Crockpot BBQ Beer Chicken.
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.
496 Comments on “Crockpot BBQ Beer Chicken.”
Ok, so I am a nerd and need to know what type of BBq sauce you used? I know you mentioned the brand but I am wondering was it a “sweet” sauce or more tangy? I have such a sweet tooth, I only have sweet sauces in my fridge. This http://www.sonnysbbqstore.com/cgi-php/store.php?search=yes&detail=yes&subcat=3&catname=Bar-B-Q Sauce&item_no=SONSBBQFS is what I LOVE and use. If you haven’t tried it, mmm you must!
Hmm, bone suckin’ sauce is in a league of it’s own… I honestly think it is sweet with a big of tang. Kind of both!
I read recipe and immediately made it! Can’t wait til it’s done! I used some N/A beer cuz I want to drink my Blue Moon! :)
Terry
All the questions about type of beer and type of sauce have been answered, but this PITTSBURGH girl wants to know what type of BUN is that…and which store did it come from??? I love puffy, fluffy, and fat buns!!
Just want to say thank you! I can’t wait to try it..oh & my appliances can totally relate!
I just did my first crockpot-chicken experiment a few weeks ago (it was used in enchiladas!) and it was AMAZING. Yours looks truly stellar. Replacing water with beer? I like the way you think.
We LOVED this BBQ chicken! My picky 3 year old had 3 helpings. My husband that does not care for BBQ chicken – told me I can definitely make it again. Thank you!
I made this for dinner today. It was pretty good but I think I should have used a different beer than PBR. :) That is what we had leftover from a bbq. I think I will make this again.
LOL PBR is awesome but I agree, perhaps not the best for this application! I really need to try this chicken :D
Delicious! While we don’t have the same crock pot – I suspect we have some of the same goo on it! Mine is about 30 years old and such a work horse. It won’t go to the crock-pot store in the sky so I can get the big, jazzy model that you can sauté in the pot and then stick it in the mechanical apparatus….dang it!
Made this for dinner tonight and was so easy and tasted amazing. I used the Hot version of the Bone Suckin BBQ sauce which had nice flavor. Also once on the bun I added a few drops of sirachi chili sauce for some heat and the combo was fabulous. The boyfriend demanded this recipe be made on a weekly basis.
Thanks for sharing it! :)
Jessica- I wanted to let you know that I made this yesterday and it was absolutely delicious! It was so easy. It literally took less than 5 minutes to throw everything in the slow-cooker. I couldn’t believe how good it was! We like spice, so the next time I make it (and there will be many, many more next times) I am going to try the hot Bone Sucking Sauce or experiment with adding some cayenne or chipotles in with the chicken. That said, it was AMAZING! You are AMAZING! :-)
Yay! So glad you guys liked it Kim! :)
Thanks, this will be an easy and tasty chicken recipe for football Sunday’s!!
I want all of your homepage specials–now! Yum…
PS–Saw this and thought of you: http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/the-chew/recipes/Michael-Symon-Grilled-Bacon-Chocolate-Hazelnut-Sandwich?cid=facebook_chew
Once again you deliver an awesome recipe that my kids devoured! This was so easy to put together and it was delicious! I used Sweet Baby Ray’s Honey BBQ and just added some more beer and it came out perfect.
Made this tonight! DELICIOUS!!!!! I added some chili powder for some kick!
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Well with a review like that, I think I’d better save this recipe for future use!
I just turned on my crockpot to make this – can’t wait! Looks amazing!
This is about to get started having a party in my crock pot. Can’t wait to try it!
JUST put this in the crock pot. I am not too much of a sweet person, so I used Stubbs Sauce and since it’s October, I used Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale. Let’s see how it turns out? I have an Apricot BBQ sauce I bought at the farmer’s market a while back too that I’m going to use tomorrow. I think it will pair nicely with the pumpkin beer. I have a human garbage disposal at home, so making a ton of food ahead of time is always good in my home. Thanks for the recipe! Can’t wait for the chicken to be ready and to use all sorts of different beers and sauces, including yours! :)
Oh, and my appliances are gross too. Even with fairly regular cleaning. :/
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I have this in the crockpot as I type. I cut the recipe in half, so I don’t think it’s going to need the whole 8 hours. The chicken was already falling apart at 5 hours. I used good ole Bud Light, so we’ll see what happens!
Awesome – let me know! :)
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I made this Saturday night and it was amazing! I used chicken stock instead of beer and it was so good! It taste even better left over too!
Made your sweet potato and honey rolls sandwiched size on Saturday to go along with this chicken – AMAZING. both recipes definitely keepers! the only beer we had in the fridge was a raspberry wheat – which ended up complimenting the bbq sauce perfectly! thanks so much!
I love cooking with beer!! That sandwich looks flavourful and mouthwatering.
P.S. Glad to hear that you are going to Foodbuzz!!!! See you there!!!!
I’m a longtime lurker and just wanted to pop in to say that every time I try one of your recipes it’s a hit in my house (your buffalo chicken pasta is the current frontrunner around here). I made this for dinner tonight and it was SO GOOD! We often have bbq chicken in the crockpot but it was always a matter of dumping in the chicken with some bottled bbq sauce and calling it a day. Between the added seasonings and the beer, this chicken was just so moist and delicious. For the record, I used Blue Moon White Ale and Sticky Fingers BBQ sauce. Aaaaand we have a pumpkin chocolate chip cookie pie cooling as we speak. Doesn’t get any better than that! Thanks for the wonderful recipes!
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ha I don’t like beer at all but I can’t get enough of beer pretzel dip, beer bread, etc…so I know I’d be all over this! Can’t wait to make it for a football party one of these weekends! (Although I’m also intrigued to try a version with ginger beer!)
My husband claims he hates everything about beer. I made this and after he finished raving over it and he had his second helping, I told him about the beer! He claimed he could taste the beer on his second serving. My eyes just rolled!
Hi, this looks delicious. Could you please tell exactly which Beer you used in the recipe. I don’t know much about beer and when I go to the liquor store it would be easier if I had a name, thanks:)
I used an amber ale – I would just ask them for an amber ale when you go. :)
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Thanks:)
That looks fantastic! BBQ sauce, beer and chicken, can it be better? :-)
Made it. Loved it! Having it for dinner again tonight. Sooooo easy!
is it me or are you on a crockpot and beer kick? Cuz I love it. Keep it coming!
I made this chicken and it was so good! I froze some containers of it, that were left over. How would you suggest reheating them? In a pot on the stove?
Just made this today, and…wow! I used Sam Adams Octoberfest, and a Carolina-style bbq sauce (couldn’t find Bone Suckin’ Sauce). Love the fact that it makes enough to freeze!
Wonderful!
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i am thinking about making this tomorrow but am going to cut it in half…should i decrease the cooking time? Thanks!
Mmmmm, I love using beer with slow cooking/braising as well. Usually I’ll browse the “fancy” beer selection at Whole Foods for a flavored beer. I recently paired beef with an espresso porter – very delicious. I saw a pumpkin beer somewhere (TJs maybe?). I’m thinking that might go well with the chicken.
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I made this earlier this week for my boyfriend and I and we loved it! His words, “This is a flavor explosion!” I used some leftovers in a quesadilla and wowzers, with some cheddar and brown rice between a tortilla, YUM!
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YES. Crock pot chicken is incredible and this looks WONDERFUL. Definitely adding it to my “must try” list!
:)
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This may be a dumb question but can I throw in frozen chicken breast?
Ideally you want the chicken to be thawed. Maybe thaw it overnight in the fridge, then throw it in? If it’s frozen it may release a lot of water and not yield the same result.
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