Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken and Beans + VIDEO

Slow cooker BBQ chicken and beans is a hearty, protein-packed, one-pot recipe. This easy crockpot meal is comforting, filling, and made with simple ingredients like chicken thighs, dry white beans, and BBQ sauce. It’s both budget-friendly and family-friendly. 

Ingredients For Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken and Beans

• Chicken Thighs: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work best for this recipe because they stay tender and juicy during the long cook time. You can use chicken breasts, but they may cook faster and be a little less moist.
• Dry White Beans: Use dry white beans such as navy beans, great northern beans, or cannellini beans.
• BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite BBQ sauce. A smoky, sweet, or tangy sauce will all work well.
• Onion & Garlic: Diced onion and minced garlic add flavor to the beans and broth as everything cooks.
• Bell Pepper: A large bell pepper adds color, texture, and a mild sweetness that pairs well with the BBQ sauce and smoky paprika. 
• Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: Chicken broth gives the beans more flavor than water. Low-sodium broth is recommended so you can better control the salt.
• Yellow Mustard: A tablespoon of yellow mustard adds tang and helps balance the sweetness of the BBQ sauce.
• Seasonings: Salt, pepper, and paprika keep the seasoning simple while adding savory flavor. Taste at the end and add more salt if needed.

How To Make BBQ Chicken & Beans In The Crockpot

1. Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker. Stir to mix well. 
2. Cook on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours or LOW 6 to 8.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• It is hearty and filling. The combination of chicken thighs and white beans makes this a satisfying meal that will keep you full.
• It is packed with protein. Between the chicken and beans, this recipe is a great high-protein slow cooker meal.
• It uses simple ingredients. Chicken, dry beans, BBQ sauce, broth, onion, garlic, and pantry seasonings come together for an easy, budget-friendly recipe.
• It is family-friendly. The BBQ flavor is smoky, slightly sweet, and familiar, making this a recipe both kids and adults can enjoy.
• It is great for meal prep. Leftovers store and reheat well, making this a good option for lunches or easy dinners throughout the week.
• It is versatile. Serve it in a bowl, over rice, with cornbread, on a baked potato, or even on buns as a BBQ chicken sandwich.

FAQs & Tips

Can you use chicken breasts?

Yes. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts can be used in place of chicken thighs. Chicken breasts are leaner and may cook a little faster, so check for doneness toward the earlier end of the cook time.

What type of white beans should you use?

Navy beans, great northern beans, or cannellini beans all work well. Navy beans are smaller and tend to cook a little faster. Great northern beans are creamy and mild. Cannellini beans are larger and heartier.

Do you have to pre-soak the beans first?

Technically no, you can don’t have to pre-soak the beans however if you do not, they cooking time may be as long as 10 hours. 

How do you pre-soak dry white beans?

Overnight soak: Sort through the beans and discard any debris or damaged beans. Rinse well. Place the dry beans in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight. Drain, rinse and cook the beans in fresh water.

Quick-soak method: Sort through the beans and discard any debris or damaged beans. Rinse well. Place the rinsed beans in a pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and boil for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat, cover and let sit for 1 hour. Drain and rinse.

Can you use canned beans?

Yup. To use canned beans, replace the dry white beans with 2 to 3 cans of white beans, drained and rinsed. Since canned beans are already cooked, reduce the broth to about 1 cup and cook on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours or LOW 4 to 6. 

How do you serve this? 

Serve this BBQ chicken and beans as a hearty one-pot meal. You can also serve it over rice, cauliflower rice, mashed potatoes, or a baked potato. For a classic BBQ-style meal, pair it with cornbread, coleslaw, roasted vegetables, or a simple green salad. 

How do you store leftovers?

Store leftover BBQ chicken and beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To freeze, let the BBQ chicken and beans cool completely, then store in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

What size slow cooker did you use?

I use a  6-quart slow cooker for this recipe.

Beans Recipes

• Black Beans and Rice

• Pork and Beans

• Red Beans and Rice

• Southern Pinto Beans

• Franks and Beans

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken and Beans

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Slow cooker BBQ chicken and beans is a hearty, protein-packed, one-pot recipe. This easy crockpot meal is comforting, filling, and made with simple ingredients like chicken thighs, dry white beans, and BBQ sauce. It’s both budget-friendly and family-friendly.

• Author: Shannon Epstein
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Total Time: 4 hours 10 mins
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Pressure Cooking, Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 8 ounces dry white beans, pre-soaked
• 1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce
• 1/3 cup onion, diced
• 1 large green bell pepper, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt (or more)
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika

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Instructions

1. Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker. Stir to mix well.
2. Cook on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours or LOW 6 to 8.

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