Flavorful Pioneer Woman Shredded Chicken Recipe to Love

These mouthwatering pioneer woman’s shredded chicken sandwiches burst with flavor and comfort, promising a meal that’ll make taste buds sing.

Forget boring lunch options, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece.

Succulent shredded chicken nestles between soft buns, creating a harmony of textures that screams home-cooked goodness.

Crisp cabbage and zesty condiments add unexpected depth to every single bite.

Families gather around the table, drawn by the irresistible aroma of perfectly seasoned meat.

Each sandwich tells a story of love, tradition, and pure deliciousness.

Elevate your sandwich game with this crowd-pleasing recipe that turns an ordinary meal into an extraordinary experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredient List for Pioneer Woman Shredded Chicken Sandwiches

• Green Cabbage: Choose crisp, heavy heads with vibrant green color for maximum crunch.
• Red Cabbage: Select deep purple heads that feel firm and have no brown spots.

• Milk, Mayonnaise: Select full-fat options for richer, smoother texture.
• White Vinegar: Pick clear, clean-tasting vinegar for balanced tanginess.
• Sugar: Use granulated white sugar for smooth sweetness.
• Salt: Opt for fine sea salt for even distribution.
• Cayenne Pepper: Choose fresh, bright red powder for subtle heat.

• Chicken Pieces: Select bone-in, skin-on thighs for maximum flavor and tenderness.
• Canola Oil: Pick fresh, light-colored oil for neutral cooking base.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Use freshly ground pepper for robust seasoning.

• Onion: Choose sweet yellow onions with smooth, papery skin.
• Garlic Cloves: Select firm, plump cloves without green sprouting.

• Barbecue Sauce: Pick smoky, thick sauce with balanced sweet-tangy profile.
• Kaiser Rolls: Select soft, fresh rolls with golden-brown crust.
• Butter: Use unsalted, high-quality butter for toasting rolls.

Kitchen Tools for Pioneer Woman Shredded Chicken Sandwiches

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining cabbage and creating creamy coleslaw.
• Separate smaller bowl: Essential for whisking together dressing ingredients.
• Whisk: Helps blend dressing components smoothly.
• Large pot: Versatile for searing chicken and building sauce.
• Cutting board: Needed for slicing onions and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp knife: Great for precise chopping and slicing.
• Forks: Two are ideal for shredding tender chicken meat.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately portion salt, sugar, and spices.
• Oven: Crucial for slow-roasting chicken to tender perfection.
• Kitchen tongs: Useful for handling and turning chicken during searing.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients.

How to Make Pioneer Woman Shredded Chicken Sandwiches

Whip Up Southern-Style Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches

• Prepare Zesty Coleslaw

Chop crisp cabbage into thin ribbons. Whisk together a tangy dressing using creamy mayo, sharp vinegar, and a hint of sugar. Toss cabbage with the dressing until every strand is perfectly coated. Chill in the refrigerator to let flavors dance and meld together.

• Sizzle and Seal the Chicken

Season chicken pieces with a bold spice blend. Heat a heavy pot and sear chicken until it develops a golden, caramelized crust. The sizzling sound means you’re creating deep, rich flavor. Remove chicken and set aside for the next magical step.

• Build Flavor Foundation

In the same pot, sauté aromatic onions and garlic until they release their mouthwatering fragrance. Return chicken to the pot and generously coat with smoky barbecue sauce. Let each piece become a flavor sponge.

• Slow Roast to Tender Perfection

Transfer the pot to a low oven, allowing the chicken to slowly transform. After a patient wait, the meat will become so tender it practically falls apart at the mere touch of a fork.

• Assemble Showstopping Sandwiches

Shred the chicken into delicate strands. Warm the meat in its own savory sauce. Toast soft rolls until they’re lightly crisp. Layer each sandwich with succulent barbecue chicken and a generous scoop of cool, crunchy coleslaw. Serve immediately and watch faces light up with pure culinary joy.

Tips and Tweaks for Pioneer Woman Shredded Chicken Sandwiches

Experiment with different cabbage varieties like Napa or Savoy for unique textures and flavors.

Add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the coleslaw for an extra kick of heat that complements the barbecue chicken.

Prepare the coleslaw and chicken a day in advance to let flavors develop more intensely. Store separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator.

