Pulled BBQ Chicken Sandwiches (Printable View)

Slow-cooked shredded chicken in barbecue sauce, served on soft buns, topped with crunchy coleslaw.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

→ Sauce

02 - 1 1/2 cups barbecue sauce
03 - 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
04 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
05 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
06 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
10 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

→ Sandwich Assembly

11 - 6 sandwich buns
12 - 1 1/2 cups coleslaw mix
13 - 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
14 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
15 - Salt and pepper

# How To Make It:

01 - Arrange chicken breasts or thighs in the base of the slow cooker.
02 - Whisk barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a mixing bowl until smooth.
03 - Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken, ensuring thorough coverage.
04 - Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 to 7 hours, until the chicken becomes tender and easily shreds.
05 - Remove chicken from the slow cooker, shred using two forks, then return it to the cooker and stir to combine with the sauce evenly. Allow chicken to warm for 10 to 15 minutes.
06 - In a separate bowl, toss coleslaw mix with mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper until well combined.
07 - Portion pulled barbecue chicken onto the base of each sandwich bun, top with coleslaw, and close with the top bun.
08 - Serve immediately while warm.

# Best Practices:

01 -
  • Letting the crockpot do the work feels like a secret hack, leaving hands free for everything else.
  • The combination of smoky chicken and creamy slaw wins over picky eaters and barbecue connoisseurs alike.
02 -
  • Once, I forgot to shred the chicken before adding more sauce — the result was oddly chunky sandwiches that didn’t hold together.
  • Keeping the chicken in the sauce for an extra 15 minutes lets every strand soak up flavor, and that’s when the magic happens.
03 -
  • Let the chicken rest in the sauce before shredding for richer flavor and moisture.
  • Toast the buns lightly for added texture and to prevent sogginess — it’s the little detail that makes a difference.
Go Back