Sprinkle salt and pepper over the chicken. Heat a pan over medium-high and sear each side for 1–2 minutes. Remove from pan.
Lightly spray crockpot with non-stick spray. Place chicken in an even layer.
In a bowl, whisk together BBQ sauce, chicken broth, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and apple cider vinegar.
Pour sauce over chicken. Add sliced onions and chopped garlic.
Cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours until chicken is tender.
Remove chicken and shred with two forks, then return to sauce and mix. Or serve whole with sauce on top.
Serve over rice and top with green onions or parsley.
Video
Recipe Tips
Sear the chicken before adding it to the crockpot. That quick step adds an extra layer of flavor you won’t get if you skip it.