Italian dressing BBQ chicken is one of the easiest slow cooker dinners you can make. Boneless chicken breasts cook in a sweet, tangy sauce of barbecue sauce, Italian dressing, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar until they are tender enough to shred with two forks.
The Italian dressing adds a bright, savory edge that cuts through the sweetness, and the chicken stays moist all day. Serve it on buns for pulled chicken sandwiches, or spoon it over rice, into tacos, or on top of salads.
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Why This Italian Dressing BBQ Chicken Recipe Works
The Italian dressing works like a quick marinade and a seasoning in one. Its vinegar and herbs balance the sugar in the barbecue sauce, so the sauce tastes layered instead of one note sweet. The chicken cooks in the sauce, which keeps it moist.
Boneless breasts also cook evenly in a slow cooker when they are covered by sauce. Because the sauces are already salty, the recipe skips added salt and relies on garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper for seasoning.
Ingredients for Italian Dressing BBQ Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, fat trimmed off
- 1 1/4 cups barbecue sauce
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing (regular or fat free)
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar (reduce to 2 tablespoons or omit for a less sweet sauce)
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- Black pepper, to taste
Choose any barbecue sauce you like, such as a honey style or a smoky one. Since most sauces are already salty, taste the shredded chicken before adding any extra salt.
How to Make Italian Dressing BBQ Chicken
1. Prepare the slow cooker.
Spray the inside of a large slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray, or use a slow cooker liner for easier cleanup.
2. Season the chicken.
Season the chicken breasts with black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder, then place them in the bottom of the slow cooker.
3. Mix the sauce.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce, Italian dressing, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth.
4. Pour and cook.
Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours.
5. Check the temperature.
Use a meat thermometer to make sure the chicken reaches 165 degrees F in the thickest part.
6. Shred and serve.
Shred the chicken right in the slow cooker so it soaks up the extra sauce, or serve the breasts whole.
How to Serve Italian Dressing BBQ Chicken
Pile the shredded chicken on toasted buns with coleslaw for classic pulled chicken sandwiches. It is also great in tacos, over rice, or on salads.
For a more traditional pulled chicken dinner, see our BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches. Round out the meal with classic potato salad with eggs, macaroni salad with sour cream, or a creamy coleslaw.
How to Store and Reheat Italian Dressing BBQ Chicken
Store leftovers in shallow covered containers and refrigerate within two hours after cooking is finished. Do not reheat leftovers in the slow cooker. Bring them to steaming on the stovetop or in the microwave instead, to 165 degrees F.
Add a splash of water or extra barbecue sauce when reheating to keep the shredded chicken moist.
Tips and Variations for Italian Dressing BBQ Chicken
Always check the chicken with a thermometer. The University of New Hampshire Extension includes a thermometer check for chicken breasts in its slow cooker chicken recipe, and Clemson Extension notes that food safety guidance calls for 165 degrees F for poultry.
Keep the slow cooker between half and two thirds full for even cooking. Add a dash of hot sauce for a spicy kick, or swap the brown sugar for a little honey.
Frequently Asked Questions About Italian Dressing BBQ Chicken
Can I use frozen chicken for Italian dressing BBQ chicken?
Thaw it first. Food safety guidance says to defrost poultry before putting it in a slow cooker.
Can I use chicken thighs in Italian dressing BBQ chicken?
Yes, thighs work well, and they may stay a bit more tender. Check that they reach 165 degrees F.
How do I make the sauce less sweet?
Cut the brown sugar to 2 tablespoons or leave it out, and choose a tangy barbecue sauce.
Can I make Italian dressing BBQ chicken in the oven?
You can bake it covered in the same sauce, but the timing differs, so rely on a thermometer.
What should I serve with the chicken?
Buns, rice, tacos, potato salad, and coleslaw are all good choices.
Italian Dressing BBQ Chicken in the Slow Cooker
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts fat trimmed off
- 1 ¼ cup barbecue sauce
- ½ cup Italian dressing regular or fat free
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ cup light brown sugar reduce to 2 tablespoons or omit for a less sweet sauce
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
Cooking
- Spray the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray or use a liner.
- Season the chicken with pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder and place it in the slow cooker.
- Whisk the barbecue sauce, Italian dressing, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours.
- Check that the chicken reaches 165 degrees F with a meat thermometer.
- Shred the chicken in the slow cooker so it soaks up the sauce, or serve whole.
