Slow Cooker Root Beer Chicken

Jun 27, 2024

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Coming up with an easy dinner for busy nights is easier than ever with this Slow Cooker Root Beer Chicken recipe. It’s a main course dish that adds a fun twist to traditional chicken the whole family is sure to enjoy.

Easily create a full course meal by adding my delicious Slow Cooker Root Beer Baked Beans. These also pair well with Slow Cooker Root Beer Pulled Pork.

overhead shot of slow cooker root beer chicken.

Why this root beer chicken recipe works

If you love root beer, you can’t go wrong with using it to create an awesome recipe. Because it has so much flavor, you won’t need many other ingredients, which is another plus. For this particular chicken recipe, all you need is a can of root beer and a bottle of Sweet Baby Rays barbecue sauce.

As for the seasonings, you’ll use pantry staples like garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper to create a flavor that is sure to keep you and your family wanting more. We also make Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Wings.

Recipe Ingredients

ingredients for slow cooker root beer chicken on a table.

Chicken: I prefer to use boneless skinless chicken thighs because they are more flavorful and shred just as easily as other chicken cuts. Be sure to go for a pack that is well-trimmed of fat. Though you can use chicken breast if desired. We also love to make Hawaiian Chicken Sliders.
Barbecue Sauce: Sweet Baby Rays is one of the most popular barbecue sauces used for slow cooking. You can use your favorite barbecue sauce though!
Root Beer: You can use a brand of your choice; however, I use and recommend A&W.
Seasonings: A combination of onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and dried oregano is used to season the chicken prior to cooking.

Step-by-Step Directions

six images showing how to make slow cooker root beer chicken.

Step One – Place the chicken thighs into the slow cooker.

Step Two – Sprinkle the oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne over the chicken.

Step Three – Pour over the bbq sauce.

Step Four – Pour over the root beer.

Step Five – Cover and cook on LOW for 7 hours.

Step Six – Shred chicken with two forks. Serve and enjoy!

overhead shot of root beer chicken in a slow cooker.

How to serve

Use this delicious root beer bbq chicken for sandwiches. You can use hamburger buns, hoagie buns, or even sub bread.
You can also serve a helping of the root beer chicken over white rice, a bed of mashed potatoes, or on tortilla chips.
Give your salad a twist by adding some of this chicken on top as well.

Recipes FAQs

What other cuts of chicken can be used?

Pretty much any cut of chicken you have on hand will work fine in this recipe, such as Chicken drumsticks, boneless skinless chicken breasts, bone-in thighs or breasts, chicken tenderloins, and chicken wings. Whatever you use, you must thaw your chicken first, frozen chicken is not recommended.

Can I use a whole chicken?

If you use a whole chicken, make sure it is thawed completely and cook until no pink is left, I suggest 8 hours on low for a whole chicken. The temperature for any chicken should be above 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Do I have to use A&W root beer?

Using that brand is just a personal preference, but you can use any kind you’d like. You can use regular root beer or use a sugar free root beer (like a diet root beer).

Is there a cooking difference if I use chicken wings?

If you want to use chicken wings in this recipe you won’t need to cook more than 5 hours on low. Beware that chicken wings in the slow cooker fall apart very easily, tasty but messy.

How do I store leftover shredded chicken?

Place any leftover chicken in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

What are some good topping suggestions for making bbq chicken sandwiches?

Lettuce, sliced tomato and onion, jalapenos, and dollops of mayo, ketchup, and mustard would taste great with this chicken.

serving of slow cooker root beer chicken on a bun.

More Soda and Beer slow cooker recipes on the blog:

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Slow Cooker Root Beer Chicken

4.75 from 20 votes

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 7

Servings:

By: Sarah Olson

Tender chicken thighs cooked with barbecue sauce and root beer. A great choice instead of grilling

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How to Video

Equipment

Slow Cooker – 3 quart or larger

Ingredients

▢ 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken thighs, well trimmed of fat
▢ ¼ tsp. dried oregano
▢ ¼ tsp. garlic powder
▢ ¼ tsp. onion powder
▢ 1 ½ cups barbecue sauce, I use Sweet Baby Rays Original
▢ 12 oz. can Root Beer, I use A & W
▢ ⅛ tsp. cayenne pepper

Instructions

Add the chicken to the slow cooker.
Sprinkle over the oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne over the chicken
Pour over the barbecue sauce,
Pour over the root beer.
Cover and cook on low for 7 hours.
Shred chicken with 2 forks and serve over buns or rice.

Sarah’s Notes

What other cuts of chicken can be used in this recipe?

Chicken drumsticks
Boneless skinless chicken breast
Bone-in thighs or breasts
Chicken tenderloins
Whole chicken (more time)
Chicken wings (less time)

Pretty much any cut of chicken you have on hand will work fine in this recipe.

If you use a whole chicken make sure it is thawed completely and cook until no pink is left, I suggest 8 hours on low for a whole chicken.

If you want to use chicken wings in this recipe you won’t need to cook more than 5-6 hours on low. Beware that chicken wings in the slow cooker fall apart very easily, very tasty but very messy.

Place any leftover chicken in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.