Slow Cooker Pomegranate BBQ Chicken with Crunchy Apple Slaw
With a sweet, tangy sauce and a savory, crunchy slaw, Slow Cooker Pomegranate BBQ Chicken with Crunchy Apple Slaw is incredibly flavorful, yet simple to make.

Are you guys fans of Jessica over at How Sweet Eats? Her blog is gorgeous, her food photography is stunning, and her food is to die for. Plus she’s hilarious. Definitely a blog worth following.
When she posted a recipe for Saucy Chicken Sandwiches with Pomegranate BBQ Sauce and Crunchy Apple Slaw awhile back I knew immediately that I wanted to adapt it for the slow cooker. Her recipe is killer, but I tweaked it to reduce the total number of ingredients and to make it work in a slow cooker, and I have to say the final results are darn tasty.
The final result is a tender shredded chicken, bathed in a tangy, sweet homemade pomegranate bbq sauce that is incredibly addictive. Add a giant scoop of the crunchy apple slaw and it’s basically a party on a plate. So go grab these simple ingredients and make this one soon!

RECIPE & KID-FRIENDLY ADAPTATIONS
1 | Serve the shredded chicken plain, prior to adding any additional sauce.
2| The Pomegranate BBQ Chicken is delicious piled into sandwich buns, in rice bowls, or by itself topped with the Apple Slaw.
3| Both boneless, skinless chicken breasts and thighs work in this recipe, so feel free to use what you like and what you have.
THIS RECIPE IS . . .
Naturally Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Refined Sugar-Free


Slow Cooker Pomegranate BBQ Chicken with Crunchy Apple Slaw
Ingredients
For the Pomegranate BBQ Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 6- oz can tomato paste
- 1 cup pomegranate juice
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 4 tablespoons honey
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
For the Apple Slaw
- 2 apples, thinly sliced
- 1 scallion, thinly sliced
- 1 small medium napa cabbage, sliced into shreds (about 4 cups)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper, optional
- ¼ cup pomegranate seeds, optional
Equipment
Instructions
Make the Pomegranate BBQ Chicken
- In a medium bowl, make the bbq sauce by whisking the tomato paste, pomegranate juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, 2 teaspoons salt and dijon mustard.
- Place the chicken into a 6-quart slow cooker. Pour over half (about 1 cup) of the bbq sauce, stirring to combine. Set the other half of the sauce aside.
- Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 5-6 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and shreds easily with a fork.
- Remove the chicken, shred with 2 forks, then return to the slow cooker, stirring back into the sauce. Add the remaining 1 cup bbq sauce and stir to combine.
- Serve the chicken over greens, rice, or in whole wheat or gluten-free buns, then top with Apple Slaw and a sprinkling of pomegranate seeds.
Make the Apple Slaw
- In a medium bowl combine the apples, scallion, cabbage, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and ¼ teaspoons salt. Allow to sit for at least 5 minutes for the flavors to combine and the cabbage to wilt, then serve.
Robyn, I just found your blog and I’m in love! With your story and your blog! I’m always looking for healthy recipes to share and try on my own blog and I already see like 5 of your recipes I want to try in the past 10 minutes. I’m excited to explore your site more (which is gorgeous by the way). I just wanted to let you know I’m totally in love first!
Tega, thank you SO much for your kind words! I’m thrilled your finding inspiration here and look forward to hearing how you like the recipes. Cheers!
Robyn, once again I am eager to make your latest recipe. They are all delicious and easy! Thank you. What do you use for your pomegranate juice in this recipe?
Thank you so much NanLo, I’m so happy you’re enjoying the recipes! 🙂 I used an unsweetened pomegranate juice from Trader Joes (on the juice aisle, not refrigerated) but I also like Pom Wonderful, which is usually refrigerated with other fresh juices).
I had the crock pot all loaded up and our electricity was out all day yesterday. I transferred the chicken to our gas stove top and let it simmer. Our house was cold and dark but we enjoyed this delicious warm dinner around candlelight. It was loved by ALL. The slaw was so yummy we just ate it as a salad. Once again you have given us an easy prep, healthy and flavorful dinner recipe. Thank you.
Nana Lo, I love that you adapted this recipe for the stovetop and that you enjoyed the meal by candlelight. Such a great story and a lovely image. Happy you enjoyed!
Hi Robyn,
I’ve got my chicken in the slow cooker now so it will be ready when we get home from a tree lighting celebration tonight. I know it says to let the apple slaw sit for at least 5 minutes, but I’m wondering if I make it now and then refrigerate for later (aproximately 3 hours) will it be too wilted? Thanks!
Megan, I think it should be fine made ahead of time. It will be a little more wilted, but will still taste great. Just drain off any extra liquid and you’ll be good to go!
Thanks! It was absolutely delicious and leftovers are just as wonderful. Will definitely be ,among again!
Megan, yay, so glad it was a hit!
Delicious as always!
So happy you enjoyed, Michelle!
PS- I used the organic pomegranate seeds from Trader Joes and put them in our juicer! 🙂 Delicious! I also added some of the BBQ sauce to the slaw and is was fabulous!
Ohhhh, fresh pomegranate juice sounds amazing in this. Thanks for the tip. Michelle!
Hi there! How many servings does this make?
Hi Misty, abou 4-6. 🙂