Description
A simple and flavorful BBQ Pulled Chicken recipe that delivers tender, juicy, and melt-in-your-mouth chicken with smoky and tangy barbecue flavors. Easy to prepare with everyday ingredients, perfect for busy weeknights, family meals, or parties.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 to 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts or thighs. Pat them dry with paper towels to ensure the seasoning sticks well.
- Season Thoroughly: In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Rub this spice mix evenly over each piece of chicken to coat well, sealing in all that flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and brown on both sides for about 2-3 minutes per side, creating a beautiful golden crust that locks in juices.
- Slow Cook with Sauce: Transfer the seared chicken to a slow cooker or a covered baking dish. Pour over BBQ sauce and apple cider vinegar to enhance tanginess. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 2 hours until the chicken is tender and pulls apart easily.
- Shred the Chicken: Once cooked, use two forks to shred the meat directly in the cooking liquid. Stir well to coat every shredded piece with the smoky barbecue sauce.
- Final Touches: Taste the pulled chicken and adjust seasoning if needed. Add a bit of brown sugar or salt to fine-tune the flavor to your liking.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs for more flavor and juiciness compared to breasts.
- Don’t skip searing; browning chicken locks in juices and boosts flavor.
- Slow cooking on low is essential for tender, fall-apart texture.
- Make your own BBQ sauce by combining tomato sauce, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, and brown sugar.
- Let shredded chicken rest for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld perfectly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours (oven) or 4-6 hours (slow cooker)
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: BBQ pulled chicken, slow cooker chicken, baked pulled chicken, smoky chicken recipe, easy pulled chicken