Seven Easy Weeknight Recipe Ideas with One Batch of Crock Pot Chicken BBQ

Easy Crock Pot Chicken BBQ

Before we jump into the seven recipe ideas, let’s talk cooking chicken bbq in a slow cooker. I’ve used THIS RECIPE for years and it is absolutely divine. If this doesn’t make it into your regular dinner repertoire, I don’t know what will. The only modifications I make are:

• The recipe calls for six breasts; if making a small batch, I use two breasts and half the sauce/ingredients. If making a full batch, I use four breasts and the total sauce/ingredients.
• Light Italian dressing is 100% a-ok (that’s what I use)
• I cook on low but start checking after about four hours. Take a wooden spatula and press down on the chicken. If it starts falling apart and is shred-able, I finish shredding and consider it “done”. For my crock pot, eight hours, even on ‘low’ would be far too long.

Here’s a peek of a batch with only two breasts; it goes a long way.

Once you have your batch of chicken bbq, maybe you do want to start off with some classic sandwiches. Even so, here are some follow-up bbq based recipes that will keep your dinners exciting for the rest of the week. You’ll see I’ve used a lot of repeat ingredients which will also help with that grocery store bill 😉

1. Chicken BBQ Salad

Here’s your warning- you are going to see a lot of ranch dressing in these recipes haha. Yes, it is optional but you haven’t lived until you’ve mixed bbq sauce with a good ranch dressing- if you’re looking for the best, next to homemade, you have to try the Naturally Fresh in the jar. You can find it in the refrigerated area of produce section at your local grocery store. Or, you can be “good” and skip it but the Naturally Fresh is on the thinner side so it goes a long way. At least do yourself a favor and try some on the side 😉

Your shredded chicken bbq will also go a long way in this salad so start off modestly and don’t feel like you have to load it down.

Serve this for dinner or lunch; it literally involves throwing the ingredients in a bowl and is delicious.

Ingredients:

• Chicken BBQ
• Lettuce
• Shredded Cheddar
• Bell Pepper
• Purple Onion
• Corn
• Green Onion
• Ranch Dressing

Instructions:

• Dice, chop, and dice some more. You won’t mess this one up 😉

2. Chicken BBQ Stuffed Jalapenos 

Jalepenos aren’t just for Tex-Mex; the sweetness of the bbq and the spiciness of the peppers make the perfect meal. Serve with rice, black beans, or all on their own. They even make brilliant little appetizers.

Ingredients:

• Chicken BBQ
• Large Jalapeno Peppers
• Shredded Cheddar
• Bell Pepper (optional)
• Purple Onion
• Green Onion
• Ranch Dressing (for dipping)

Instructions:

• Cut the ends off the jalapenos and slice vertically. Scoop out the seed and insides and rinse. 
• Spoon a small amount of chicken bbq into the pepper “boat”
• Add preferred diced veggies (sparingly)
• Top with cheese
• Bake at 425 degrees for est. 10 minutes. When peppers start to brown and wrinkle, they are done.
• Serve with a side of ranch dressing, dip, and enjoy!

3. Chicken BBQ Quesadilla

Here’s another take on a Tex-Mex favorite. I first tried bbq chicken quesadillas, working at a restaurant back in high school. One of the cooks would prepare one for me for dinner on occasion and while it wasn’t on the menu, it should have been! A half a lifetime later and I’ve evolved the original into one of my favorite dishes.

Ingredients:

• Flour tortillas 
• Chicken BBQ
• Shredded Cheddar
• 1/4 Cup Bell Pepper (per quesadilla)
• 1/4 Cup Onion (per quesadilla)
• Ranch Dressing

Instructions:

• Heat a small amount of extra virgin olive oil in pan on medium
• Dice and saute bell pepper and onion over medium heat, until they begin to brown. Set aside.
• In large pan, melt a small amount of butter
• On one flour tortilla, add a thin, evenly spread layer of chicken. Add peppers and onions. Sprinkle with cheese. Place a second tortilla on top.
• Transfer to the pan and cook over medium heat. Flip after one to two minutes. Cheese should be thoroughly melted. Repeat on second side.
• Remove, slice, and serve with a side of ranch dressing for dipping.

4. Chicken BBQ Baked Potato

I call this the “Friday Night Special” – it’s the perfect comfort food and treat to celebrate the end of the week but is uber simple to pull together.

Ingredients:

• Baked Potato
• Chicken BBQ
• BBQ Sauce
• Sour Cream
• Butter
• Shredded Cheddar
• Green Onion
• Salt & Pepper (to taste)

Instructions:

• Wash and scrub potato and rub with olive oil and salt. Pierce with a fork at least three times, place on a cookie sheet and bake at 425 for around an hour. Remove from the oven and check to see if potato is tender.
• Add butter (I use the I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter spray)
• Add chicken bbq
• Add cheese
• Add dollop of sour cream
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper
• Top with diced green onions
• Add a little extra bbq sauce
• Mix together and enjoy

5. Chicken BBQ Stuffed Crescent Rolls

My motto- you can stuff crescent rolls with anything and make them into a little meal but chicken bbq may be my favorite!

Ingredients:

• Large Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
• Chicken BBQ
• Bread Crumbs
• Butter (I use I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter spray)
• Shredded Cheddar
• 1/2 Bell Pepper
• 1/2 Purple Onion
• Ranch Dressing

Instructions:

• Dice bell peppers and onion
• Unroll (and lightly stretch) crescent roll dough triangles
• Spoon small amount of chicken bbq onto dough
• Top with peppers, onions, and cheese
• Wrap the triangles closed 
• Spray tops of crescent rolls with butter (or baste with melted butter)
• Sprinkle bread crumbs on top
• Place on baking sheet and bake according to directions (est. 18 minutes)
• Serve with a side of ranch dressing for dipping

6. Chicken BBQ Nachos

I discovered these when I was trying to clean out the fridge one day and now make them intentionally. These are great for dinner on their own but also as an appetizer or weekend snack.

Ingredients:

• Tortilla Chips
• Chicken BBQ
• Lettuce (optional)
• Shredded Cheddar
• Bell Pepper
• Purple Onion
• Green Onion
• Ranch Dressing
• BBQ Sauce

Instructions:

• Arrange a generous layer of tortilla chips on a baking pan/cookie sheet
• Top evenly with chicken bbq and add diced bell pepper and purple onion. Sprinkle cheese on top.
• Bake at 375 until cheese is melted
• Add diced green onion
• Drizzle bbq sauce and ranch dressing on top and enjoy!

7. Chicken BBQ Lettuce Wraps

If you are looking to go a little lighter (or maybe even another option while others in your family go the sandwich route) you won’t even miss the bread in these chicken bbq lettuce wraps.

Ingredients:

• Chicken BBQ
• Large Green Leaf Lettuce
• Bell Pepper
• Green Onion
• Ranch Dressing

Instructions:

• Wash and dry individual lettuce leaves and discard the stalk at the bottom. 
• Fill with chicken bbq and top with peppers and onions
• Roll and dip in ranch dressing

I’ve had this post concept in my back pocket for a long time and if you love it, we will totally do more 😉 Here’s to some creative, budget friendly, delicious weeknight dinners in our future! Sign up at the bottom of the post and never miss any meal or project ideas.

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Other Crock Pot Recipes You May Enjoy

• Chicken Tortilla Soup (& Crock Pot Mexican Chicken)
• Crock Pot Chicken n’ Dumplings
• Crock Pot Mac & Cheese