Description
Mouthwatering BBQ pulled chicken delivers a flavor explosion straight from Southern kitchens. Tender meat simmered in zesty sauce promises a comfort meal that invites friends and family to gather around the table with pure deliciousness.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 2 lbs (900g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Sauce and Liquid Base:
- 1 ½ cups (360ml) BBQ sauce
- ½ cup (120ml) chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Nestle the chicken pieces at the base of the slow cooker, creating an even layer that allows for uniform cooking.
- Create a robust sauce by whisking together BBQ sauce, chicken broth, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a mixing vessel until thoroughly combined.
- Lavishly pour the prepared sauce over the chicken, ensuring each piece is completely saturated with the flavorful liquid.
- Secure the slow cooker lid and set the temperature to low, allowing the chicken to gently simmer and tenderize for 6-7 hours, or alternatively use high heat for 3-4 hours until the meat becomes delicately soft.
- Test the chicken’s readiness by attempting to pull it apart with two forks – it should separate effortlessly and exhibit a tender, moist texture.
- Extract the chicken from the cooking liquid and meticulously shred the meat using two forks, breaking it into delectable, bite-sized pieces.
- Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and fold it into the remaining sauce, permitting the meat to absorb additional flavor nuances for an additional 15-20 minutes.
- Present the pulled chicken as a versatile dish – nestled in soft burger buns, tucked into warm tacos, scattered over fluffy rice, or accompanied by crisp, refreshing coleslaw for a delightful contrast.
Notes
- Chicken Selection Matters: Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs with some fat content for maximum tenderness and flavor absorption.
- Sauce Customization: Adjust the BBQ sauce’s sweetness and spiciness by experimenting with different brands or adding hot sauce for extra kick.
- Low and Slow Technique: Cooking on low heat prevents chicken from becoming tough and allows deeper flavor penetration throughout the meat.
- Liquid Ratio Balance: Ensure sauce consistency by adding more broth if mixture seems too thick or reducing liquids if too thin before final shredding stage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 298
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 685mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg