Everyone loves this easy sandwich and it's perfect for tailgating and feeding crowds of hungry people!
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❤️ Why you'll love it
- It's a simple recipe with just 4 ingredients.
- All you have to do is toss everything together in the slow cooker, and come home after a busy day to a fully cooked meal!
- This root beer barbecue chicken is a simple recipe that's super versatile for a meal the whole family will love.
Who can say no to a good chicken dinner? Especially when it's made with a can of regular root beer and your favorite barbecue sauce!
Just combine the ingredients, whip up a few sides like a baked potato and potato salad, and you've got yourself a complete meal in no time.
The slow cooker makes the chicken fall off the bone tender, and the sauce will have your guests practically licking their plates.
🧾 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
🔪 Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Place the seasoned chicken in the bottom of the crockpot.
- Whisk the ingredients for the sauce.
- Cook the sauce-covered chicken on low for 8 hours.
- Shred with two forks.
🥫 Storage
Before you store your slow cooker chicken, make sure it cools to room temperature. Then, place it in an airtight container where it will stay fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Root beer chicken freezes like a charm, too!
Place your chicken in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you're ready to serve, just be sure to let it thaw in the fridge overnight first.
📖 Variations
The good thing about slow cooker dinner recipes is how many ways you can serve them! Whether you're meal prepping, preparing for a cookout, or just feeding your family, there's nothing this amazing recipe can't do.
- Serve it on buns for bbq chicken sandwiches.
- Add onion powder to the seasonings for an extra kick of flavor.
- Try different cuts of chicken. Whole chicken, chicken wings, chicken thighs, and chicken tenders all work!
- Pair it with celery, carrots, or crackers for a flavorful chicken dip.
- Spread your shredded chicken over a plate of chips for nachos.
- Sprinkle your chicken on top of a homemade pizza crust, and add your favorite toppings for a fun weeknight dinner!
💭 Things to know
Expert Tip: Do not use sugar free root beer with this recipe - it doesn't work well and the flavor is weird.
- Once shredded, cover the chicken, and continue to cook for an additional 30 minutes.
- Use a slotted spoon for serving. This will help drain off excess liquid.
- Use a bbq sauce you love.
👩🍳 FAQs
I don't recommend it. Frozen chicken will take much longer to fully cook, resulting in tough meat and too much liquid.
I haven't tested this recipe with any other sodas, but it should work just fine! I suggest sticking with a dark-colored option like Coke or Dr Pepper.
Yes! Pork will have a slightly different flavor but will still be super tasty. You might want to try these crockpot honey garlic pork chops, too.
📚 Related recipes
Who couldn't use more slow cooker chicken recipes in their recipe box? These meals are quick, easy, and guaranteed to satisfy all your guests!
- Crockpot Chicken and Gravy is an easy old-fashioned dinner perfect for busy nights when you don't have a lot of time.
- Slow cooked to tender perfection, this Crockpot Ranch Chicken is weekday dinner magic!
- This Easy Crockpot Chicken and Rice is an amazing recipe you'll look forward to coming home to.
- Make Taco Tuesday even better with juicy and flavorful Tequila Lime Chicken Tacos!
🍽️ Serve with...
- Easy Homemade Hamburger or Hot Dog Buns make for tasty root beer chicken sandwiches!
- I can't imagine a potluck or cookout without a big bowl of Mom's Homemade Potato Salad. Pair it with this chicken, and all your guests will be raving.
- Frito Corn Salad is crunchy and has a little Tex-Mex flavor that goes great with pulled chicken.
- Homemade Tater Tots are crispy on the outside and soft and tender on the inside for a side dish no one can resist.
- No matter how you choose to serve this dish, you'll want to top it off with this fudgy Chewy Brownie Recipe to satisfy your sweet tooth!
📞 The last word
This easy recipe is perfect for busy weeknights but I love it for tailgating and casual get-togethers, too. It makes great sliders! Here's another of our favorite crockpot chicken recipes.
If you're planning a tailgating weekend take a look at these butter-tender Dr Pepper Country Style Ribs...
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Crockpot Root Beer Chicken
Print SaveEquipment Needed
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, or thighs
- 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
- 1 cup root beer, not sugar-free
- 1 cup bbq sauce
Instructions
- Spray the inside of a crockpot with nonstick cooking spray.
- Season the chicken with the seasoned salt and place in the bottom of the crock.
- Mix the root beer and bbq sauce together in a medium sized bowl with a whisk until smooth and well blended.
- Pour the root beer mixture over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
- Shred with 2 forks and put the cover back on. Cook for an additional 30 minutes.
- *Serve on hamburger buns or spooned over mashed potatoes.
Notes
- Once shredded, cover the chicken, and continue to cook for an additional 30 minutes.
- Use a slotted spoon for serving. This will help drain off excess liquid.
- Use a bbq sauce you love.
Sherry
Can this recipe be prepared the night before. I have made it before for a sick friend and his family and they loved it. This time it’s for me and my family! Thank you Marye.