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Crock Pot Nashville Hot Chicken

Section: Satisfying Main Dishes for Every Occasion

This slow-cooked shredded Nashville hot chicken is bursting with bold, spicy-sweet flavor and irresistibly juicy texture. Boneless chicken breasts simmer gently in a blend of brown sugar, spices, and butter, creating savory, tender meat that's easy to shred. Whisk up a homemade Nashville hot sauce and let everyone drizzle to their heat level preference. Serve on buns with pickles for the classic experience, or add yours to salads or wraps for a flavorful twist. This flavorful chicken is easy to prepare and perfect for gatherings or weeknight meals.

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A woman wearing a chef's hat and apron.
Brought to You By nina
Last updated on Mon, 14 Jul 2025 01:19:49 GMT
A close up of a sandwich with pickles and barbecue sauce. Bookmark
A close up of a sandwich with pickles and barbecue sauce. | ninatable.com

Crock Pot Shredded Nashville Hot Chicken brings all the bold flavors of the classic fried favorite but with a hands-off slow cooker twist. With tender shredded chicken, buttery brown sugar heat, and a saucy finish, this recipe nails that sweet savory spicy balance and could not be easier for weeknight meals or crowd-pleasing game day sandwiches.

The first time I made this, the aroma alone had everyone gathering in the kitchen before dinner was even ready. That saucy kick is now a go-to for family movie nights and sandwich suppers.

Ingredients

  • Boneless skinless chicken breasts: choose fresh firm chicken for the juiciest result and feel free to swap in thighs for richer flavor
  • Light brown sugar: brings a mellow sweetness that balances the spices creamy sugar with no hard clumps is best
  • Garlic powder and onion powder: look for bright aromatic powders for the freshest flavor
  • Cayenne pepper: gives classic Nashville fire use fresh cayenne and adjust to preference
  • Salt: enhances every flavor so use kosher or fine sea salt for best control
  • Butter: delivers smooth richness throughout the chicken and in the sauce go with unsalted and always check the color for freshness

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep the Chicken:
Place chicken breasts into a lightly greased six quart slow cooker. Evenly sprinkle over the brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and salt so every piece is well coated.
Add the Butter:
Arrange thin slices of butter evenly across the top of the seasoned chicken. This helps melt the flavors into every bite and keeps the meat tender.
Slow Cook:
Set the slow cooker to low for five to six hours or on high for three to four hours. There is no need for extra liquid the chicken will release its own juices and soak up every bit of flavor.
Shred the Chicken:
Once cooked and ultra tender, use two forks to shred the chicken right in the pot. Mix the meat well with the juices for extra flavor. If you have a ceramic insert, an electric hand mixer makes shredding even quicker.
Make the Nashville Hot Sauce:
Combine butter, brown sugar, extra cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt in a saucepan. Heat over medium, whisking constantly, until the mixture simmers and everything melts together.
Serve:
Pile the shredded chicken onto soft sandwich buns and drizzle with a heavy spoonful of Nashville hot sauce. Top with pickles for the real deal.
A sandwich with pickles and barbecue sauce.
A sandwich with pickles and barbecue sauce. | Ninatable.com

Brown sugar is really the quiet star here a spoonful bridges the heat and savory richness so the sauce just sings on a sandwich. My kids love helping drizzle their own sauce over the chicken on burger buns during game days the kitchen gets rowdy with everyone building their own.

Storage Tips

Leftovers keep best in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. For longer storage, freeze cooled shredded chicken in freezer bags for up to three months. Reheat gently in a saucepan with an extra splash of chicken broth or water to keep things juicy. Always store the spicy hot sauce separately and reheat over low heat to recombine.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can use boneless chicken thighs in place of breasts for extra moistness—just adjust the cooking time if they are thick. If you want it less sweet, swap out some or all of the brown sugar for a drizzle of honey or maple syrup. Smoked paprika is a wonderful optional add for even more smoky undertone without extra heat.

