Perfect for summer picnics and cookouts, this skinny pulled crockpot bbq chicken is amazingly flavorful, yet uses no bottled bbq sauce and is only 1 freestyle smart point per serving!
Just because you’re eating healthier, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy classic summer cookout food like this crockpot bbq chicken!ย Lean boneless skinless chicken breasts are cooked with a homemade barbecue sauce until they’re fall apart tender and ready to be piled on a whole-wheat bun or lettuce cup!
I’m always in the mood for FANTASTIC warm-weather cookouts and summer barbecues.ย There’s really nothing that beats classic cookout food in my book.ย Don’t get me wrong, I love comfort food, and tasty party bites, but they’re not my number 1.
Being on Weight Watchers or watching what you’re eating doesn’t mean you have to toss all your beloved cookout foods aside… especially with the zero points food list on the freestyle program!
For example, usually my family goes for a traditional pulled pork bbq or even shredded beef… but those have points.ย So I’ve been working on a great pulled bbq chicken that tastes really delicious.ย Ta-da!!ย Here it is, and I think you’ll really love it!
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COOK CHICKEN IN THE SLOW COOKER
That ultimately depends on your slow cooker, but a general rule of thumb is about 5-7 hours on LOW.ย Since chicken breasts are very lean, if you cook them a lonnnnnng time, they’ll dry out.
WHAT GOES WELL WITH PULLED CHICKEN
Anything you’d normally serve at a cookout!ย I love broccoli salad, roasted corn on the cob, creamy coleslaw, and potato salad.ย Don’t worry, I have those other three recipes coming soon!ย In fact, the coleslaw will be posted in a few days.
COOKING TIPS FOR COOKING CROCKPOT BBQ CHICKEN
- Season the chicken breasts before adding the sauce.ย I like to put on some disposable gloves and really rub the seasonings into the meat.
- If you have a few points to spare, consider making this bbq chicken with a mixture of breasts and thighs, or even all thighs.ย It really adds moisture, but of course, adds points as well.
- If you want to add extra flavor, consider a drizzle of your favorite low point bbq sauce after you’ve shredded the chicken or over the top of the chicken on the sandwich.
- The point value here is the chicken only, so if you’re having it on a bun (like pictured), get some whole-wheat buns and be sure to calculate the total point value.
Since the weather is warming up, I really hope you give this crockpot bbq chicken a try… I’m sure you’ll love it!!
HELPFUL TOOLS:
- Slow Cooker – I love the clamp down lid on this slow cooker, and it’s really affordable.
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Ingredients
- 5 - 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed of excess fat
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tbsp light brown sugar, packed
Instructions
- Grease 6 quart or larger slow cooker and add chicken breasts. Sprinkle with salt, paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper and rub into the chicken. Top with onion slices and garlic cloves.
- In a mixing bowl, add tomato sauce, balsamic vinegar and brown sugar and stir to combine. Pour into slow cooker and toss gently to combine.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 5-7 hours, or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
- Remove chicken to cutting board or large mixing bowl and shred using two forks. Return to slow cooker and toss in the sauce/juices. Serve on a whole wheat bun, lettuce cup, or by itself.
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Nutrition Disclaimer
The Chunky Chef is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Calories: 118 | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 655mg | Potassium: 485mg | Sugar: 5g | Fiber: 1g | Vitamin A: 7.5% | Vitamin C: 7.3% | Calcium: 1.9% | Iron: 5.5%
Iโm not a nutritionist, and nutritional values here on my recipes should be used for general information purposes only. ย This information is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new diet and fitness regimen.
Doris Ford says
It was really awesome not like being on a diet Journey at all
Christine says
Made this for my son’s graduation party and it was hit!! Others asked for the recipe as well. Thank you!
Julie Puchot says
Thank you for this recipe! It was delicious! I added a 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne to the chicken and a squirt of sriracha to the sauce to add a bit more zing. Perfect! Went great with Cooking Light Creamed Corn recipe!
Susan Kudler says
This is delicious and easy. It doesn’t require a lot of ingredients and I love having leftovers. There are only two of us so we gave some to our picky eater daughter who loved it and also had leftovers. She ate hers on a bun. I served it along with coleslaw made with a low points homemade dressing and a salad or corn on the cob.
It is a tiny bit bland for our taste so I added a bit of leftover bottled bbq sauce I had in refrigerator but pepper flakes or chili powder or perhaps liquid smoke would be good.
Dawn says
I thought if turned out great! ย I added some red pepper flakes in when I cooked the chicken. For 1 sp I will definitely make this again and again.ย
DANA A PRICE says
Made this for a family reunion. It was the hit of the party. Very flavorful without any additional barbecue sauce but is also delicious with your sauce of choice.
Terri says
Just made this today. The whole family loved it. I had it on a whole wheat bun, velveeta cheese and pickles. I loved it . It was only 4 WW smart points!!!
Great dinner for all. Thanks
Ashley D says
So at 1 point per serving, it must be the tomato sauce? Since chicken breast are free. Can you confirm? Or would it be one point if you did thighs and breast?
The Chunky Chef says
I just plugged the ingredients into Weight Watchers recipe calculator tool, but I would assume the tomato sauce and brown sugar
Anna M. says
It’s the balsalmic vinegar and brown sugar
Hannah says
What kind of canned tomato sauce did you use?
Britteny says
Can this recipe be substituted with pork? ย I know that would change the fat/calories?
The Chunky Chef says
I think pork would work well!
Dom says
What is the weight of 5-6 chicken breasts?ย
The Chunky Chef says
That will vary significantly, as no two chicken breasts are exactly the same weight… but I would estimate anywhere between 3-6 lbs.
Hemanth Ramineni says
Can I make it in a Le Creuset pot?
The Chunky Chef says
I never have, but I think that should work. Just google the oven temperature conversion for a slow cooker on low.
Chelsea says
I might be missing this, but how much is 1 serving?
The Chunky Chef says
No real measurement, just 1/8 of the recipe ๐
Yusuf says
Hi! Could I substitute smoked paprika for normal paprika? I can’t find smoked paprika for the life of me
Sandra | A Dash of Sanity says
I’d happily eat this for dinner any night of the week!
Anna says
BBQ chicken is one of my faves to make during summer! This crockpot version looks perfect!
Angela Jennings says
Anyone made this without brown sugar or substituted with something else?
Amy @ Little Dairy on the Prairie says
I love pulled chicken! I have to make this!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
I love this idea! So simple and pretty!
Dee says
This is the perfect recipe for summer!
Delaney | Melanie Makes says
This is perfect for summer!
Jacque Hastert says
Love that you don’t have to skimp on flavor to stay healthy with this!
Luke says
Hey, today I have tried this recipe. It is really awesome. Thanks for sharing it with us. Good work, Keep it up.