15 Easy Crockpot Pulled Chicken Recipes Your Family Will Love -

There’s just something about a crockpot meal that makes life feel a little more manageable, especially on those busy weekdays when everything is happening at once. I’ve leaned on my slow cooker more times than I can count. Between school drop-offs, soccer practice, errands, and still needing to get dinner on the table, it’s been a real lifesaver. That’s where pulled chicken comes in. It’s super versatile, budget-friendly, and pretty much a guaranteed win with my crew.

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Over the years, I’ve played around with all kinds of flavors and shortcuts to keep things interesting. Whether we’re going for tangy BBQ, something spicy, or a little sweet and savory, pulled chicken in the crockpot never seems to disappoint. It’s one of those meals that stretches a single bag of chicken into several different dinners, which honestly feels like a mini victory when you’re trying to make the most of your grocery budget.

So I rounded up 15 of my favorites to share with you. These are simple, comforting, no-fuss recipes that work for busy families like ours. A few of these are great for meal prep too, and leftovers? Don’t even get me started, they reheat like a dream. I hope these ideas help bring a little ease (and flavor!) to your weekly routine.

1. Crockpot Cherry Cola Pulled Chicken

If you’ve never tried pulled chicken made with cherry cola, you are seriously in for a treat. The soda gives the chicken this sweet, tangy flavor that’s just a little bit different but still totally family-friendly. I love tossing everything into the slow cooker in the morning and coming home to a meal that feels a little special without any extra work. Serve it on buns, over rice, or even in a wrap if you wanna switch things up.

You can read more about this recipe and get a printable recipe card here.

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 cup honey bbq sauce
1 cup cherry cola
2 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice

Instructions:

Place your chicken into the bottom of your slow cooker.
Sprinkle the garlic salt, onion powder and paprika all over the chicken.
In a small bowl whisk together the bbq sauce, cherry cola and cherry juice.
Pour over the chicken breasts.
Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours.
Remove half of the cooking liquid from the slow cooker.
Shred the chicken with 2 forks.
Pile on buns and serve!

2. Crockpot Honey Garlic Pulled Chicken

Honey garlic is one of those classic combos that never goes out of style, and it’s even better when you let it simmer all day in the crockpot. This pulled chicken comes out tender, juicy, and packed with that sweet and savory flavor everybody seems to love. It’s super easy too, just a handful of ingredients you probably already have in the pantry. Perfect for busy nights when you just need dinner to be easy and good.

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup soy sauce
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

Add chicken to crockpot.
Mix honey, soy sauce, garlic, ketchup, vinegar, and pepper.
Pour over chicken.
Cook on low 6 hours or high 3 hours.
Shred chicken and stir into sauce.

3. Crockpot Buffalo Pulled Chicken

If your family loves a little kick, this Crockpot Buffalo Pulled Chicken is gonna be a big hit. It’s spicy, saucy, and so easy to throw together with just a few ingredients. I usually keep the spice level pretty mild so everyone can enjoy it, but you can always add extra sauce if you like it hotter. We love piling it onto rolls, topping it with a little ranch or blue cheese, and calling it dinner.

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup buffalo wing sauce
2 tbsp butter
1 packet ranch seasoning mix

Instructions:

Place chicken in crockpot.
Sprinkle with ranch seasoning.
Pour buffalo sauce over chicken and dot with butter.
Cook on low 6 hours or high 3 hours.
Shred and mix with sauce.

4. Crockpot BBQ Pulled Chicken

You just can’t beat a good BBQ pulled chicken, especially when it’s this easy. A bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce, a few simple seasonings, and the crockpot does the rest. The chicken turns out so tender and flavorful, perfect for sandwiches, sliders, or even loaded baked potatoes. This one’s a regular in our house because everybody always asks for seconds.

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 1/2 cups barbecue sauce
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 onion, sliced
1 tsp smoked paprika

Instructions:

Add chicken and onion to crockpot.
Pour barbecue sauce and broth over top.
Sprinkle with smoked paprika.
Cook on low 6 hours or high 3 hours.
Shred and stir to combine.

5. Crockpot Salsa Verde Pulled Chicken

This Crockpot Salsa Verde Pulled Chicken is one of my favorites when we’re craving something a little zesty and fresh. The salsa verde gives it just the right amount of tang without being too spicy, so it’s super kid-friendly too. I love serving it in tacos, burrito bowls, or even just over some rice with a sprinkle of cheese. So simple but so good.

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cups salsa verde
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Instructions:

Place chicken in crockpot.
Pour salsa verde over chicken, sprinkle with cumin, salt, and pepper.
Cook on low 6 hours or high 3 hours.
Shred chicken and mix with sauce.

6. Crockpot Teriyaki Pulled Chicken

If you’re in the mood for something a little sweet and savory, this Crockpot Teriyaki Pulled Chicken is perfect. The sauce soaks right into the chicken as it cooks, making it super flavorful and tender. We love serving it over rice with some steamed veggies on the side for an easy dinner that feels a little more put together, even on the busiest nights.

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3/4 cup teriyaki sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced

Instructions:

Add chicken to crockpot.
Mix teriyaki sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger.
Pour over chicken.
Cook on low 6 hours or high 3 hours.
Shred and toss with sauce.

7. Crockpot Chipotle Pulled Chicken

This Crockpot Chipotle Pulled Chicken is packed with smoky, spicy flavor that’s perfect when you want something a little different. The chipotle peppers give it just the right amount of heat without going overboard, so it’s still family-friendly. We love using it for tacos, nachos, or even just piling it onto a big salad when we’re trying to keep things a little lighter.