Serving Suggestions

The best way is on soft sandwich buns layered with pickle chips and thinly sliced sweet onions—the classic Nashville combo. For a lighter spin, mound the spicy chicken onto salad greens and spoon over hot sauce for a bold chicken salad. Warm wraps and even baked potatoes also love the tender saucy meat.

A close up of a sandwich with barbecue sauce and pickles.
A close up of a sandwich with barbecue sauce and pickles. | Ninatable.com

Recipe Roots

Nashville hot chicken is legendary for a reason It combines cayenne heat with buttery spice and brown sugar for that signature sting. By using a slow cooker, you skip the deep frying and let the flavors mingle low and slow—plus, everyone can control their own heat by drizzling the sauce just how they like it. This has become a repeat favorite for potlucks and lazy Sundays in my house.

Common Recipe Questions

→ Is Nashville hot chicken spicy?

The heat level is balanced between savory, sweet, and spicy. Control the spice by adding more or less sauce as desired.

→ Can I adjust the spiciness?

Absolutely! Add more cayenne or your favorite hot sauce for extra kick, or keep the sauce milder.

→ What should I serve with Nashville hot chicken?

Serve with pickle chips and white onion slices on a sandwich, or enjoy on salads, wraps, or over rice.

→ Why did the sauce separate?

The sauce may separate as it cools. Simply reheat and whisk to keep it well combined.

→ Can I mix the sauce into the chicken?

Yes, you can either drizzle the sauce on top or mix it throughout the shredded chicken for full flavor.

→ How do I store leftover Nashville hot chicken?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months.

Crock Pot Nashville Hot Chicken

Juicy chicken simmered with spices and Nashville hot sauce for easy, bold flavor every time.

Prep Time
10 minutes
Cooking Time
300 minutes
Total Time
310 minutes
Brought to You By: nina

Recipe Category: Main Dishes

Skill Level: Great for Beginners

Cuisine Type: American Southern

Portions: 8 Serves (8 sandwiches)

Dietary Preferences: ~

What You'll Need

→ Chicken Base

01 1.35 kg boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 40 g light brown sugar
03 6 g garlic powder
04 6 g onion powder
05 4 g cayenne pepper
06 5 g fine salt
07 56 g unsalted butter, sliced

→ Nashville Hot Sauce

08 56 g unsalted butter
09 30 g light brown sugar
10 4 g cayenne pepper
11 4 g garlic powder
12 4 g onion powder
13 3 g fine salt

→ Suggested for Serving

14 8 sandwich buns
15 Pickle chips, to taste
16 Sliced white onion, optional

Steps to Follow

Step 01

Lightly coat a 6-litre slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Layer chicken breasts in the insert. Evenly sprinkle with brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and salt. Arrange butter slices over the chicken.

Step 02

Cover with lid and cook for 5 to 6 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high, until chicken is tender and fully cooked.

Step 03

Using two forks, shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker, mixing well with the cooking juices. Optionally, use an electric hand mixer for finer shredding if the insert is compatible.

Step 04

In a small saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Place over medium heat, whisking constantly until the sauce reaches a simmer. Remove from heat immediately.

Step 05

Pile shredded chicken onto sandwich buns. Drizzle generously with Nashville hot sauce. Garnish with pickle chips and sliced white onion as desired. Serve warm.

Extra Suggestions

  1. For greater heat intensity, increase the cayenne pepper or add your preferred hot sauce to the Nashville hot sauce.
  2. Serve leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
  3. If sauce begins to separate upon cooling, gently reheat while whisking to re-emulsify.
  4. For a lower-fat option, use skinless chicken breasts and reduce the butter in the sauce slightly.

Tools You’ll Need

  • 6-litre slow cooker
  • Small saucepan
  • Whisk
  • Two forks or electric hand mixer
  • Chef's knife
  • Chopping board

Allergy Details

Read ingredient lists for allergens carefully, and consult a healthcare provider if you're unsure.
  • Contains milk (butter) and gluten (if using standard sandwich buns).

Nutritional Details (Per Serving)

The provided nutrition information is for guidance and shouldn't replace expert medical advice.
  • Calories: 420
  • Fat: 17 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 32 grams
  • Proteins: 34 grams