Do you need an easy dinner recipe? Make some simple BBQ chicken in the slow cooker and top it with creamy coleslaw for a meal the whole family will love.
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Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken With Simple And Creamy Coleslaw
Summer is coming! And you know what that means? Grilling season will be here soon! My family loves a good grilled meal like peach-glazed pork tenderloin.
But, as much as we (or I should say my husband) enjoys grilling, there are still those times when life gets busy.
And after a long day of balancing work with kids and camps, neither of us feels much like cooking or standing over a hot grill. I’m sure you can relate, right?
It’s those crazy, hectic days when I rely on my slow cooker and the magic of Mrs. Wages 1 Step® Mixes to whip up an easy dump-it-in-and-go meal.
This simple recipe for slow cooker BBQ chicken topped with creamy coleslaw is one of those meals.
The tender, shredded chicken has all the flavors of summer. And the coleslaw only takes 5 minutes to prep thanks to a packet of Creamy Coleslaw Dressing Mix from Mrs. Wages®.
Oh! And, because I’m a big fan of pickles on my BBQ sandwiches, I’m going to show you how to make an easy homemade version.
No canning necessary!
All you need are some cucumbers and a packet of Mrs. Wages® 1 Step Pickle™ Kosher Dill Ready-Made Pickling Mix.
Where To Find Mrs. Wages 1 Step® Mixes
If you read my latest recipe for deviled eggs two ways, you know how much I enjoy using Mrs. Wages® products in my kitchen. (Truly! You should take a peek inside our pantry and spice cabinet!)
The number one question I always get asked whenever I share a recipe made with Mrs. Wages® mixes is, “Where can I find their products?”.
I’m lucky to have several large Midwest grocery chains near me that carry most of my favorite items.
But if you don’t live in the Midwest or can’t find what you are looking for at your local grocery store, you can find the complete list of retailers on the Mrs. Wages® website.
Or, you can find many of their products, including their 1 Step® Mixes, online and have them shipped right to your door using Amazon Prime!
Okay. Now that you know where to get the goods, let’s get to the recipe.
Ingredients For Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken With Creamy Coleslaw
The Chicken
- 3 pounds (about 5-6 count) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 and 1/2 cups BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
The Coleslaw
- 1 bag of fresh coleslaw (14 or 16 ounces)
- 1 packet Mrs. Wages® 1 Step Coleslaw™ Creamy Coleslaw Dressing Mix
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
The Homemade Pickles
- 1/2 pound pickling cucumbers (about 2 medium)
- 1 packet of Mrs. Wages® 1 Step Pickle™ Kosher Dill Ready-Made Pickling Mix
How To Prepare The BBQ Chicken
Step 1: Make The BBQ Sauce
First, stir together all of the sauce ingredients in a 7-qt. slow cooker. Mix well to make sure the brown sugar is dissolved and everything is combined.
Step 2: Cook The Chicken Breasts
Place 5-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the slow cooker and turn them to coat each piece evenly with the BBQ sauce.
Then cover your slow cooker and cook the chicken breasts on high heat for 3-4 hours or on low heat for 6-7 hours.
Step 3: Shred The BBQ Chicken
When the chicken is done, remove it from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board.
I love to use meat claws to shred my meat. But if you don’t have any, two forks will do the trick.
When all the chicken is shredded, return it to the slow cooker and stir to combine it with the BBQ sauce.
Turn the slow cooker to warm to keep the chicken hot until you’re ready to serve.
How To Make Coleslaw With Mrs. Wages® 1 Step Mixes
With only 5 minutes of prep, it doesn’t get much easier than this no-fail recipe for creamy coleslaw.
To start, empty a bag of pre-shredded coleslaw into a large mixing bowl.
Then add 1/2 cup mayonnaise and a packet of Mrs. Wages® 1 Step Coleslaw™ Creamy Coleslaw Dressing Mix. Pour the dressing over the cabbage mix until it’s completely coated.
Stir the coleslaw until all the ingredients are well combined. Then cover your bowl with plastic wrap and let the coleslaw chill for at least one hour before serving.
How To Make Homemade Dill Pickles Without Canning
If you love the taste of homemade pickles, but don’t have time for canning, then this recipe is for you!
Step 1: Prep Your Cucumbers
Start with two medium-sized pickling cucumbers. Wash them and then cut off and discard the ends.
Slice the cucumbers and pack them tightly into a clean and sterilized pint jar.
Step 2: Add The Pickle Mix
Pour one packet of Mrs. Wages® 1 Step Pickle™ Kosher Dill Ready-Made Pickling Mix over the cucumbers and leave 1/2 inch of space at the top of the jar.
Make sure your cucumbers are completely covered by the mix and screw on the lid. Then chill in the fridge for at least 8 hours before consuming.
How To Build The Perfect BBQ Chicken Sandwich
The build the best BBQ chicken sandwich, start by placing a large scoop of shredded chicken on the bottom of your bun.
Then top your meat with a heaping spoonful of creamy coleslaw.
To finish, plop on a few fresh, homemade dill pickles, and voila! You’ve got yourself the perfect BBQ chicken sandwich.
Of course, you can also serve coleslaw on the side instead. But in our house, when it comes to bbq sandwiches, this is the way to go.
How To Store Your Leftover BBQ Chicken And Coleslaw
The slow cooker BBQ chicken makes about 8 servings, while the creamy coleslaw makes approximately 14 to 16 ounces.
What I love most about this meal (besides how delicious it is) is how easy it is to clean up after dinner.
