have to make it this weekend. I love that it makes enough to feed a crowd.

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Danny May 3, 2012 at 6:06 pm

I tried doubling the recipe and it seems very watery.

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Karen Scruggs May 6, 2012 at 3:09 pm

I made this yesterday – it is the best BBQ Crock pot chicken I have ever had! and I have tried a lot!
16 year old son loved it too which is a big test!
I used Sweet Baby Rays because it was on sale and also used Sierra Nevade Pale Ale.
This was the first recipe of yours of yours I have tried but I will definitely try more. Thanks!

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Danielle's Dish May 21, 2012 at 3:45 pm

I just made this over the weekend. It was splendid. I couldn’t find Bone Suckin’ bbq sauce and I looked at Wal-Mart & Kroger. SAD! It was super easy and tasted good. I used light yuengling.

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