Spice up your dinner routine with this easy and delicious Slow Cooker Root Beer Chicken. It's a simple yet flavorful way to make chicken that combines the sweet and spicy notes of root beer with tender, slow-cooked chicken, perfect for an easy and delicious meal and delicious served on a sandwich!
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Root beer is a sweet, carbonated beverage traditionally made with sassafras or sarsaparilla roots and a blend of spices, herbs, and sweeteners. It's known for its unique, slightly vanilla-like, and spicy flavor profile. And while it's mostly used as a beverage, it pairs beautifully with tender chicken breast!
🍗Why Cook Chicken With Root Beer?
- Root beer adds a sweet and unique depth to chicken, giving the usual savory taste a twist.
- The carbonation and acidity in root beer help tenderize the chicken, making it incredibly juicy and tender.
- Using root beer is an easy way to introduce a fun, unexpected flavor into a classic dish, making mealtime more exciting.
- Root beer pairs well with common barbecue seasonings, enhancing the overall taste of the chicken with its unique blend of spices.
- Chicken cooked in root beer is great for adults and kids, making it an excellent option for family meals or gatherings.
This recipe uses the slow cooker to make the best root beer chicken. Not only does the crock pot cook the chicken all in one pot, but the carbonation in the soda will help tenderize the meat with flavor while it's cooking low and slow for an incredibly tasty protein. And it's easy to prepare! Add the root beer-infused BBQ sauce into the crock pot, lay the chicken on top to coat, and slow cook until tender. Shred it up and mix it back into the sauce, and it's ready for sandwich buns or your favorite side dishes.
Roor beer chicken is great for any event, from family dinners to BBQs. It pairs well with many sides. Try it in sandwiches, with rice or mashed potatoes, or in a salad. It's easy to make and fits into any dinner rotation!
🥘Root Beer Chicken Ingredients
- Chicken Breast - The star of the dish, chicken breast provides a lean, protein-rich base that absorbs the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Root Beer (A&W) - Adds a unique sweetness and depth, with its caramel and spice notes complementing the savory chicken.
- Barbeque Sauce - Offers a rich, tangy, and smoky flavor, creating a perfect balance with the sweetness of the root beer.
- Mustard Powder - Adds subtle heat and complexity, enhancing the overall savory profile of the dish.
- Minced Garlic - Adds a punch of aromatic flavor, giving the dish an extra layer of depth and warmth.
- Onion Powder - Brings a slight sweetness and earthiness, contributing to the rich and rounded taste of the sauce.
- Black Pepper - Provides mild heat, rounding off the dish's flavor profile.
🔪How To Make Slow Cooker Root Beer Chicken
Mix the sauce: To the bottom of a slow cooker, add the root beer, barbecue sauce, onion powder, mustard powder, garlic, and black pepper. Use a whisk to fully incorporate the ingredients.
Coat the chicken: Trim any excess fat off of the chicken breast. Pat dry with paper towels, then place it into the slow cooker and use tongs to coat the chicken in the root beer sauce.
Cover and cook: Add the lid to the top and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 2½-3½ hours.
Shred chicken: Remove it from the crock pot once the chicken is cooked through and tender. Use two forks to shred it, then add it back into the crock pot and fully mix it into the sauce.
Serve and enjoy: Spoon the shredded chicken onto sandwich buns or serve with your favorite side dishes. Enjoy!
💭Cooking Tips
- Pat the chicken breasts dry before adding them to the slow cooker to prevent excess moisture, ensuring a richer sauce consistency.
- Place chicken in a single layer in the slow cooker to ensure each piece is thoroughly coated and cooks evenly.
- Opt for the longer, low-temperature cooking option if time allows; this gentle process makes the chicken incredibly tender.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F, especially if cooking on the high setting.
- Let the cooked chicken rest for a few minutes before shredding to keep it juicy and flavorful.
- Shred the chicken in the slow cooker itself to let it soak up more sauce, enhancing the flavor.
- Taste the sauce after cooking and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding a bit more pepper or garlic for a personal touch.
📖Variations & Serving Suggestions
- Add a dash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper to the root beer mixture for a spicy kick that contrasts beautifully with the sweetness.
- Use a sugar-free root beer and a low-sugar barbecue sauce for a healthier version that maintains the dish's unique flavor.
- Introduce fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for an aromatic dimension, adding them in the last hour of cooking.
- Squeeze in some fresh orange or lemon juice for a citrusy tang that brightens up the rich flavors.
- Serve the shredded chicken over creamy mashed potatoes or polenta bed to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Experiment by swapping root beer with a dark stout or ginger beer for a different but equally intriguing flavor profile.
- Top the root beer chicken sandwiches with a crisp coleslaw for added crunch and a fresh counterbalance to the rich flavors.
🌡️Storing & Freezing
Storing: Store cooled chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat either in a microwave or on the stovetop. Add a splash of water or chicken broth if needed.
Freezing: Once cooled, portion the chicken into freezer-safe bags or containers. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. For best results, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can use different sodas like cola or ginger beer for a unique flavor profile.
No, browning the chicken isn't necessary for this recipe. The slow cooking process will thoroughly cook the chicken and infuse it with flavor from the sauce.
If the sauce is too thin, remove the chicken and set the slow cooker on high with the lid off to reduce the sauce. Alternatively, you can mix in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with one tablespoon water) and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes to thicken it.
To make this in an Instant Pot, use the sauté function to combine the sauce ingredients, then add the chicken and cook on high pressure for about 10 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally before shredding the chicken in the sauce, as you would in a slow cooker.
🍗More Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes
- Crock Pot No Peek Chicken
- Crock Pot Pulled BBQ Chicken
- Crock Pot Chicken and Broccoli
- Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos
- Slow Cooker Raspberry Chicken
- Crock Pot Smothered Chicken
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Slow Cooker Root Beer Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup root beer (I used A&W)
- 1½ cups barbecue sauce
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp mustard powder
- 3 tsp garlic (minced)
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- In a 6-quart slow cooker add root beer, barbecue sauce, onion powder, mustard powder, garlic, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Place chicken in sauce and completely coat.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 2½-3½ hours.
- Shred chicken with two forks in the slow cookers and mix into the sauce.
- Serve on your favorite buns and enjoy!
Notes
- Chicken thighs provide a consistently tender and flavorful option compared to ordinary boneless, skinless chicken breasts. While they do contain slightly more fat and calories due to their higher fat content, they offer a richer taste experience.
- If the sauce is too thin, remove the chicken and set the slow cooker on high with the lid off to reduce the sauce. Alternatively, you can mix in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with one tablespoon water) and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes to thicken it.
- Shred the chicken in the slow cooker itself to let it soak up more sauce, enhancing the flavor.
Nutrition
*Nutrition information is an estimate. It may vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact ingredient numbers, I recommend calculating them with your preferred nutrition calculator.
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