Trust me, nothing beats walking into your house after a long day and being greeted by the mouthwatering smell of slow cooker cherry BBQ chicken. This recipe has been my go-to for years—it’s that perfect combo of sweet, smoky, and tangy that makes everyone at the table ask for seconds. The cherry preserves add a fruity twist to classic BBQ flavors, and the best part? It practically cooks itself while you go about your day. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just want leftovers for easy lunches, this slow cooker cherry BBQ chicken never lets me down. Just toss everything in, let it work its magic, and boom—dinner’s done!
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Cherry BBQ Chicken
Alright, let’s talk ingredients—this is where the magic starts! The beauty of this recipe is how simple the shopping list is, but every single thing plays a role in building those layers of flavor. You probably have most of this in your pantry already. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)—trust me, thighs work too if you prefer them!
- 1 cup cherry preserves (the good stuff, no sugar-free shortcuts here—this is where that sweet-tart punch comes from)
- ½ cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand, but smoky or hickory flavors work best)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (just a splash to balance the sweetness)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (because everything’s better with garlic)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder (for a little depth)
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (this is the secret—don’t skip it!)
- Salt and pepper to taste (start with a pinch of each—you can adjust later)
See? Nothing fancy, just a handful of ingredients that transform into something seriously delicious. Now, let’s get cooking!
How to Make Slow Cooker Cherry BBQ Chicken
Okay, here’s where things get ridiculously easy—I’m not joking when I say this is a dump-and-go recipe! But there are a few little tricks I’ve learned over the years to make sure it turns out perfect every time.
First, grab your trusty slow cooker (mine’s a little beat-up, but it gets the job done). Toss in those chicken breasts—no need to fuss with trimming, they’ll be fall-apart tender anyway. Now, here comes the fun part: whisk together the cherry preserves, BBQ sauce, vinegar, and all those spices in a bowl. Don’t be shy—really get in there and mix until it’s smooth and glossy. That’s your magic sauce right there!
Pour it over the chicken, making sure every piece gets coated (I sometimes flip them halfway through cooking if I’m feeling fancy). Then just slap on the lid—no peeking! Set it to LOW for 4-5 hours or HIGH for 2-3 if you’re in a hurry. Your house will start smelling like a BBQ joint in about an hour—fair warning!
When the timer goes off, grab two forks and shred that chicken right in the pot. The sauce will have thickened beautifully, clinging to every juicy bite. Oh, and if yours looks a tad thin? No worries—just give it a quick simmer uncovered for 10 minutes while you set the table. Dinner is served!
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Cherry BBQ Chicken
Okay, let me count the ways this recipe will become your new weeknight hero—I could rave about it all day, but here are the highlights:
- Effortless magic: Literally dump everything in and walk away. Come home to a meal that looks like you slaved over it (your secret’s safe with me).
- That sweet-smoky-tangy trifecta: The cherry preserves and BBQ sauce create this addictive flavor that’ll have everyone scraping their plates.
- Meal prep MVP: Makes killer leftovers—toss it on salads, stuff it in sandwiches, or pile it on nachos. It gets even better the next day!
- Crowd-pleaser approved: Picky kids? Hangry spouse? Potluck panic? This dish checks all the boxes without breaking a sweat.
- Pantry power: Uses ingredients you likely already have—no last-minute grocery runs needed.
Seriously, it’s the kind of recipe that makes you feel like a genius with minimal effort. Win-win!
Tips for Perfect Slow Cooker Cherry BBQ Chicken
After making this recipe more times than I can count, I’ve picked up a few tricks to nail it every time. First, taste your BBQ sauce before adding it—some brands run sweeter than others. If yours is already sugary, ease up on the cherry preserves by a tablespoon or two. Want a kick? A pinch of cayenne or a dash of hot sauce does wonders without overpowering the cherry flavor.
And here’s my golden rule: don’t lift the lid! Every peek adds 15 minutes to your cook time. Trust the process—low and slow wins the race with this one.
Serving Suggestions for Slow Cooker Cherry BBQ Chicken
Oh, the possibilities! My favorite way? Piled high on a toasted brioche bun with crunchy coleslaw—it’s messy in the best way. For something lighter, try it over fluffy jasmine rice or creamy mashed potatoes (hello, comfort food!). Leftovers? Toss it into tacos or melt it into quesadillas. Seriously, this stuff goes with everything!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Leftovers? No problem! Store this cherry BBQ chicken in an airtight container—it’ll keep beautifully in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, I prefer the stovetop (just splash in a tablespoon of water and warm gently), but the microwave works in a pinch—30 second bursts with stirring in between does the trick.
Nutritional Information for Slow Cooker Cherry BBQ Chicken
Here’s the skinny on this delicious dish—each serving (about 1 chicken breast with sauce) clocks in around 320 calories, with 26g protein, 38g carbs (28g from natural sugars), and 6g fat. Keep in mind, these numbers can vary based on your specific BBQ sauce brand or how much sauce you spoon over—but hey, it’s way better than drive-thru!
Frequently Asked Questions About Slow Cooker Cherry BBQ Chicken
Over the years, I’ve gotten so many questions about this recipe—and I love sharing my tried-and-true fixes! Here are the ones that pop up most often:
Can I use frozen chicken breasts? Absolutely! Just add an extra 30-60 minutes to your cook time. Pro tip: thaw them halfway first if you can—it helps the sauce cling better.
What if I can’t find cherry preserves? No sweat! Raspberry or blackberry jam works great in a pinch, though the flavor will shift slightly. Or try half apricot preserves + half cranberry sauce for that sweet-tart balance.
My slow cooker runs hot—how do I adjust? Mine does too! I start checking at 3 hours on LOW—the chicken should shred easily with no pink inside. If it’s drying out, stir in ¼ cup chicken broth.
Can I make this in the oven instead? Sure thing! Bake at 325°F for about 45 minutes in a covered dish—just baste occasionally so it stays juicy.
Is this recipe freezer-friendly? Oh yes! Portion it out in freezer bags (sauce and all) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Go Ahead—Give This Cherry BBQ Chicken a Try!
I’m telling you, this recipe’s a game-changer—so easy, so flavorful, so downright addictive. Once you taste that sweet-smoky sauce clinging to tender chicken, you’ll be hooked just like I was. Make it this week, then come back and tell me how it turned out! (Or better yet, tag me in your pics—I live for those saucy success stories!)
PrintSlow Cooker Cherry BBQ Chicken Will Blow Your Mind
A simple and flavorful slow cooker recipe for Cherry BBQ Chicken, perfect for easy dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup cherry preserves
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
- In a bowl, mix cherry preserves, BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours.
- Shred or slice the chicken before serving.
Notes
- Serve with rice, mashed potatoes, or sandwiches.
- Adjust sweetness by adding more or less cherry preserves.
- For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
