This Crock Pot Sugar Free Keto BBQ Chicken Recipe is the best way to feed a crowd or enjoy an easy Low Carb Keto meal! Slow cooker or instant pot cooking methods included!
Easy Pulled Barbecue Chicken Recipe
I love nothing more than to make a crock pot recipe in the morning and come home to smell a fantastic dinner waiting for us. Little effort equals big reward. Those are my kind of meals! These chicken thighs can be served one of two ways.
Enjoy as is coming right of the crock pot full of all this amazing barbecue sauce and tender chicken.
Add a simple side and dinner is done. Or shred the chicken thighs as you would for a pulled pork recipe and some Italian style coleslaw you've got a delicious low carb meal the whole family will love. You might also enjoy adding some Keto Fathead Rolls to this delicious pulled chicken meal.
Sugar Free BBQ Pulled Chicken
I did just that when I made this for my family. My recipe for the sugar free BBQ came from my Crock Pot BBQ Baby Back Rib recipe.
I knew it would be fantastic on chicken thighs so I went ahead with the idea for easy pulled chicken in the crock pot. Did the kids love it? Absolutely! Did the picky hubby who doesn't love sugar free much love it? Oh yes he did!
Keto BBQ Pulled Chicken & Side Dishes
There are many different ways to enjoy this keto chicken recipe!
One of the easiest way to serve this easy recipe is over a bowl of Italian Style keto coleslaw.
I made if for the kids in a little low carb tortilla wrap as a burrito. My oldest, the picky teen, let me put some coleslaw in the burrito because I told him how incredible the crunchy slaw with the tender chicken would be.
You could also make bbq chicken sandwiches by serving in a low carb bun or another great option is with keto cornbread or even over cauliflower rice.
My oldest ate it but wasn't a fan of the slaw. However you decide to enjoy this crockpot bbq chicken, this is a great keto low carb crowd pleaser recipe!
Kids right? They will love different foods as they age I guess, just as I did. I didn't care much, more slaw for me and the hubby! So tasty and no guilt, all low carb and sugar-free!
My favorite way to serve this juicy chicken is in a bowl like this above worked and I'd eat it like that all day long.
This recipe was originally posted in April of 2015 and I decided to bring it out of the archives for the summer with a brand new video to showcase this awesome recipe!
STORE-BOUGHT SUGAR FREE KETO BBQ SAUCE AND SUGAR FREE KETCHUP
If you want to skip all the seasonings and ingredients for the low carb BBQ sauce, you can certainly just buy it on Amazon or your local grocery store.
Just be sure to check the ingredients for added sugar and inflammatory oils like canola oil or soybean oil.
If you don't have time to make my homemade sugar free ketchup recipe for this easy sugar free barbecue sauce recipe then the best option is to buy a good brand that uses great ingredients.
I recommend Primal Kitchen Sugar-Free BBQ sauce and Ketchup as the best store bought option and they also have lots of great condiments and dressings with a great ingredient list of good quality oils.
Swapping Sugar Free Low Carb Sweeteners
I used clear liquid stevia for this recipe, but you can use any low carb sweetener you like.
Allulose would be another option, but again it isn't as sweet as using the Better than Sugar sweetener. Allulose comes in a liquid, and granulated form.
I've found this product that combines Allulose and Monk Fruit Sweetener and it does have a brown sugar sweetener, though I've not tested this product in this low carb sauce.
My updated Sweetener Conversion chart will provide you the ultimate guide into all the natural sweeteners to use as opposed to artificial sweeteners and this will be your guide to look up the different low carb sweetener options that you may want to swap in my recipes.
Why do you add cocoa powder?
Chocolate is one of the main ingredients in Mexican mole sauce since it helps to balance out the spices used. It also adds a nice rich dark color and in my opinion just enhances all the flavors for the barbecue sauce.
This easy pulled bbq chicken has undeniable delicious flavors and I think the secret ingredient is to use cocoa powder just like I used in my keto chili recipe.
More Keto BBQ Recipes
Low Carb Hamburger Bun Recipes
Cottage Cheese Cloud Bread Rolls
Crock Pot Sugar Free BBQ Pulled Chicken
Crock Pot Sugar Free BBQ Pulled Chicken
Ingredients
- 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
BBQ Sauce Ingredients
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup sugar free ketchup
- 1 teaspoon maple extract
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder unsweetened
- ½ teaspoon clear liquid stevia or see notes above for using a brown sugar substitute
Instructions
- Place the chicken on a baking sheet.
- Whisk the paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, salt and pepper together.
- Rub the dry seasonings onto the chicken on both sides. Set aside.
For the BBQ Sauce
- Pour the water, apple cider vinegar, and ketchup into the bottom of the crock pot.
- Stir until combined then add the remaining ingredients to the crock pot.
- Stir well then add the chicken thighs to the crock pot.
Slow Cooker Method
- Cover and cook on high 3-4 hours or low 8-10 hours.
- Uncover when finished cooking and shred thighs with 2 forks.
Instant Pot Instructions
- Follow the same preparing of the chicken and sauce but instead of placing sauce into slow cooker, place into instant pot. Stir well then add thighs to the pot.
- Cover and set to manual, high pressure for 25 minutes.
- Natural release for 5 minutes, then manually release pressure.
