Tender slow-cooked pulled chicken (Printable)

Slow-cooked chicken breast shredded and coated in tangy barbecue sauce, perfect for sandwiches or main dishes.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 3.3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

→ Sauce & Seasoning

02 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 1/2 cups barbecue sauce (gluten-free if needed)
05 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
06 - 1 tablespoon brown sugar
07 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Place chicken breasts in the bottom of a slow cooker.
02 - Scatter the chopped onion and minced garlic evenly over the chicken.
03 - In a mixing bowl, combine barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and chili powder if using; stir until fully blended.
04 - Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken and onions, ensuring thorough coverage.
05 - Cover and cook on low heat for 4 to 5 hours until chicken is tender and shreds easily.
06 - Remove chicken from cooker and shred using two forks.
07 - Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker, stir to combine with remaining sauce, and heat for 10 to 15 minutes.
08 - Serve immediately as a main entrée or piled onto sandwich buns.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Minimal hands-on time means you can actually relax instead of hovering over the stove.
  • The payoff is restaurant-quality texture that makes you feel like you know what you're doing in the kitchen.
  • It stretches easily to feed a crowd or fills your fridge with ready-made lunch for days.
02 -
  • The chicken will release moisture as it cooks—don't panic if the slow cooker seems wet at hour three; that liquid becomes part of the sauce and keeps everything tender.
  • Shredding while warm is non-negotiable; cold chicken tears unevenly and wastes time, so shred immediately after removing from heat.
03 -
  • A splash of liquid smoke in the sauce (just 2-3 drops) deepens the flavor without overpowering if you're missing that campfire quality.
  • Leftovers keep for three days in the fridge and freeze beautifully for up to two months—future you will be grateful for the pre-made dinner waiting.
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