Slow Cooker Apple BBQ Chicken
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Published Sep 24, 2025
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Juicy, sweet and smoky apple BBQ chicken made easy in the slow cooker. With just 10 minutes of prep, it’s a weeknight lifesaver you can serve on its own, in sandwiches, grain bowls or stuffed into sweet potatoes.
It’s officially fall, and around here that means I’m all about cozy dinners that don’t take a ton of effort. This slow cooker apple BBQ chicken has become one of my go-to recipes because it’s hearty, flavorful and practically cooks itself.
The magic comes from fresh apples combined with chicken breasts, smoky BBQ sauce, onion and a few simple seasonings. As the chicken slow cooks, the apples break down and blend with the sauce, creating a sweet and savory flavor that’s hard to resist. The end result is tender, juicy shredded chicken with the perfect balance of tangy, smoky and slightly sweet notes.
By the time dinner rolls around, you’ve got a healthy, family-friendly meal on the table and a kitchen that smells absolutely amazing. Even better, my kids loved this one, which makes it a repeat recipe in our house.
Why I Love This Apple BBQ Chicken Recipe
I’ve made a lot of BBQ chicken recipes over the years, but this one has a special place in my fall lineup.
- So easy: Just 10 minutes of prep and the slow cooker does the rest.
- Serves a crowd: Makes a generous batch that’s great for family dinners, casual get-togethers or game day.
- Perfect for meal prep: Leftovers keep well and the flavor gets even better the next day, so lunches are already done.
- Versatile: Delicious on buns with coleslaw, on its own with roasted veggies, stuffed into sweet potatoes, layered over rice or tossed on a salad.
- Kid-approved: Even with the smoky BBQ flavor, the hint of sweetness makes it a hit with kids and adults. My two gobbled it up!
Ingredients Needed
This recipe keeps things simple but still packs in so much flavor. A few fresh picks and pantry staples come together for the most delicious BBQ chicken:
- chicken breasts – boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the base of this recipe. They cook down tender and shred perfectly into the sauce.
- apples – fresh apples are what make this recipe shine. As they cook down, they blend into the BBQ sauce, adding natural sweetness and depth of flavor. Honeycrisp or Fuji are great picks.
- BBQ sauce – use your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce (I used Trader Joe’s) or try my homemade BBQ sauce for a cleaner option with less sugar.
- apple cider vinegar – adds a touch of tang that balances the sweetness of the apples and BBQ sauce.
Find the full ingredient list with measurements in the recipe card below.
How to Make Slow Cooker Apple BBQ Chicken
Making this apple BBQ chicken couldn’t be easier. With just a few minutes of prep, the slow cooker does the rest:
Step 1: Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker. Add the chopped apples, onion, garlic, salt and pepper right on top.
Step 2: Pour the BBQ sauce and apple cider vinegar over everything. Give it a quick stir so the chicken is coated.
Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours. Shred the chicken with two forks.
Step 4: Allow the chicken to sit in the slow cooker for another 10–15 minutes to really absorb the flavors. Serve immediately or store in the fridge for later.
Brittany’s Tips for Success
These simple tips will make your slow cooker apple BBQ chicken foolproof:
- Cut apples into chunks: Thin slices break down too much and disappear into the sauce. Chunkier pieces hold their shape and give you that sweet bite in every forkful.
- Shred while warm: Shredding chicken is much easier while it’s still warm, so don’t wait until it cools.
- Use a meat chopper: My personal favorite way to shred my chicken is by using this handy dandy meat chopper! It’s a game changer!
- Want a thicker sauce? After shredding, leave the lid off and let it simmer on “warm” or “low” for 15–20 minutes. The extra liquid will cook down into a richer, stickier sauce.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Apple BBQ Chicken
This recipe is super versatile and pairs well with a variety of sides. Here are some of my favorite ways to serve it:
- With fries: Keep it classic with a side of baked sweet potato fries or air fryer french fries.
- As a sandwich: Load the chicken onto buns with my healthy vinegar coleslaw for crunch.
- Stuffed sweet potatoes: Add it to a baked sweet potato topped with an extra drizzle of BBQ sauce for the coziest fall meal.
- In a bowl: Serve it over rice or quinoa alongside roasted broccoli for a balanced dinner.
- In a salad: Toss a scoop of chicken on top of my kale salad with tahini dressing for a hearty lunch that’s full of flavor.
How to Store & Reheat
This slow cooker apple BBQ chicken keeps really well, which makes it perfect for meal prep.
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.
- Freezer: Let the chicken cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Meal prep tip: Portion the chicken into individual containers with rice, roasted veggies, or sweet potatoes for grab-and-go lunches all week.
More Slow Cooker Recipes to Try
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Slow Cooker Apple BBQ Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and chopped (Honeycrisp or Fuji work great)
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder, or 2 fresh cloves
- 1 teaspoon salt, to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, to taste
- 1 ½ cups BBQ sauce, homemade or store-bought
- 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Add chicken, apple, onion, garlic, salt and pepper to the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Pour the BBQ sauce and apple cider vinegar over everything. Give it a quick stir so the chicken is coated.
- Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender and shreds easily with a fork.
- Either shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker with two forks or remove it and shred it on a plate, then return the meat to the slow cooker. Stir well so it soaks up all that sweet and smoky sauce. Let it sit for 10–15 minutes to soak up more flavor.
- Enjoy on buns with slaw for sandwiches, over rice or quinoa, or with roasted veggies on the side.
Notes
- I love using way my meat chopper for shredding chicken!
- Storage: Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
- Make-ahead tip: This recipe is meal prep–friendly. Portion into containers with a grain and veggies for easy grab-and-go lunches.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