- Enjoy shredded bbq chicken over coleslaw or in a low carb tortilla as a burrito.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
About Brenda
Brenda Bennett is a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, certified Sugar Detox Coach, certified Keto Coach and certified Life Coach. She has been Sugar Free & Refined carb free for 17 years and has written 2 cookbooks, Sugar-Free Mom, and Naturally Keto and her 3rd book The 30-Day Sugar Elimination Diet, is a four part program to help you detox from sugar, eliminate cravings, balance blood sugar and lose weight all while eating a delicious, nutrient dense whole foods. Meal plan offers two tracks to follow, low carb or keto. She is the founder of the Sugar Free Fresh Start course and Sugar Free Tribe weight loss membership. Learn more.
Dorothy
Cumin is listed twice, is it used in the rub as well in the sauce. Just need to clarify for myself. Thank you.
Brenda
Yes used twice
Daddy's Turn
This recipe looks awesome. I need to use my crockpot more often. We love BBQ chicken, so this looks like another easy recipe for BBQ chicken as well. Well, without the use of the BBQ.
Brenda
Well it's technically homemade BBQ sauce, so that counts right?
mike kane
easy to make this kosher---skip pork and use lamb or chicken--everything else you can purchase is probably kosher
Sam
What is the clear liquid stevia for? Is that something you buy from the grocery store? Is there a replacement, even if it does have a bit of sugar?
Brenda
Usually BBQ sauce is sweet so adding the clear liquid stevia, just adds the sweetness. Most of the liquid stevias I have are flavored, but for this recipe I didn't feel a flavored stevia would work. You can swap it with any sweetener you enjoy using.
Justin
You've listed cumin in the recipe twice, is that accident or added at different times?
Ray
I just made this and boy, it was not great. I don't know if it was the cocoa or stevia, but there was a sickly sweet undertone to it. I've made low carb BBQ chicken in the crock pot before, but there is something off about this recipe.
Brenda
If you're not a regular user of stevia, then most likely that is the problem. The brand you used as well plays a role in the flavor and strength of the stevia. What brand did you use? When working with stevia, it's best to taste test before adding it to other ingredients and start with a smaller amount than the recipe says, that way you can decide if it's sweet enough using less stevia. Often the case is that it's not sweet enough for many people just starting out eating sugar free and low carb.
Jennifer
100 percent agree with this. Sad I wasted 12 on a bottle of clear stevia. Tasted so artificial and chemically with a horrible aftertaste. Had to add worchester sauce to save it along with salt. Consistency was weird also.
Shawna Kerr-Smith
I just skip the stevia and maple extract ?
Emily
Has anyone ever made this without a slow cooker? I don't have one (It makes me sad)... the closest things I have are stove, oven, and rice cooker - maybe the rice cooker could work on the porridge setting? Any thoughts?
Since I'm on the subject, any recommendations for a slow cooker that would be good for someone cooking for one? I live by myself and haven't gotten a slow cooker because I never need that much and only have so much room in my freezer.
Eddie Soderlund
They make 4 quart smaller ones...Google small crock pot
Nikki @ Nik Snacks
I love the chicken in the bowl of cole slaw! It looks so elegant and inviting!
Renee - Kudos Kitchen
Your bbq pulled pork looks utterly delicious, and the fact that it's made in the crock pot makes it even tastier!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife
Just perfect over a bed of coleslaw!! I love slow cooker meals that literally start and finish all in the slow cooker!
Kim Beaulieu
Sharing this one with a friend of mine, she is always trying to find slow cooker recipes san sugar. I think I'll make it next time they come for dinner.
Samantha
BBQ is my favorite topping so I really like this sugar free version.
Susan
I love that you used chicken thighs! Always my favorite piece, they have so much flavor especially with BBQ. That slaw and this chicken sounds like a perfect meal.
Heather | girlichef
Hey, at least he tried it - I always consider that a win. This really sounds fantastic, exactly the kind of food we eat the most in our house.
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes
I'm not surprised your whole family loved this chicken - it looks to die for! I love crock pot meals, also 🙂
Lora @cakeduchess
What a great way to not miss the buns! Pulled chicken with a wonderful sauce (sugar free)...who can beat that!!
Kirsten/Comfortably Domestic
I'm totally in love with the way you served the bbq chicken over the slaw! I can't live without the crunch of slaw on my bbq chicken sandwiches. Next time I'll skip the bun entirely.
Martha @ A Family Feast
I love that this is healthier with no sugar added - plus it's made in the crock pot! So convenient!
Lauren+Kelly+Nutrition
My husband would love this and I love that it's sugar-free! This looks delicious!
Angie
This is such a great recipe! I love BBQ chicken. I think a lot of people forget how much sugar is in pre-made BBQ sauce.
The Food Hunter
I love that this is sugar free!
Stephanie @ Back for Seconds
It's so hard to find a good sugar free bbq sauce recipe. Yours looks wonderful!!
Cookin Canuck
Chicken thighs are one of my favorite things to make in the crockpot because they hold their moisture so well. This is a recipe I know my family would love!
Nutmeg Nanny
I LOVE BBQ pulled chicken. While I usually pile mine high on a bun I love the idea of serving it over cole slaw. So good!
kariane
I like the idea of a crockpot pulled chicken recipe. Yum! I think I'll give something like this a try.