Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken – Juicy, Tangy, and Full of Barbecue Flavor with Minimal Effort

Craving a delicious, easy-to-make dinner that will leave everyone asking for seconds? This Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken recipe is the perfect solution. With tender chicken breasts slow-cooked in a tangy, slightly spicy barbecue sauce, this dish is packed with flavor and requires minimal prep. Whether you’re shredding it for sandwiches or serving it with your favorite sides, this recipe is a guaranteed hit!

Scroll down for the full recipe!

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The Inspiration Behind Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken

Who doesn’t love a good barbecue? Sweet Baby Ray’s is known for its bold, sweet, and tangy barbecue sauce, and this recipe lets you enjoy that classic flavor in a slow-cooked, fall-apart chicken dish. This is a set-it-and-forget-it recipe that’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re feeding a crowd. The simple ingredients combine to create a rich, flavorful sauce that keeps the chicken moist and delicious, all without much effort.

Why You’ll Love This Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken

This dish is all about ease and flavor. You only need a few basic ingredients, and most of the work is done by the crockpot. The barbecue sauce, combined with vinegar, brown sugar, and a few spices, creates a perfectly balanced sauce that coats every piece of chicken. The slow cooking process makes the chicken incredibly tender, and you can enjoy it shredded in sandwiches, tacos, or just on its own with sides. It’s versatile, foolproof, and absolutely delicious!

Nutritional Information (Per Serving, Based on 4 Servings):

• Calories: 280 kcal
• Fat: 6g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Protein: 32g
• Sodium: 820mg
• Fiber: 1g

This crockpot chicken is not only flavorful but also a healthier alternative to fried or heavily processed meals, making it a great choice for family dinners.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

This Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken pairs perfectly with classic barbecue sides like coleslaw, baked beans, or potato salad. You can serve the chicken breasts whole, or shred them for sliders or tacos. If you’re feeling adventurous, try pairing it with mac and cheese or roasted veggies for a comforting, satisfying meal. The versatility of this dish means you can serve it up in many different ways, depending on your cravings!

Storage and Reheating Tips

Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave individual portions or warm them on the stove with a little extra barbecue sauce to keep the chicken moist. You can also freeze the cooked chicken for up to 3 months; just thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating. The flavors will stay just as delicious, and this makes a great make-ahead meal for busy days!

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Fun Fact: The History of Sweet Baby Ray’s

Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce was first created by a man named Larry Raymond in Chicago, and it became famous after winning second place in a national rib-cooking contest in the 1980s. Since then, it’s become one of the most popular barbecue sauces in the United States, known for its signature sweet and tangy flavor. This recipe harnesses the power of Sweet Baby Ray’s to bring a restaurant-quality dish right into your home!

Cooking Tips

• Use Frozen Chicken: Don’t worry if your chicken breasts are frozen! This recipe works perfectly with frozen chicken as long as you increase the cooking time slightly.
• Shred or Serve Whole: Depending on how you plan to serve the chicken, you can either shred it once it’s cooked for sandwiches or leave the breasts whole for a more formal presentation.
• Adjust Spice Level: If you love a little extra heat, feel free to add more red pepper flakes or even a splash of hot sauce to the sauce mixture.

Optional Variations

• Honey BBQ Twist: Add 2 tablespoons of honey to the sauce mixture for an extra layer of sweetness.
• Spicy BBQ Chicken: If you love a kick of heat, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the mix.
• Pineapple BBQ Chicken: For a tropical twist, toss in some crushed pineapple with the sauce for a sweet and tangy barbecue chicken variation.

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Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4-6 chicken breasts
• 1 bottle Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce
• ¼ cup vinegar (apple cider or white vinegar)
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions:

1. Prepare the sauce: In a mixing bowl, combine the Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce, vinegar, red pepper flakes, brown sugar, and garlic powder. Stir until the mixture is well blended.
2. • 1 bottle Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce, ¼ cup vinegar, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, ¼ cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon garlic powder
3. Place the chicken in the crockpot: Arrange the chicken breasts evenly in the bottom of your crockpot. It’s okay if they’re frozen—just make sure they’re spread out for even cooking.
4. • 4-6 chicken breasts
5. Coat the chicken with sauce: Pour the prepared sauce mixture over the chicken breasts, ensuring that each piece is generously coated with the sauce.
6. Slow cook the chicken: Set your crockpot to cook on low for 4 to 6 hours. The cooking time will depend on whether you’re using fresh or frozen chicken. For frozen chicken, you may need closer to 6 hours, while fresh chicken will be done in about 4 hours.
7. Check for tenderness: After the cooking time is up, check the chicken for tenderness. If it’s easily shreddable or falling apart, it’s ready to go!
8. Serve or shred: At this point, you can either shred the chicken breasts using two forks for pulled barbecue sandwiches or serve the breasts whole with your favorite sides.
9. Enjoy: Serve your Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken with sides like coleslaw, mac and cheese, or a fresh salad. You can also make sandwiches or tacos with the shredded chicken for a fun twist.

This Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken is the ultimate go-to for a simple, delicious dinner. The combination of sweet, tangy barbecue sauce with tender chicken makes it perfect for a variety of dishes, and it’s so easy to make with minimal effort. Whether you’re feeding the family or meal prepping for the week, this recipe will quickly become one of your favorites!