Slow Cooker Root Beer Chicken

By Sarah Olson

64 Comments

Jun 27, 2024

Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

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.
Save Recipe
Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

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.
slow cooker root beer chicken on a bun.

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:

Want to make more magic in your crockpot? Stay up to date and subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.

slow cooker root beer chicken on a bun.

Slow Cooker Root Beer Chicken

4.75 from 20 votes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 7 hours
Servings: 8
By: Sarah Olson
Tender chicken thighs cooked with barbecue sauce and root beer. A great choice instead of grilling
Rate Pin Print

How to Video

Equipment

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 246kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 108mg | Sodium: 657mg | Potassium: 402mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 180IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1.3mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

Made this recipe? Leave a comment below!

Other recipes you may like

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




64 Comments

  1. Claudette Ralls says:

    this looks delicious and I definately am going to try this.

    Reply
  2. Dina says:

    5 stars
    THANK YOU! I am making this week…I need the Ray’s bbq sauce. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE SAUCE! I already RATED 5 because it looked so so good! ALL the ingedients are easy and tasty! I can’t wait til my son tries it!

    Reply
  3. Dennis says:

    5 stars
    This is a great recipe and about as easy as it gets. Thanks Sarah.

    Reply
  4. Jim says:

    can you use ginger ale

    Reply
    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Yes! Will work great.

      Reply
  5. Kae says:

    How long would you recommend to cook it on the high setting?

    Reply
    1. Sarah Olson says:

      3.5 – 4 hours.

      Reply
  6. Intan says:

    Is it suitable for toddler’s dinner as well? Without chayenne for sure. But soubting about the root beer. Has anyone experienced?

    Reply
  7. Bryan H says:

    5 stars
    My family absolutely loves this, I have made it 3 times now and it has turned out great each time.thanks so much for so a simple yet very tasty recipe.

    Reply
  8. Eric Gerard Stump says:

    Can coke be used instead.

    Reply
    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Yes! would work great.

      Reply
    2. Tricia says:

      Good. I wondered what root beer was. Don’t think we get that in Scotland?

      Reply
      1. Karyn says:

        Ha, so cute! Root beer is a super sweet cola – root beer floats with vanilla ice cream used to be a popular dessert 🙂

      2. Edna Hawk says:

        Lived on root beer floats when had stage 4 ovarian cancer, still love it.

      3. Doug Rector says:

        5 stars
        Google says similar to Dandelion & Burdock , but root beer is available – just rare.

      4. Kathleen G says:

        You could try Irn Bru. It’s not the same but definitely has a personality (from US but visited Scotland and tried it).

  9. Jennifer says:

    For a low sugar diet, is it possible to use a stevia based root beer, like zevia or would it greatly change the taste? Thanks! Looks yummy!

    Reply
    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I have not tried, if you do try let me know.

      Reply
  10. Tim G says:

    Question: Is Diet Root Beer OK to use in this?

    Reply
    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I am unsure Tim. It would be hard to say without trying it. Sorry!

      Reply
    2. Kevin L. Crawford says:

      I may try this using Virgil’s Zero Sugar Root Beer. Looks amazing

      Reply
      1. Anonymous says:

        Dear Sarah,
        Hello,it is Mary i was the person who had requested the Barbeque Chicken Sliders Recipoe. It looks great. My husband is a Diabetic do I have to use the Root beer? How do you think it will taste without the rootbeer? Thank you,Mary

      2. Sarah Olson says:

        Hi Mary! You do not have to use it, it will be great without!