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Delicious School Night BBQ Pulled Chicken flatlay for family meal

Classic School Night BBQ Pulled Chicken

Enjoy a hassle-free meal with this slow cooker BBQ pulled chicken recipe, perfect for busy school nights. Tender chicken is simmered in a smoky, sweet, and tangy sauce, making it ideal for sandwiches, wraps, or as a main dish.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 30 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 400 kcal

Equipment

  • Slow cooker
  • Medium bowl
  • Whisk
  • Large bowl
  • Two forks or Stand mixer with paddle attachment

Ingredients
  

Proteins

  • 2-3 lbs chicken breasts or thighs boneless, skinless (or a mix)

Sauce Foundation

  • 1 bottle BBQ sauce 18 oz, your favorite (e.g., smoky, sweet, tangy)
  • ½ cup chicken broth (or water)

Flavor Boosters

  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 small onion finely diced (optional, for deeper flavor)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (for tang)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (for umami)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (enhances BBQ flavor)
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • A pinch red pepper flakes (optional, for a subtle kick)

Optional for Serving

  • Buns, rolls, or lettuce wraps
  • Coleslaw
  • Pickles

Instructions
 

Classic School Night BBQ Pulled Chicken Instructions

  • Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs at the bottom of your slow cooker.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, chicken broth, minced garlic, diced onion (if using), apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, onion powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if desired).
  • Pour the BBQ sauce mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker.
  • Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and easy to shred.
  • Carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker and place it in a large bowl, then use two forks or a stand mixer to shred it into bite-sized pieces.
  • Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir it into the remaining BBQ sauce, ensuring all the chicken is well coated.
  • Allow the shredded chicken to simmer in the sauce on warm for another 15-30 minutes to absorb all the flavors before serving.

Notes

For an extra kick, feel free to increase the red pepper flakes. This pulled chicken is fantastic served on buns with coleslaw and pickles, or as a lighter meal in lettuce wraps.