BBQ Pulled Chicken (Printable Version)

Tender slow-cooked chicken shredded in tangy barbecue sauce, perfect for sandwiches or as a hearty main dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 3.3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

→ Sauce & Seasoning

02 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 ½ cups barbecue sauce
05 - 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
06 - 1 tbsp brown sugar
07 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
08 - ½ tsp ground black pepper
09 - ½ tsp salt
10 - ½ tsp chili powder

# Steps:

01 - Arrange the chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker. Distribute the chopped onion and minced garlic evenly over the meat.
02 - Whisk together the barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and chili powder in a mixing bowl until the sugar dissolves completely.
03 - Pour the seasoned sauce mixture over the chicken and onions, ensuring all pieces are thoroughly covered. Secure the lid and cook on low heat for 4–5 hours until the chicken becomes fork-tender and easily shreds.
04 - Transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board or separate bowl. Using two forks, pull the meat apart into shreds. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker, toss thoroughly to coat with sauce, and continue heating for 10–15 minutes before serving.
05 - Serve hot as a standalone main course or mound generously onto sandwich buns. Pair with coleslaw and pickles for a classic presentation.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The chicken practically shreds itself after hours of slow cooking, making it feel like you put in way more effort than you actually did
  • Leftovers somehow taste even better the next day, meaning lunch is basically handled for days
02 -
  • Cheaper barbecue sauces tend to be overly sweet, so taste your sauce before adding the extra brown sugar and adjust accordingly
  • Letting the shredded chicken sit in the sauce for those final 15 minutes is what makes every bite perfectly seasoned instead of just coated on the outside
03 -
  • If you are in a huge hurry, cook on high for 2 to 3 hours instead, though low and slow really does give better results
  • A splash of coffee or cola in the sauce adds amazing complexity that nobody will guess but everyone will notice
Go Back