Easy Sweet Baby Rays Crockpot Chicken Recipe for Busy Nights

Juicy, tender chicken simmering in sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce creates a mouthwatering meal that transforms dinner into a delightful experience.

This crockpot marvel delivers incredible flavor with minimal effort.

Busy home cooks adore how simple the recipe comes together.

The sauce caramelizes perfectly, coating each chicken piece with a rich, tangy glaze.

Tender meat falls apart effortlessly, promising a delectable main course everyone will love.

Serve this crowd-pleasing dish alongside crisp coleslaw or warm cornbread for a complete meal that satisfies deep hunger.

Prepare to be amazed by how effortlessly you can create restaurant-quality chicken at home.

What Makes BBQ Crockpot Chicken So Tasty

This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something tasty without spending hours in the kitchen.

• Easily adjust the sauce to match your taste preferences by playing with vinegar, red pepper flakes, or adding extra seasonings. The flexible recipe allows you to create a personalized BBQ chicken that suits your family's palate.
• Transform your chicken into multiple meals with simple serving suggestions. Enjoy it whole with side dishes, shred for sandwiches, stuff into tacos, or pile onto a salad for a protein-packed lunch option.
• Crockpot cooking ensures tender, juicy chicken every single time. Whether you're using fresh or frozen chicken, the slow-cooking process guarantees a delicious result with minimal chance of overcooking.

Ingredients for Sweet Baby Rays Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: Tender meat that absorbs the rich barbecue flavors and becomes incredibly soft during slow cooking.

• Sweet Baby Ray's Barbecue Sauce: Classic BBQ sauce that provides the primary flavor profile for the dish.
• Vinegar: Adds tanginess and helps tenderize the chicken.
• Brown Sugar: Introduces a sweet depth and helps caramelize the sauce.

• Red Pepper Flakes, Garlic Powder: Provide a warm, spicy kick and aromatic depth to the overall flavor of the dish.

Cooking BBQ Chicken in the Crockpot

Step 1: Mix Flavor-Packed Sauce

Combine Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce with vinegar, red pepper flakes, brown sugar, and garlic powder in a mixing bowl.

Whisk thoroughly until all ingredients blend seamlessly.

Taste and adjust seasonings for your perfect flavor profile – add extra vinegar for tanginess or more red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.

Step 2: Prepare Chicken Base

Place chicken breasts into the crockpot.

Fresh or frozen chicken works perfectly.

Spread pieces evenly across the bottom of the pot to ensure consistent cooking.

Step 3: Generously Coat Chicken

Pour sauce mixture over chicken, ensuring complete coverage.

Use a spoon to spread sauce into every crevice, guaranteeing maximum flavor absorption.

Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection

Set crockpot to low heat for 4-6 hours.

Frozen chicken requires closer to 6 hours, while fresh chicken cooks faster.

Chicken is ready when it becomes incredibly tender and easily pulls apart with minimal effort.

Step 5: Transform Chicken

Once cooked, choose your serving style.

• Serve whole chicken breasts alongside rice or vegetables
• Shred meat for tacos, sandwiches, or salads
• Use two forks to pull chicken apart effortlessly

Pro tip: The meat should fall apart with gentle pressure, indicating it’s perfectly cooked and infused with delicious barbecue flavors.

Pro Tips for Juicy BBQ Chicken

• Experiment with different barbecue sauce brands to find your perfect taste profile, adding depth and personalization to the dish.
• Cover the chicken completely with sauce and avoid overcooking to maintain moisture and tenderness throughout the meat.
• Adjust red pepper flakes or add hot sauce according to your heat preference, creating a customized spicy experience.
• Shredded chicken freezes wonderfully – store in portions for quick future meals like tacos, sandwiches, or salad toppings.
• If sauce seems too thin after cooking, remove chicken and simmer sauce on stovetop for 5-10 minutes to thicken and concentrate flavors.

Saving and Reheating BBQ Chicken

• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor.
• Transfer cooled chicken to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Stays good for up to 3 months. Label with date for easy tracking.
• Place chicken in microwave-safe dish. Sprinkle a few tablespoons of water or extra barbecue sauce to prevent drying. Cover with microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warm.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread chicken in baking dish. Add splash of chicken broth or sauce to maintain moisture. Cover with foil to prevent burning. Warm for 10-15 minutes until heated completely through.