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 can (7 oz) chipotle peppers in adobo, chopped
1 cup tomato sauce
1 onion, chopped
1 tsp cumin

Instructions:

Place chicken and onion in crockpot.
Add chipotle peppers, tomato sauce, and cumin.
Stir to combine.
Cook on low 6-7 hours or high 3-4 hours.
Shred and mix well.

8. Crockpot Pineapple Pulled Chicken

If you love a little sweet with your savory, you’ve gotta try this Crockpot Pineapple Pulled Chicken. The pineapple adds such a fun pop of flavor and keeps the chicken super juicy while it cooks. It’s a great one for sandwiches, rice bowls, or even just by itself with a side of veggies. My kids especially love this one because it’s just a little bit tropical and a whole lot delicious.

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks, undrained
1 cup barbecue sauce
1 red bell pepper, sliced

Instructions:

Add chicken and bell pepper to crockpot.
Pour pineapple (with juice) and barbecue sauce over.
Cook on low 6 hours or high 3 hours.
Shred chicken and mix with sauce.

9. Crockpot Greek Pulled Chicken

This Crockpot Greek Pulled Chicken is such a fresh and easy twist on pulled chicken. It’s full of garlic, lemon, and a little bit of oregano, and it turns out so juicy and flavorful. We love stuffing it into pitas with a little tzatziki and veggies, but it’s just as good over a simple salad too. It feels a little lighter but still really filling, which is always a win.

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1/4 cup olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp dried oregano
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

Whisk yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Place chicken in crockpot and pour mixture over.
Cook on low 6 hours or high 3 hours.
Shred and mix well.

10. Crockpot Maple Dijon Pulled Chicken

If you’re looking for something a little sweet, a little tangy, this Crockpot Maple Dijon Pulled Chicken is perfect. The maple syrup and Dijon mustard blend together into the most delicious sauce while the chicken gets nice and tender. It’s a cozy kind of flavor that’s great for sandwiches, wraps, or even just on its own with some roasted veggies on the side.

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/3 cup Dijon mustard
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tsp garlic powder

Instructions:

Mix mustard, maple syrup, vinegar, and garlic powder.
Place chicken in crockpot and pour sauce over.
Cook on low 6 hours or high 3 hours.
Shred and stir into sauce.

11. Crockpot Balsamic Pulled Chicken

This Crockpot Balsamic Pulled Chicken is packed with rich, tangy flavor and couldn’t be easier to make. The balsamic vinegar gives it a little bit of sweetness and a lot of depth, and it makes the chicken super juicy and tender. We love serving it over mashed potatoes, rice, or even tucked into a sandwich with a little melty cheese on top. So simple but so good.

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup tomato sauce
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp salt

Instructions:

Add chicken to crockpot.
Mix balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, tomato sauce, seasoning, and salt.
Pour over chicken.
Cook on low 6 hours or high 3 hours.
Shred and stir.

12. Crockpot Cajun Pulled Chicken

If your family likes bold flavors, this Crockpot Cajun Pulled Chicken is a must-try. It’s full of smoky, slightly spicy seasoning that makes every bite super flavorful without being too overpowering. I love using it for sandwiches, rice bowls, or even just with some roasted veggies for a simple dinner. Plus, it’s one of those meals that tastes even better the next day.

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
1 cup chicken broth
1 green bell pepper, sliced
1 onion, sliced

Instructions:

Place chicken, peppers, and onions in crockpot.
Sprinkle with Cajun seasoning and pour broth over.
Cook on low 6 hours or high 3 hours.
Shred and mix.

13. Crockpot Curry Pulled Chicken

This Crockpot Curry Pulled Chicken is such a fun way to mix things up when you’re craving something a little different. The warm spices and creamy sauce make the chicken so tender and flavorful, and it smells amazing while it’s cooking. We usually serve it over rice or with some naan on the side, and it always disappears fast around here.

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
2 tbsp curry powder
1 onion, diced
1 tsp salt

Instructions:

Add chicken and onion to crockpot.
Mix coconut milk, curry powder, and salt.
Pour over chicken.
Cook on low 6 hours or high 3 hours.
Shred and stir.

14. Crockpot Italian Pulled Chicken

This Crockpot Italian Pulled Chicken is a simple, hearty meal that’s packed with classic flavors like garlic, tomatoes, and Italian herbs. The chicken turns out so tender you can shred it with a fork, and it’s perfect for piling onto rolls, tossing with pasta, or serving over a bed of greens. It’s one of those easy meals that feels a little special without any extra effort.

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
1/2 cup Italian dressing
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Instructions:

Place chicken in crockpot.
Add tomatoes, dressing, seasoning, and garlic powder.
Cook on low 6 hours or high 3 hours.
Shred and mix.

15. Crockpot Lemon Herb Pulled Chicken

This Crockpot Lemon Herb Pulled Chicken is so fresh and light, it’s perfect for when you want something a little different from the usual heavier dishes. The lemon gives it a nice bright flavor, and the herbs make it feel really comforting too. We love using it for wraps, salads, or even just on its own with some roasted potatoes. Super easy and so tasty.

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Juice and zest of 2 lemons
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 tbsp dried thyme
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Instructions:

Whisk lemon juice, zest, oil, parsley, thyme, salt, and pepper.
Place chicken in crockpot and pour sauce over.
Cook on low 6 hours or high 3 hours.
Shred and mix.

I hope you found a few new favorites to try from this list of easy Crockpot pulled chicken recipes! Whether you’re craving something sweet, spicy, or savory, there’s really something here for every kind of mood (and every kind of picky eater too). Pulled chicken has been such a lifesaver for us on busy nights, and it’s always nice knowing you’ve got a meal waiting for you at the end of a long day. Let me know which one you’re excited to make first — I’d love to hear!