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crock pot bbq chicken tenders plated with sides

Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Tenders

Crock pot BBQ chicken tenders are tender, juicy, and full of sweet-smoky flavor. A dump-and-go slow cooker dinner everyone will love.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 270
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 –2 lbs Chicken tenders Fresh or thawed
  • 1 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1 tsp Onion powder
  • 0.5 tsp Smoked paprika Optional adds smoky flavor
  • To taste Salt and black pepper
  • 0.75 –1 cup BBQ sauce Your favorite brand or homemade
  • 1 tbsp Apple cider vinegar Optional enhances depth of flavor

Equipment

  • 1 Crock Pot 4- to 6-quart recommended
  • 1 Basting brush For final BBQ glaze
  • 1 Baking Sheet Optional, for broiling step

Method
 

  1. Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels.
    patting chicken tenders dry with paper towels
  2. Mix garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
  3. Rub spice blend evenly over all chicken tenders.
  4. Place tenders into crock pot in a single layer.
    placing seasoned chicken tenders in crock pot
  5. Stir vinegar (optional) into BBQ sauce, then pour over chicken.
  6. Cover and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours or HIGH for 2 hours.
    crock pot set to low cooking bbq chicken tenders
  7. Optional: Transfer tenders to foil-lined baking sheet, brush with extra BBQ sauce, and broil for 3–5 minutes.
  8. Serve hot, with more sauce if desired.
    crock pot bbq chicken tenders served with sides

Notes

Don’t oversauce at the beginning, chicken releases moisture during cooking.
Use broil method for a crisp, caramelized BBQ finish.
These reheat well for leftovers or meal prep and freeze beautifully.