Crockpot Pulled Chicken
This recipe is long overdue for an appearance on the here. I think I made it the first time about a year ago. Hubby and I had a can of chipotles in the fridge that we had opened for another recipe so I set out to find something to use them up. Since that first time, we’ve made this recipe probably 8-9 times. Everyone who has had this chicken loves it. And I love how easy it is to make – gotta love the crockpot doing all the hard work!
Be warned, if you’re a spice wimp like me, this might be a smidge on the spicey side for you. For everyone else, it’ll be amazing though. That’s the chipotles for you!
One Year Ago: Sesame Crisps and Spaghetti Squash with Spinach and Raisins
Two Years Ago: Crockpot Beef and Peppers and Creme Brulee
Three Years Ago: Cranberry Applesauce
Crockpot Pulled Chicken – as seen on Apple A Day, originally from Eating Well – serves 8-10
Printable Recipe
1 (14 oz.) can tomato sauce
2-3 chipotle chiles in adobo, finely minced
1/4 cup cider vinegar
3 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp plus 2 tsp smoked paprika
2 Tbsp tomato paste
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
3 tsp dry mustard
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp salt
3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs and breasts, trimmed of fat
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
Stir tomato sauce, chiles, vinegar, honey, paprika, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, chili powder and salt in a 6-quart slow cooker until smooth. Add chicken, onion and garlic; stir to combine.
Put the lid on and cook on low until the chicken can be pulled apart, about 5-6 hours.
Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and shred with a fork. Return the chicken to the sauce, stir well and serve.







I am Jen the Beantown Baker. Engineer by day and baking maven by night. Hubby serves as my #1 fan and official taste tester. We got hitched back in 2006. Barefoot. In the sand. With the waves crashing behind us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. 


I am obsessed with your crockpot chicken tacos and am sure this is going to be another favorite crockpot chicken recipe in our house!
P.S. I had a cake craving last night and jumped on your blog to look up cupcake recipes… you have 101 cupcake recipes?!!
beantownbaker — February 24th, 2011 @ 9:03 pm
Yea… about those cupcakes. I went through a phase at the beginning of my blog. And I’ve been blogging 3.5 years, so that’s really only about 30/year…
I think I would LOVE this recipe! Bret loves pulled chicken and I love slow cooker recipes!
Yum, my husband would totally love this!!
Sounds delicious and perfect for leaving in the pot before work and coming home to wonderfully cooked chicken. Can’t wait to try it!
I love this kind of stuff. We had beef dip sandwiches last night. SO GOOD. I bet we’ve love this too!
Sounds delicious, but I’m sure I’d have to just add one of those chiles
Yay! I love Pulled chicken sandwiches, I’m so glad you shared this recipe.
Nothing bad about pulled chicken. Nothing. Love all the flavors that the chicken was simmering in. Bet this was awesome!
This is the first time I’ve seen someone else use an Eating Well recipe! I like.
Also, this chicken looks fabulous and easy….nice work.
These look awesome and so easy to make! I love spicy pulled chicken and I love anything that you can just throw in the crockpot. Can’t wait to try them!
My husband and I made this last night for dinner and it was absolutely delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Has anyone tried freezing this? I dont eat meat, but I am thinking about making this for my husband but there is no way he could eat a whole pot to himself.
beantownbaker — May 7th, 2012 @ 10:10 am
Like most crockpot meals, this meat freezes just fine. I like to portion it out into individual sized portions prior to freezing so you can just grab one and go.