BBQ Pulled Chicken (Printer-Friendly)

Tender shredded chicken in tangy BBQ sauce, slow-cooked for maximum flavor.

# 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 (gluten-free if needed)
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 (optional)

# How to Prepare:

01 - Arrange chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker, distributing evenly for uniform cooking.
02 - Scatter chopped onion and minced garlic over the chicken pieces.
03 - Whisk together barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and chili powder in a mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
04 - Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken and onions, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated.
05 - Cover and cook on low heat for 4-5 hours until chicken is fork-tender and easily shreds.
06 - Transfer chicken to a cutting board and shred using two forks, pulling meat apart into bite-sized pieces.
07 - Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker, stir thoroughly to coat with sauce, and heat through for 10-15 minutes.
08 - Serve hot as a main dish or pile onto sandwich buns for classic pulled chicken sandwiches.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It turns the simplest ingredients into something that feels like a celebration
  • Your slow cooker does all the work while you go about your day
  • Leftovers somehow taste even better the next day
02 -
  • Rushing the cooking time yields tough, dry chicken that will not shred properly
  • Letting the shredded chicken sit in the sauce for those final 15 minutes transforms good into unforgettable
  • A few drops of liquid smoke added to the sauce creates an authentic smoker flavor
03 -
  • Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for extra moisture and flavor
  • Toast your buns before serving to prevent them from getting soggy
  • Keep some extra sauce warm on the side for guests who love extra moisture
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