Tender BBQ Pulled Chicken (Printable version)

Slow-cooked chicken breast coated in tangy barbecue sauce, tender and full of flavor for versatile servings.

# 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 1/2 cups barbecue sauce (gluten-free if needed)
05 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
06 - 1 tablespoon brown sugar
07 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker base.
02 - Distribute chopped onion and minced garlic evenly over the chicken.
03 - In a bowl, blend barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and optional chili powder until uniform.
04 - Pour sauce mixture over the chicken and onions, ensuring thorough coverage.
05 - Cover and cook on low heat for 4 to 5 hours until chicken is tender and shreds easily.
06 - Remove chicken from cooker and shred with two forks.
07 - Return shredded chicken to the cooker, mix to coat with sauce, and warm for 10 to 15 minutes.
08 - Serve hot as a main dish or stacked in sandwich buns.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • Effortlessly Easy: Simply combine the ingredients in your slow cooker and let it work its magic.
  • Incredibly Tender: Slow cooking ensures the chicken becomes fall-apart tender and soaks up all the flavor.
  • Crowd-Pleasing: Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or game day, and easily serves a crowd.
  • Versatile Serving: Delicious piled high on buns, served over rice, or as a main dish with your favorite sides.
02 -
  • Shredding Made Simple: Once cooked, the chicken will be very tender. Use two forks to easily pull it apart into shreds directly on a cutting board.
  • Meal Prep Master: Leftovers are fantastic! Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months for a quick future meal.
  • No Slow Cooker? No Problem: This recipe can also be made in a Dutch oven on the stovetop. Simmer on low for 1.5-2.5 hours, or until the chicken is tender.
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