This crock pot barbecue chicken sandwich is the the absolute best! It is so simple to make and with the homemade BBQ sauce, the flavor is very satisfying.

Crock Pot Shredded Chicken Sandwiches

Sometimes referred to as pulled BBQ chicken sandwiches, this crock pot recipe is hard to beat! If you need a simple recipe that will satisfy, this recipe is for you.

If you need to feed a crowd, simply double the recipe and you are ready to serve up a delicious meal with minimal work on your part!

Gluten Free Barbecue Chicken

This recipe works really well if you are in need of a meal for somebody with gluten sensitivities.

While I typically serve this crock pot barbecue chicken on a bun, it can hold its own without a bun. And with the homemade BBQ sauce, you do not have to worry about accidentally serving a sauce that may contain gluten. You never know what is lurking in those bottles of BBQ sauce.

If you carefully plan your sides (see suggestions below), you can make a delicious and complete meal for somebody who is not able to eat gluten.

Homemade BBQ Sauce

What are the benefits of making a homemade BBQ sauce? There are two reasons I prefer to make my own BBQ sauce. The first is that it allows me to control the ingredients that go into the sauce.

Not only do a lot of BBQ sauces have a lot of unnecessary ingredients, most of them also have far too much sugar in them. I like to make a BBQ sauce that is a little sweet, but really allows the rest of the flavors to shine through.

Also, you will not find ketchup in my BBQ sauce! Just like with my Sloppy Joes recipe, I despise tomato based sauces that use ketchup. I would much rather use real tomato sauce with a proper balance of other ingredients to make a delightful sauce. I will save the ketchup for my french fries!

The second reason is cost. While there are BBQ sauces out there that have clean ingredients, they are pretty expensive. Making the BBQ sauce from scratch is definitely more cost effective than store bought BBQ sauce.

When making BBQ sauce from scratch, you typically have to cook over the stove before serving. The beauty of this crock pot barbecue chicken recipe is that since the BBQ sauce simmers for several hours in the crock pot with the chicken, there is no need to precook the BBQ sauce. All of the flavors meld in together as it cooks with the chicken.

What to Serve with Crock Pot Barbecue Chicken

Are you wondering what to serve with your crock pot barbecue chicken? Corn makes a great side. You could either serve up corn on the cob, or make my scrumptious creamed corn recipe.

Coleslaw and mashed potatoes (Click here for my Instant Pot Farmhouse Style Mashed Potatoes) would also make great side dishes.

All of those options are gluten free, so if you need a complete gluten free meal, you are set with this slow cooker barbecue chicken and these side dishes!

Crock Pot Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches Recipe

Ingredients:

2 lbs chicken breasts

15 oz tomato sauce

6 oz tomato paste

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

1/4 blackstrap molasses

4 tbsp sucanat (or sugar of choice)

2 tsp mustard powder

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

hamburger buns

Method:

Place the tomato sauce, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, blackstrap molasses, sucanat, mustard powder, onion powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper into a medium sized bowl. Whisk together to incorporate ingredients.

Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the crock pot.

Pour the BBQ over the chicken breasts. Place lid on crock pot.

Cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 6-7 hours.

Once the chicken is finished cooking, use two forks to shred the chicken. Stir to evenly coat with BBQ sauce.

Serve on hamburger buns.

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