Slow Cooker Root Beer Pulled Chicken

This Slow Cooker Root Beer Pulled Chicken takes less than 10 minutes to put together.

Made with root beer and barbecue sauce and slow cooked to perfection, this mouthwatering chicken is sweet, savory, and tender, making it perfect for a family meal or for sharing with others at your next gathering.

What makes root beer chicken so good?

It is the unique sweet flavor and ability to tenderize that root beer brings to this slow cooked chicken recipe that makes it so good.

I like how this slow cooked chicken is perfect when pulled and served on a bun such as a brioche.

Have you tried my Slow Cooker Mississippi Pork Roast recipe?

That simple pork roast recipe has a perfect combination of buttery, savory and tangy flavors. Both this recipe for root beer chicken and that recipe for Mississippi pork roast take just 10 minutes to prepare with just five ingredients and are slow cooked to perfection.

To make this recipe you will need a good tasting barbecue sauce that can work well with the flavors in root beer. You can find a selection of barbecue sauces here.

Why you will love this slow cooker chicken recipe

This root beer chicken recipe is is easy to make and takes less than 10 minutes to prep. It is basically a dump and slow cook recipe.

Here is what else you will like about this recipe.

• The ingredients used in this recipe are basic or easy to find ingredients that you may already have on hand.
• The chicken is slow cooked in the root beer and other ingredients to 'pull-apart tender' making it easy to shred.
• Making this in a slow cooker makes it easy to take with you to a gathering such as a potluck dinner, tailgate, or a gathering with friends.
• Leftovers taste great as is or when served on a salad, on nachos, or even in a wrap.

Ingredients you will need to make Root Beer Pulled Chicken in a Crock Pot

• Chicken Thighs. Use skinless and boneless chicken thighs .
• Barbecue Sauce. Such as Sweet Baby Ray's or a Homemade Barbecue Sauce.
• Root Beer. A basic can of regular root beer should work in this recipe.
• Seasonings. Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, and optional pepper flakes or cayenne for a bit of heat.

Expert Tip 👉 You can add additional heat to this chicken recipe by using a Memphis-style barbecue sauce or a more smokey flavor with smoky barbecue sauce and smoked paprika.

How to make Slow Cooked Root Beer Chicken

Prep Time: 10 minutes .
Slow Cook Time: 4 hours on high or up to 8 hours on low .
Servings: 8 .
How to Serve: Serve this pulled chicken on a bun, in a tortilla or wrap, or on top of a salad or nachos.
Notes: To make this recipe you will need a large slow cooker, two forks or shredding claws, measuring cups and spoons, and for sering, tongs or a slotted spoon .

1. Prepare Use a clean paper towel to pat off excess moisture from your chicken. Then place the chicken into your slow cooker in a single layer if possible.
2. Wet Ingredients. Pour your root beer over the chicken so that all of the chicken is covered with root beer. Then do the same with the the barbecue sauce. Lastly, sprinkle the seasonings over the chicken.
3. Slow Cook Cover your slow cooker and slow cook the chicken on high for 3-4 hours (or until done) or low for 6-8 hours (recommended). Your chicken is done cooking when it is easy to shred.
4. Shred. When your chicken has finished cooking, carefully use two forks to shred it. You can transfer the chicken to a work area, such as a cutting board to shred.
5. Serve. Shredded chicken is commonly served on a bun however, this chicken also goes great inside of a tortilla or wrap or when served over nachos or in salad.

Tips for making the best Root Beer Pulled Chicken

Chicken thighs were used to make my pulled chicken because of the fat content which tends to slow cook a more tender chicken. You could use the chicken of your choice however in this recipe.

More helpful tips for you.

1. The leftover liquid is often too thin to serve with the chicken. You can thicken the sauce using a slurry, remove part of the sauce and replace it with additional barbecue sauce, or simply remove the lid on your slow cooker and slow cook for another 20 minutes or so to thicken the liquid.
2. Any kind of root beer can be used in this recipe. This recipe also works with other colas such as Coke or Dr. Pepper.
3. Using two forks to pull apart the chicken should be simple to do when the chicken is done cooking. Another option is to put the chicken into a mixer to shred it.

How to store shredded root beer chicken.

Once your chicken has fully cooled, it should be stored in an airtight container. When properly stored, root beer chicken should keep for up to four days refrigerated or frozen for up to a few months.

You may also be interested in these chicken recipes.

• Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken Recipe
• Slow Cooker Chicken Stroganoff
• Buffalo Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
• Instant Pot Chicken and Noodle Dinner
• Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Chili
• Crockpot Angel Chicken Pasta