This Crockpot BBQ chicken with Italian dressing is one of those dependable, minimal-effort meals that always delivers. It’s made with just three ingredients: chicken, BBQ sauce, and zesty Italian dressing. After a few hours in the Crockpot, the chicken is fall-apart tender and ready to pile onto buns for effortless sandwiches or party sliders.
Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or feeding a crowd, this recipe has you covered. It’s ideal for game day, potlucks, or any casual dinner where you want something hearty and satisfying without turning on the oven. We usually get at least eight sandwiches from a batch, and the leftovers are just as tasty the next day.
If you like this easy slow cooker chicken recipe, try my slow cooker honey mustard chicken or my slow cooker pesto ranch chicken.
Kelsey's Recipe Highlights
- Three ingredients: Just chicken, BBQ sauce, and Italian dressing.
- Hands-off cooking: Minimal prep with big flavor—just dump and let the slow cooker do its job.
- Perfect for parties: This makes plenty for sandwiches or sliders to feed a crowd.
Ingredients
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: I use about 3 pounds, or six breasts (one of the big trays). This is the base of the recipe and cooks down to tender shredded chicken.
- BBQ sauce: I like Kraft BBQ sauce for its sweet, smoky flavor and easy availability, but any style works. Pick your favorite!
- Zesty Italian dressing: Adds tangy flavor and seasoning. Zesty Italian is my go-to, but you can use whatever Italian dressing you prefer.
- Cornstarch: Thickener to slightly thicken the sauce before serving.
See the recipe card for quantities.
Equipment
I use a 6-quart Crock-Pot brand slow cooker. It might seem like a large slow cooker for two people, but I like to make enough food to have plenty of leftovers. You'll also want two forks to shred the chicken or a handy chicken shredder.
To Serve
We usually use zesty Italian BBQ chicken for sandwiches on hamburger buns, but it can be enjoyed on its own (try it alongside baked beans and cornbread) or on sliders. I took this to a Super Bowl party one year with a pack of King's Hawaiian rolls, and it was a hit.
If you need another recipe idea for a potluck, try my Pepperoni Pizza Dip or my Meatball Sliders.
Top Tip
Shred the chicken while it's warm. It’s easiest when the chicken is freshly cooked. With the Crockpot, you can use the Keep Warm setting to keep everything at the right temp. Also, you can shred chicken with a hand mixer, did you know that?
📖 Recipe
Crockpot BBQ Chicken with Italian Dressing
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts about 6 breasts
- 12 ounces BBQ sauce
- ½ cup zesty Italian dressing
- 1 tablespoon corn starch optional
Instructions
- Place chicken into the bottom of the slow cooker and pour sauces over top.
- Set to low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-6 hours (6 hours on low is perfect in my Crock-Pot).
- When done, remove chicken breasts and set aside.
- (OPTIONAL) In a small bowl or mug, dissolve cornstarch in about ¼ cup of liquid from the slow cooker. Pour cornstarch mixture into the slow cooker and stir to combine. Cover and cook on high for 20-30 minutes.
- Shred chicken using two forks and return to the slow cooker. Mix well and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
This is one of those recipes I keep coming back to.
I first published this recipe more than a decade age! When I was just learning how to cook, I wasn’t a big fan of preparing meat, but the Crockpot changed that. I love dump-and-go recipes, and this one couldn’t be easier.
FAQ
Nope—this is a true dump-and-go recipe.
Just about any kind you like. Sweet, smoky, or spicy sauces all pair well with the Italian dressing. The only sauce I would avoid is a thin, vinegar-style barbecue sauce.
Yes, as long as your slow cooker's capacity can handle it.
Food safety
- Always cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat.
- Wash hands thoroughly after touching raw meat.
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods. You can use the Crockpot's Keep Warm setting.
Did you make this recipe? I’d love to hear what you think! Please take a moment to leave a rating and review—it helps me create high-quality recipes and lets others know what to expect.
smokeapuff says
This looks delicious, I'm saving this recipe!