Swap Kaiser rolls for gluten-free buns or serve the barbecue chicken over cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option that doesn’t compromise on taste.

How to Plate and Serve Pioneer Woman Shredded Chicken Sandwiches

• Serve Alongside Crisp Sides: Pair the barbecue chicken sandwich with crunchy potato chips or a handful of fresh cucumber slices to add texture and balance the rich, tender meat.
• Create a Picnic Platter: Arrange the sandwiches on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of extra coleslaw, pickles, and tangy dipping sauces to create an inviting, casual dining experience.
• Elevate with Beverage Pairings: Complement the smoky, sweet flavors with a cold craft beer, crisp white wine, or refreshing homemade lemonade to cut through the richness of the barbecue chicken.
• Transform into Party Sliders: Slice the Kaiser rolls smaller to create mini sandwiches perfect for gatherings, allowing guests to enjoy bite-sized versions of this delicious meal.

Storing and Saving Pioneer Woman Shredded Chicken Sandwiches

• Preserve Deliciousness: Smart Storage Strategies
• Store leftover barbecue chicken in airtight containers, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Separate coleslaw from chicken to maintain crisp cabbage texture.
• Freeze for Future Feasts
• Wrap individual portions of shredded chicken in freezer-safe bags, removing excess air. Chicken can be frozen up to 3 months, providing quick meal solutions for busy nights.
• Revive Refrigerated Goodness
• Reheat chicken gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of barbecue sauce to restore moisture. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent tough, dry meat.
• Meal Prep Magic
• Prepare chicken and coleslaw components separately during weekend cooking sessions. Pack lunches in divided containers, keeping bread or rolls separate to prevent sogginess, ensuring a delightful midday meal anytime.

Hearty Pioneer Woman Shredded Chicken Sandwiches Recipe

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4.7 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty pioneer woman shredded chicken sandwiches deliver classic comfort with tender pulled chicken and zesty seasonings. Crisp buns and tangy sauce complete this satisfying meal home cooks will eagerly devour.

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Ingredients

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• 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
• salt, to taste
• black pepper, to taste
• 1 large bottle barbecue sauce
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) canola oil
• 1 tbsp (15 g) sugar
• 1 tsp (5 ml) white vinegar
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 onion, sliced
• 8 cloves garlic (more if desired), peeled
• ½ head green cabbage, thinly sliced
• ½ head purple cabbage, thinly sliced
• ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk
• ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
• 1 bunch cilantro, roughly chopped

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Instructions

1. Coleslaw Preparation: Combine red and green cabbage in a mixing bowl. Whisk together milk, mayonnaise, white vinegar, sugar, kosher salt, and cayenne pepper to create a creamy dressing. Coat cabbage thoroughly, cover, and refrigerate for flavor development.
2. Chicken Searing: Season chicken with pepper and salt. Heat canola oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Brown chicken pieces on both sides, creating a caramelized exterior, about 5 minutes per side.
3. Flavor Building: Reduce heat and sauté onions and garlic in the same pot until onions become translucent. Return chicken to the pot and generously coat with barbecue sauce, ensuring complete coverage.
4. Slow Cooking: Preheat oven to 300°F. Cover pot and transfer to oven. Slow-cook chicken for 1.5 hours until meat becomes incredibly tender and easily shreddable.
5. Chicken Processing: Remove pot from oven and let chicken cool slightly. Shred meat using two forks, discarding bones. Skim excess fat from remaining sauce and reintegrate shredded chicken, stirring to combine.
6. Sandwich Assembly: Butter and toast Kaiser rolls until golden brown. Layer shredded chicken on roll bottoms, top with prepared coleslaw, and add roasted garlic cloves. Complete with top roll half and serve immediately.

Notes

• Marinate for Maximum Flavor: Let coleslaw chill for at least 2 hours to develop deeper, more complex taste profiles.
• Perfect Chicken Searing: Use medium-high heat to achieve a golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture and creates rich caramelization.
• Low and Slow Cooking Technique: Oven braising at 300°F transforms tough chicken into melt-in-your-mouth tender meat with minimal effort.
• Sauce Integration Tip: Skim excess fat from cooking liquid before mixing with shredded chicken to ensure a cleaner, more concentrated flavor.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg