This Slow Cooker Sweet Baby Ray’s Chicken is the kind of set-it-and-forget-it dinner that saves your sanity on busy days—tender, saucy, and full of bold barbecue flavor. Toss everything in the crockpot, let it do the work, and come back to juicy chicken ready to pile onto sandwiches, rice, or mashed potatoes.
If you’re craving a no-fuss dinner that practically cooks itself, this Slow Cooker Sweet Baby Ray’s Chicken is your new weeknight hero.
The sauce soaks deep into the chicken as it simmers low and slow, giving you juicy, pull-apart meat drenched in that signature sweet-and-smoky BBQ flavor.
Toss it on buns, pile it over rice, or eat it straight out of the pot—I won’t judge.
This one’s comfort food with zero effort, and it always hits the spot.
Why You Will Love This Recipe!
- Zero effort, maximum payoff. Dump everything in the slow cooker and walk away. Dinner basically cooks itself.
- Big BBQ flavor. Sweet Baby Ray’s clings to the chicken and turns into a thick, sticky, finger-licking sauce.
- Family-friendly. Mild, sweet, and savory, everyone at the table digs it, even picky eaters.
- Crazy versatile. Stuff it in sliders, pile it onto rice, wrap it in tortillas, or top a baked potato. It works with anything.
- Meal prep gold. It reheats beautifully, so you’ve got lunch or dinner ready for days.
Ingredients Needed
- Chicken breasts or thighs: Tender, juicy meat perfect for slow cooking.
- Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce: Sweet, smoky sauce that coats meat perfectly.
- Garlic powder: Adds savory, aromatic flavor without overpowering the dish.
- Onion powder: Enhances depth and brings mild, sweet undertones.
- Black pepper: Provides subtle heat and balances the sweet sauce.
- Optional liquid (water or chicken broth): Keeps chicken moist and adds extra flavor.
How To Make Slow Cooker Sweet Baby Rays Chicken
Step One: Place chicken breasts or thighs in the slow cooker, arranging them in an even layer.
Step Two: Sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper over the chicken.
Step Three: Pour Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce over the chicken, making sure each piece is coated evenly. Add a splash of water or chicken broth if you like extra sauce.
Step Four: Cover and cook on Low for 6–7 hours or High for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
Slow Cooker Sweet Baby Rays Chicken Recipe Tips
- Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs: Both work, but thighs stay extra juicy.
- Don’t skip seasoning: Garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper add depth to the BBQ flavor.
- Add a splash of liquid: Water or chicken broth keeps the chicken extra moist.
- Low and slow is best: Cooking on low for longer yields tender, pull-apart meat.
- (Optional) Shred carefully: Use two forks and shred directly in the slow cooker so the sauce coats every bite.
- Customize the sauce: Mix in a little honey, hot sauce, or extra spices for a personalized flavor.
- Make ahead: This dish tastes even better the next day after the flavors meld.
Storing Instructions
- Refrigerate: Store leftover shredded chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet, microwave, or in the slow cooker, adding a splash of water or BBQ sauce to keep it moist.
- Freeze for longer storage: Place in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Sauce tips: Store sauce with the chicken for best flavor; you can also freeze sauce separately and mix when reheating.
Slow Cooker Sweet Baby Rays Chicken Recipe Faqs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts? Yes! Boneless, skinless thighs stay extra juicy and add more flavor.
How long should I cook the chicken? Cook on Low for 6–7 hours or High for 3–4 hours, until fully cooked and tender.
Can I make this ahead of time? Absolutely! The flavors deepen if made a few hours in advance or reheated the next day.
How can I thicken the sauce? Simmer shredded chicken on low for a few minutes, or stir in a little cornstarch slurry for a thicker glaze.
What should I serve with it? Great over rice, in sandwiches, tacos, or with mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
More Easy Slow Cooker Recipes
- Easy Slow Cooker Matzo Ball Soup Recipe
- Slow Cooker Pro Garlic Chicken
- Slow Cooker Recipes
- Slow Cooker Pro Peanuts
- Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatball
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Slow Cooker Sweet Baby Rays Chicken
Description
Ingredients
- 4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts , or thighs
- 2 cups Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup water, or chicken broth, optional, for extra moisture
Instructions
- Place 4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs in the slow cooker, arranging them in an even layer.
- Sprinkle2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons onion powder, and 1 teaspoon black pepper over the chicken.
- Pour 2 cups Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce over the chicken, making sure each piece is coated evenly. Add 1/4 cup water or chicken broth if you like extra sauce.
- Cover and cook on Low for 6–7 hours or High for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Optional: Remove the chicken and shred it with two forks right in the slow cooker. Stir it back into the sauce so every bite is coated.
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
- Ladle
Nutrition
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