You can store your leftover BBQ chicken in an airtight food storage container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
In my opinion, the coleslaw is best fresh, but the leftovers will be okay in the fridge for another day or two.
And the pickles will keep in the fridge, too. Just screw the lid back on your pint jar and enjoy them throughout the week on your favorite burgers and sandwiches.
Can You Make Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken and Creamy Coleslaw In Advance?
While the creamy coleslaw and pickles are best made fresh, you can absolutely make the slow cooker BBQ chicken in advance. Just follow the cooking instructions above.
Shred your meat and keep it refrigerated until ready to serve. Then reheat the chicken in your slow cooker, or in the microwave until it is warmed through.
Feeding a crowd? This recipe is perfect for a backyard BBQ, graduation party, family picnic, or neighborhood potluck. And it can easily be doubled (or tripled) as needed.
Time-Saving Tip: The cooked and shredded chicken can also be frozen and saved for extra meals or made ahead for large parties.
To freeze, first, allow your meat to cool completely. Then portion it into plastic freezer bags, lay them flat on a baking sheet, and place them in your freezer.
Laying the bags flat will make it easier to defrost them when you’re ready to reheat your chicken! (P.s. Don’t forget to label and date your bags! )
BBQ Shredded chicken can be frozen for up to 3 months.
The Best Sides To Pair With BBQ Chicken Sandwiches & Coleslaw
You’ve got your slow cooker BBQ chicken sandwich and some creamy coleslaw, but are you looking for other sides to serve with your meal?
Try pairing your dinner with some of these simple side dishes.
- Cucumber Pasta Salad
- Baked Beans
- Fruit Salad
- Corn on the Cob
- Creamy Broccoli Salad
- Potato Salad
- Creamy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken With Simple And Creamy Coleslaw
Okay, who’s hungry? I know I am! I hope your family enjoys this recipe for slow cooker BBQ chicken, creamy coleslaw, and homemade pickles as much as we do.
If you love this recipe, visit the Mrs. Wages® website or follow them on Instagram for even more mealtime inspiration.
And don’t forget! If you try it, leave a star rating on the recipe card so other readers can easily find it.
Or drop me a message in the comments and let me know what you think!
Enjoy!
Recipe For Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken With Simple And Creamy Coleslaw
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken With Simple And Creamy Coleslaw
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
BBQ Chicken
- 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 5-6 breasts)
- 1 and ½ cups BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
Homemade Coleslaw
- 1 bag fresh coleslaw (14 or 16 ounces)
- 1 packet Mrs. Wages® 1 Step Coleslaw™ Creamy Coleslaw Dressing Mix
- ½ cup mayonnaise
Homemade Pickles
- ½ pound pickling cucumbers (about 2 medium)
- packet Mrs. Wages® 1 Step Pickle™ Kosher Dill Ready-Made Pickling Mix
Instructions
To Make The Chicken
- Add BBQ sauce, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar to a 7 qt. slow cooker. Stir until well combined.
- Add chicken breasts to the slow cooker and turn to coat. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-7 hours.
- When done, remove chicken and place on cutting board. Use meat claws or two forks to shred. Return to crockpot and mix with sauce.
To Make The Coleslaw
- Empty one bag of fresh, shredded coleslaw into large mixing bowl. Add mayonnaise and pour 1 packet Mrs. Wages® 1 Step Coleslaw™ Creamy Coleslaw Dressing Mix over coleslaw.
- Stir until coated. Then cover and chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
To Make The Pickles
- Wash cucumbers and cut off ends. Slice or cut into spears and pack tightly in clean, sterilized pint jar.
- Pour 1 packet Mrs. Wages® 1 Step Pickle™ Kosher Dill Ready-Made Pickling Mix over cucumbers and leave 1/2" space at top of jar.
- Make sure cucumbers are completely covered by mix and screw on lid. Chill in fridge for at least 8 hours before eating.
To Build Your Sandwich
- Add one large scoop of shredded BBQ chicken on the bottom of a bun.
- Top with a heaping spoonful of coleslaw.
- Finish with some fresh homemade pickles, put on the top half of the bun, and enjoy!
Notes
I would love to see what you make! If you try any of my recipes, be sure to tag me in your photos!
IG: @midwestlifeandstyle + #midwestlifeandstyle
Lyndel Colman says
Do you know of a substitute for Mrs. Wages mixes? I can’t find them here in Scottsdale, AZ
Thanks
midwestlifeandstyle says
Hi Lyndel,
If you shop on Amazon you can find many of their mixes online: https://rstyle.me/+fHWFEC4rzKTo5A-DVKUeAg. I did find the pickle mixes, but not coleslaw. If I don’t have a Mrs. Wages coleslaw mix on hand, I usually just grab some pre-made slaw from our grocery store. I hope that helps!
Kim Waldorf says
Gosh, this is perfect for football Sunday’s at our house. Sharing this in my Mitten Moments!
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you, Kim. Yes! It’s perfect football food. Easy to make, easy to serve, and easy to clean-up! You can also double your batch of chicken to freeze some for later.
Wendy McMonigle says
Another winner: I am a big fan of Mrs. Wages, so I will also have to try this one. And your photograph is outstanding.
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you, Wendy. We love Mrs. Wages in our house too. Delicious and so easy to use. The coleslaw tastes just like homemade without all the extra work.
Renae Frey says
This sounds delicious and so easy, too. I will definitely be making this. Hugs to you.
midwestlifeandstyle says
Thank you, Renae. It’s a meal we make often. Soooo good and super easy. I hop you enjoy it!