If you’re craving a delicious, hassle-free meal, Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken is an ideal choice. With minimal effort, you can create a flavorful dish that combines tender chicken with the smoky, sweet taste of Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce. This recipe is the perfect weeknight dinner, and its simplicity makes it an excellent choice for meal prep.

Contents hide

1 Why Choose Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce?

2 The Basics of Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken

2.1 Key Ingredients

3 How to Make Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken

3.1 Step 1: Prepare the Chicken and Sauce

3.2 Step 2: Cooking the Chicken

3.3 Step 3: Serving Suggestions

4 Variations and Customizations

5 Storing and Reheating Leftovers

6 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

7 Conclusion

8 Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken

8.6 Did you make this recipe?

Why Choose Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce?

When it comes to BBQ sauces, Sweet Baby Ray’s is a household name. The sauce is known for its sweet, tangy, and smoky flavor profile, making it a go-to for BBQ lovers. Whether you’re using it for ribs, pulled pork, or chicken, this BBQ sauce never disappoints. It’s the star ingredient in this crockpot recipe, ensuring that each bite is bursting with rich flavor.

For more information about Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce, including its history and unique flavors, check out their official website.

The Basics of Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken

This recipe is a set-it-and-forget-it kind of meal, making it ideal for those busy days when you need dinner ready without a lot of effort. Here’s everything you need to know before you start cooking:

Key Ingredients

Chicken: The best choice for this recipe is boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. Both options will yield tender, juicy meat that shreds easily. You can even use frozen chicken; however, be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce: This is the key ingredient, adding that sweet, smoky flavor that makes the dish irresistible.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Just a splash of vinegar adds a nice tang that balances the sweetness of the BBQ sauce.
Brown Sugar: Enhances the richness of the sauce, giving the chicken a perfect caramelized glaze.
Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Smoked Paprika, Red Pepper Flakes: These seasonings add depth and complexity, ensuring your chicken is flavorful with every bite.

For those interested in exploring more slow cooker recipes like this one, check out The Magical Slow Cooker. It’s a fantastic resource for discovering new and exciting dishes you can make using your slow cooker.

How to Make Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken

Making Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken is simple and requires only a few steps. Here’s how to prepare it:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken and Sauce

Start by placing your chicken in the bottom of the crockpot. Whether you’re using frozen chicken or thawed chicken, the process remains the same. If you’re using frozen chicken, expect a slightly longer cooking time.
In a separate bowl, combine the Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and seasonings. Stir until well mixed.
Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken. Make sure the chicken is fully coated in the sauce.

Step 2: Cooking the Chicken

Set your crockpot to low and cook for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. You’ll know the chicken is done when it’s fully cooked and shreds easily with two forks.
Once the chicken is cooked, shred it directly in the crockpot, allowing it to absorb all the flavors of the sauce. The sauce will thicken as the chicken cooks, making it the perfect consistency for serving.

If you’re looking for additional slow cooker tips or other tasty slow-cooker recipes, head over to The Magical Slow Cooker, where you can find a variety of recipes to suit any palate.

Step 3: Serving Suggestions

Once your Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken is ready, there are numerous ways to serve it. Here are a few serving ideas:

Sandwiches: Serve the shredded chicken on a bun, topped with a little extra BBQ sauce, coleslaw, or pickles for a traditional BBQ sandwich.
Wraps: Wrap the chicken in a tortilla, add some greens, and your favorite toppings like sliced onions or tomatoes, and enjoy a delicious BBQ wrap.
Over Rice: For a complete meal, serve the shredded chicken over a bed of rice, drizzling the sauce from the crockpot over the top for extra flavor.
Salads: Add a scoop of shredded chicken to a salad for a hearty, protein-packed meal.

For a variety of side dishes that pair perfectly with BBQ chicken, check out Food Network’s guide to BBQ chicken sides. You’ll find everything from classic coleslaw to roasted vegetables.

Variations and Customizations

One of the great things about Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken is its flexibility. You can easily adapt the recipe to suit your personal preferences or dietary needs. Here are some fun variations you can try:

Add Vegetables: For a complete meal in one pot, add some chopped potatoes, carrots, or bell peppers to the crockpot. These vegetables will absorb the flavors of the BBQ sauce and make for a hearty dish.
Add Bacon: Crumbled bacon adds a smoky, savory crunch to the dish. Simply cook the bacon separately and stir it into the shredded chicken after it’s done cooking.
Spice it Up: If you prefer a bit of heat, try adding chopped jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce. The spiciness will balance out the sweetness of the BBQ sauce for a kick of flavor.
Make it Sweet and Smoky: You can increase the smoked paprika for a more intense smoky flavor or add some honey for extra sweetness.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, storing and reheating the chicken is easy:

Storage: Keep the leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If you want to store it longer, freeze it for up to 3 months.
Reheating: To reheat, place the chicken back into the crockpot on low for 1-2 hours, or microwave it in short intervals, stirring in between. If you find that the chicken has dried out a bit, add a little more BBQ sauce to rehydrate it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use frozen chicken breasts?

Yes! You can use frozen chicken breasts or thighs for this recipe. Just be sure to increase the cooking time to 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high. Always check that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

How can I make this recipe low-carb?

To make this dish low-carb, skip the brown sugar and opt for a sugar-free BBQ sauce. For a lower-carb option, serve the chicken in a lettuce wrap instead of on a bun or rice.

Can I prepare this as a freezer meal?

Absolutely! This recipe works great as a freezer meal. Simply combine the chicken and sauce ingredients in a freezer-safe bag, and freeze. When you’re ready to cook, thaw it overnight in the fridge, and then follow the usual cooking instructions.

What sides pair well with BBQ chicken?

Some fantastic sides for Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken include mashed potatoes, cornbread, coleslaw, and roasted vegetables. You can also check out Food Network’s BBQ chicken sides for more inspiration.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken is a must-try recipe for anyone who loves BBQ flavors but doesn’t want to spend all day in the kitchen. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal preparation, you can have a delicious, mouthwatering dish ready to enjoy. Whether you’re serving it as sandwiches, wraps, or over rice, this recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken

Author: iyma hernandes
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Tender shredded chicken coated in BBQ sauce, served with rice and coleslaw for a comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 bottle (18 oz) Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce
1/4 cup vinegar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

Place chicken breasts in the crockpot.
In a bowl, mix BBQ sauce, vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.
Pour the mixture over the chicken.
Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until chicken is tender and easily shredded.
Shred the chicken using two forks and mix well with the sauce.
Serve warm over rice with coleslaw on the side.