Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches offer an easy, tender, and flavorful meal perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping. Slow cooking infuses the chicken with smoky, sweet, and tangy barbecue flavors, resulting in juicy shredded chicken ideal for sandwiches. Customize with toppings like coleslaw or pickles for a delicious family-friendly dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 7 hours (low) or 3 to 4 hours (high)
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes to 7 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (with gluten-free BBQ sauce and buns)
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 2 to 3 pounds chicken breasts or thighs (choose thighs for juiciness or breasts for leaner option)
- 1 medium onion, diced finely
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce and Bread
- 1 to 2 cups barbecue sauce (use favorite brand or homemade, sweet, smoky, or spicy)
- Soft burger buns or sandwich rolls (enough for servings)
Optional Toppings
- Coleslaw
- Pickles
- Sliced jalapeños
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken and Ingredients: Trim excess fat from the chicken. Place chicken breasts or thighs in the slow cooker. Dice the onion finely and sprinkle it evenly over the chicken. Add garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to season evenly.
- Add the BBQ Sauce: Pour barbecue sauce generously over the chicken and onions, coating every piece thoroughly to ensure flavor seeps in during cooking.
- Slow Cook the Meat: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Avoid lifting the lid frequently to maintain consistent heat and tender chicken.
- Shred the Chicken: Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred with two forks into bite-sized pieces. Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker and mix well with the cooking juices and BBQ sauce for maximum flavor.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Toast burger buns lightly if desired. Pile hot, saucy pulled chicken onto buns and top with optional coleslaw, pickles, or jalapeños. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
- Use dark meat (chicken thighs) for extra juiciness and tenderness.
- Let shredded chicken rest for 5-10 minutes in cooking juices before serving to absorb more flavor.
- Choose a BBQ sauce that complements rather than overpowers the chicken.
- Slice onions thinly so they soften completely and blend into the sauce.
- Toast or warm buns just before serving to prevent sogginess and enhance texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: Approximately 350 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: BBQ pulled chicken, slow cooker chicken, pulled chicken sandwiches, easy chicken recipe, family-friendly BBQ
Find it online: https://juliaglam.com/slow-cooker-bbq-pulled-chicken-sandwiches/