5-Ingredient PSMF Sweet and Spicy Slow Cooker Chicken

Q: What type of slow cooker did you use for this recipe?

I use this Ninja Foodi All-In-One set on the slow cooker function (make sure that the vent is open!). I find that the 6 QT size is the perfect size for making enough chicken so that we can have leftovers. If you use a slow cooker that is too large, the chicken can dry out. Also, if you use a Ninja Foodi, you may notice that it does not allow you to set the timer for under 4 hours. If that's the case, set your own timer to check on the chicken at the 3 hour mark.

Q: How spicy is this slow-cooker chicken?

If you only use 2 tbsp of hot sauce, this is not a very spicy recipe. However, to increase the level of heat, feel free to add additional hot sauce.

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This PSMF Sweet and Spicy Slow Cooker Chicken recipe comes out perfectly juicy and tender every time! Learn how to make this keto budget-friendly meal that is perfect to add to salads, use for a quick low carb wrap or serve with a side of veggies for an easy keto dinner.

top view of 3 white bowls containing PSMF Sweet and Spicy slow cooker chicken with broccoli on the side.

Slow Cooker Chicken Recipe

I know what you are probably thinking...Boring, right??

Except, perfectly slow cooker chicken breast that is doused in a low carb sweet and spicy sauce isn’t boring at all.

This chicken is so flavourful, super juicy, and ridiculously easy to make. Plus, no crazy ingredients means that it is also a budget-friendly keto recipe

I will admit, I have made plenty of dry, overcooked, unpalatable boneless chicken breasts in the slow cooker or the absolute opposite and ended up with "mushy" chicken.

I wanted to come up with a foolproof way to make great slow cooker chicken — one that is big on flavour and would make great leftovers.

Naturally, I started with this Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe as my base, since so many of you have already loved it (check out this Keto Slow Cooker BBQ Pot Roast with Pepperoncinis if that’s more your style!), but I made a couple of swaps to create a low carb sweet and spicy sauce for an extra little boost of flavour.

This low carb sweet and spicy slow cooker chicken recipe is perfect just on its own, with a side of cauliflower rice, over homemade keto beet noodles, add to a quick and easy homemade keto sub roll or a big salad.

top view of a bowl of keto slow cooker recipe made up of PSMF pulled chicken

PSMF Chicken Recipe Ingredients

This PSMF Sweet and Spicy Slow Cooker Chicken recipe only requires 5 main ingredients. Below are the slow cooker chicken ingredients along with possible substitutions.

Chicken - To keep this a PSMF chicken recipe, I used boneless skinless chicken breast. However, feel free to use a combination of breasts and thighs or all thighs if you wish.

Sweetener - I used Lakanto Golden for the slight molasse or caramel flavour that it releases once it has melted down. However, you can use any type of sweetener that you have on hand.

Hot Sauce - Hot sauce not only provides heat but also combines beautifully with the sweetener with the perfect sweet and spicy flavour. I like to use Frank's Hot sauce but feel free to use any brand you wish. Also, feel free to make this dish as mellow or as fiery as you wish by adding anywhere between 2-4 tablespoons of hot sauce. For an Asian twist, you could always use Sambal Oelek

Garlic and/or Onion - These minced spices help to round out the flavour and balance the spicy with the sweet. If you do not have fresh spices, you can use ¼ teaspoon of dried garlic and/or onion powder.

Salt and Pepper to taste

3 bowls containing PSMF Sweet and Spicy slow cooker chicken with a side of broccoli

Instructions for PSMF Pulled Chicken

This PSMF sweet and spicy slow cooker chicken recipe could not be any easier! I was going to include step-by-step photos but then realized that they were definitely not needed! Here is the gist of how to make this PSMF chicken recipe:

Step 1 - Prepare the sweet and spicy sauce

Stir together the sauce ingredients at the bottom of the slow cooker. Bring the sauce to a boil for approximately 5 minutes or until it begins to thicken.

Step 2 - Slow cook the chicken

While the sauce is boiling, salt and pepper the chicken. Add the chicken to the thickened sauce and slow cook on "low" for 3-4 hours. Hint: You may think that is a typo as most of the time, you would "slow cook - low" for 6-8 hours. This is NOT a typo! Since the sauce has already been boiling, this slow cooker chicken does not require very much time before being ready to be pulled.

Step 3 - Thicken the sauce

Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and turn the slow cooker function to "saute-hi". Bring the sauce back to a boil for approximately 5 minutes or until it begins to thicken. Hint: If your sauce does not thicken, your chicken may have been filled with a higher water content than my organic chicken breasts. If this happens, you can either wait until more water evaporates and the sauce thickens, or you can whisk in ⅛ teaspoon of xanthan gum to the sauce. Be careful with xanthan gum as you can go from thickening a sauce to creating a very gooey texture that is not overly appealing!

Step 4 - Shred the chicken

Place the chicken back in the slow cooker and shred covering the chicken in the sauce. Serve immediately.

3 bowls of slow cooker chicken tossed in a PSMF sweet and spicy sauce with a side of brocolli

Can I use another type of meat for this recipe?

I have only made this using chicken but I think pork would be delicious as well.

What type of slow cooker did you use for this recipe?

I use this Ninja Foodi All-In-One set on the slow cooker function (make sure that the vent is open!). I find that the 6 QT size is the perfect size for making enough chicken so that we can have leftovers. If you use a slow cooker that is too large, the chicken can dry out. Also, if you use a Ninja Foodi, you may notice that it does not allow you to set the timer for under 4 hours. If that's the case, set your own timer to check on the chicken at the 3 hour mark.

Should I sear chicken before placing it in the slow cooker?

So many recipes call for the added step of searing the chicken. I have tried both ways but found that there was not much difference. However, if you prefer to sear your chicken, please feel free to do so!

How do I know when my chicken is cooked?

You do not want to overcook or under-cook your chicken. Chicken “pulls” better when it is cooked just right, and that means a finished temperature of 165 F. This will create a moist and succulent meat, that is not too dry or tough.

How spicy is this slow-cooker chicken?

If you only use 2 tablespoon of hot sauce, this is not a very spicy recipe. However, to increase the level of heat, feel free to add additional hot sauce.

How can I make this PSMF pulled chicken into a keto slow cooker recipe?

Easy! All you have to do after the slow cooker chicken has been pulled is add ¼ cup of olive oil to the chicken. That will add approximately 10 additional grams of fat per serving.

Looking for other protein-sparing modified recipes like this? Try these:

Looking for other keto slow recipes like this? Try these: