BBQ Bone In Chicken Breasts with Red Potatoes and Onions

This easy slow cooker BBQ chicken recipe is a comforting one-pot dinner made with tender bone-in chicken breasts, red potatoes, red onion, barbecue sauce, and chicken broth. With only five simple ingredients, this crockpot chicken and potatoes recipe is ideal for busy weeknights, family dinners, potlucks, or relaxed weekend meals.

The chicken cooks slowly until juicy and tender, while the potatoes soak up the sweet and smoky barbecue sauce. Red onions become soft and flavorful, creating a complete meal with very little preparation.

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

• Easy 5-ingredient dinner: Simple pantry and grocery-store ingredients.
• One-pot meal: Chicken, potatoes, and onions cook together in the slow cooker.
• Great for busy days: Minimal prep time and no need to stand over the stove.
• Family-friendly flavor: Sweet, tangy barbecue sauce makes this recipe appealing to both adults and kids.
• Budget-friendly: Bone-in chicken breasts and potatoes make a filling meal without expensive ingredients.
• Perfect for leftovers: Leftover BBQ chicken is delicious in sandwiches, wraps, salads, or rice bowls.

Ingredients

• 3 to 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts, about 1.2 to 1.4 kg total
• 450 g small red potatoes, cut into thick wedges
• 1 large red onion, cut into thick wedges
• 240 ml barbecue sauce
• 60 ml low-sodium chicken broth or water
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Lightly grease the inside of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker with oil or nonstick cooking spray.
2. Wash the red potatoes well and cut them into thick wedges. Peel the red onion if desired, then cut it into large wedges.
3. Arrange the potato wedges and red onion evenly in the bottom of the slow cooker.
4. Pat the bone-in chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and black pepper if desired.
5. Place the chicken breasts bone-side down over the potatoes and onions.
6. In a small bowl, mix the barbecue sauce with the chicken broth or water until smooth.
7. Pour the barbecue sauce mixture evenly over the chicken, potatoes, and onions.
8. Cover and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 74°C and the potatoes are fork-tender.
9. Carefully remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker. Stir the potatoes and onions gently in the barbecue cooking juices.
10. Serve each chicken breast with a generous portion of BBQ potatoes and onions. Spoon extra sauce over the top before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this slow cooker chicken breast dinner with a crisp green salad, homemade coleslaw, steamed corn, baked beans, or fresh tomato and cucumber slices. Warm dinner rolls, cornbread, or crusty bread are also perfect for soaking up the barbecue sauce.

Variations and Helpful Tips

For a different flavor, use honey mustard sauce, smoky barbecue sauce, or a mild spicy barbecue sauce. Bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks can also be used instead of chicken breasts; cook them on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or until fully cooked.

For a lighter meal, remove the chicken skin after cooking. You can also add apple slices for a sweet barbecue flavor or a pinch of red pepper flakes for gentle heat.

Always use fully thawed chicken in the slow cooker. Check that the thickest part of the chicken reaches 74°C before serving. Store leftovers in the refrigerator within two hours and enjoy within 3 to 4 days.