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    Home » Recipes » Slow Cooker Recipes

    Zesty Italian BBQ Chicken Slow Cooker Recipe

    Published: May 25, 2013 · Modified: Sep 27, 2021 by Kelsey Smith

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    Shredded slow cooker chicken with BBQ sauce and zesty Italian dressing, perfect for BBQ chicken sandwiches and sliders.

    Crockpot Zesty Italian BBQ Chicken

    Slow cooker shredded chicken is the best. When I first started learning how to cook, I really didn't like cooking meat, but the Crock-Pot makes it so effortless.

    If I can dump a bunch of ingredients in the slow cooker and return hours later to a tasty meal, I'm a happy camper. This zesty Italian BBQ chicken recipe is a dump-and-go slow cooker recipe.

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Ingredients

    I've seen several variations of this recipe using brown sugar, liquid smoke, and a variety of condiments, but you really just need three things:

    • chicken
    • BBQ sauce
    • zesty Italian dressing
    • cornstarch (optional)

    The end. Keep it simple!

    Crockpot Zesty Italian BBQ Chicken

    I like to use Kraft BBQ sauce and Kraft zesty Italian dressing because they are affordable and easy to find, but any BBQ sauce and Italian dressing will do.

    We have made this recipe dozens of times now, and I would definitely make it again and again and again. The recipe makes so much food, Xavier and I are able to make many meals out of it.

    It calls for 3lb or about 6 chicken breasts, which I definitely think serves more than 6 people. My guess is about 8 because that's about how many sandwiches we get out of it.

    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.

    To Serve

    We usually use this Zesty Italian BBQ Chicken for sandwiches, 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 pot-luck-style event, try my Pepperoni Pizza Dip recipe.

    Zesty BBQ Chicken Sliders on a King's Hawaiian Roll
    Shredded zesty Italian BBQ chicken.
    Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved! Email Print

    Zesty Italian BBQ Chicken Slow Cooker Recipe

    Shredded slow cooker chicken with BBQ sauce and zesty Italian dressing, perfect for BBQ chicken sandwiches and sliders.
    4.67 from 3 votes
    Recipe by: Kelsey Smith
    Prep time: 10 minutes
    Cook time: 6 hours 30 minutes
    Total time: 6 hours 40 minutes
    Servings: 8

    Equipment

    • Slow cooker

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts about 6 breasts
    • 12 oz BBQ sauce
    • ½ cup zesty Italian dressing
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch 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 was calculated using MyFitnessPal. Fat: 6g; Carbs: 26g; Protein 39g.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 318kcal
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: BBQ, chicken, slow cooker
    Tried this recipe?Rate it to let me know how it was!
    Zesty Italian BBQ Chicken Slow Cooker RecipeZesty Italian BBQ Chicken Slow Cooker RecipeZesty Italian BBQ Chicken Slow Cooker RecipeZesty Italian BBQ Chicken Slow Cooker Recipe

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    About Kelsey Smith

    I am a freelance content writer for college-level textbooks by day, mommy by night, and a blogger in between. I live in Knoxville, Tennessee with my husband, Xavier. When I'm not working on college textbooks, you might find me here, sharing recipes, social media tutorials, and more.

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    1. smokeapuff says

      July 15, 2021 at 11:36 am

      5 stars
      This looks delicious, I'm saving this recipe!

      Reply
    2. Carol says

      February 09, 2014 at 6:30 am

      This is going to be dinner for my Heart2Home group tonight!

      Reply
    3. max says

      July 23, 2013 at 7:49 pm

      Very good! I ate it with taboule. Weird, but good combo

      Reply
    4. ' says

      May 28, 2013 at 7:54 pm

      I tried it last night and loved it! I think I'll add a dash of hot sauce to mine next time, too. So easy and delicious.

      Reply
    5. Mom says

      May 25, 2013 at 6:54 pm

      This looks delicious! I think I'll try it this week with some coleslaw on the side. thanks!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Kelsey! I am a freelance content writer for college-level textbooks by day, mommy by night, and a blogger in between. I live in Knoxville, Tennessee with my husband, Xavier. When I'm not working, you might find me here, sharing easy comfort food recipes.

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