Side Ideas for Sweet BBQ Chicken

• Pair with Tangy Coleslaw: Create a zesty, crunchy side that cuts through the rich barbecue sauce, balancing the chicken's sweetness with a crisp vinegar-based slaw.
• Complement with Cornbread Muffins: Bake golden, slightly sweet cornbread muffins that soak up the delicious barbecue sauce and provide a perfect textural contrast to the tender chicken.
• Match with Craft Beer Selection: Choose a hoppy IPA or amber ale that can stand up to the bold barbecue flavors, with enough bitterness to cleanse the palate between bites.
• Serve alongside Pickled Vegetables: Add a jar of quick-pickled cucumbers or jalapeños to introduce a bright, acidic element that enhances the dish's complex flavor profile.

BBQ Chicken Variations to Try

• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace Sweet Baby Ray's barbecue sauce with a certified gluten-free BBQ sauce. Choose certified gluten-free sauces from brands like Stubbs or Annie's to maintain the recipe's flavor profile.
• Keto-Friendly Version: Swap brown sugar with a low-carb sweetener like erythritol or monk fruit. Use a sugar-free BBQ sauce to reduce carbohydrate content while keeping the tangy, rich flavor.
• Spicy Jalapeño Kick: Add fresh chopped jalapeños or increase red pepper flakes for extra heat. Consider using chipotle peppers in adobo sauce to bring a smoky, spicy dimension to the chicken.
• Herb-Infused Variation: Incorporate fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or oregano into the sauce mixture. Chopped fresh herbs can elevate the flavor complexity and add a bright, aromatic element to the dish.

FAQs

• What type of barbecue sauce works best for this recipe?

Sweet Baby Ray’s is recommended, but any classic, slightly sweet barbecue sauce will work well. The key is choosing a sauce with rich flavor that complements the chicken.

• Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are often more tender and flavorful. Just adjust cooking time slightly, as thighs might cook faster than breasts. The same sauce and method apply.

• How spicy will this recipe be with red pepper flakes?

The recipe has a mild heat level. If you’re sensitive to spice, start with a small pinch of red pepper flakes. For spice lovers, you can increase the amount to suit your taste preference.

• Is this recipe good for meal prep?

Yes, this crockpot chicken is perfect for meal prep. It stays moist, reheats well, and can be used in multiple dishes like sandwiches, tacos, salads, or over rice. Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Sweet Baby Rays Crockpot Chicken Recipe

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4.9 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Slow-cooker Sweet Baby Ray’s Chicken emerges as a mouthwatering meal that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. Rich barbecue sauce coats tender chicken, creating a simple yet irresistible dinner you can savor without complicated preparation.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 4–6 chicken breasts

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 bottle Sweet Baby Rays barbecue sauce
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) vinegar
• 1/4 cup (50 grams) brown sugar

Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

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Instructions

1. Craft a vibrant barbecue sauce by whisking together Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce, vinegar, red pepper flakes, brown sugar, and garlic powder in a mixing bowl until thoroughly combined. Taste and adjust seasonings for optimal flavor profile.
2. Arrange chicken breasts in the crockpot, ensuring even spacing. Frozen or fresh chicken works equally well, with slight cooking time variations.
3. Generously drench chicken pieces with the prepared sauce, utilizing a spoon to guarantee complete and uniform coverage across each portion.
4. Program the crockpot to low temperature for 4-6 hours. Frozen chicken requires closer to 6 hours, while fresh chicken cooks more rapidly. The chicken reaches optimal doneness when it becomes exceptionally tender and easily separates.
5. Upon completion, decide between serving whole chicken breasts or transforming the meat into shredded protein. For shredding, employ two forks or tongs to effortlessly pull the chicken apart, creating delectable, sauce-infused strands perfect for various culinary applications like sandwiches or tacos.

Notes

• Opt for high-quality barbecue sauce to elevate the overall flavor profile of the dish.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes to suit personal spice preferences.
• Transform leftovers into versatile meal options like BBQ chicken salad, stuffed peppers, or loaded nachos.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours (on high) or 6 hours (on low)
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 2 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg