Description
This Shredded BBQ Chicken recipe offers a flavorful, tender chicken dish perfect for sandwiches, tacos, or served over rice. Made with simple ingredients and cooked slowly to absorb smoky and tangy spices, it’s easy to prepare using either a slow cooker or stovetop for versatility and convenience.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup barbecue sauce (plus more for serving)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or water
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts or thighs in a slow cooker or large pot, ensuring they lie flat for even cooking.
- Mix the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together barbecue sauce, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Coat the Chicken: Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken, making sure each piece is evenly coated with the flavorful marinade.
- Cook the Chicken: For the slow cooker method, cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. For stovetop cooking, cover and simmer over low heat for 45 to 60 minutes, turning the chicken occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure thorough cooking.
- Shred the Chicken: Once the chicken is fully cooked and tender, remove it from the pot and shred it using two forks, pulling apart into bite-sized pieces.
- Combine with Sauce: Return the shredded chicken to the sauce in the slow cooker or pot, stirring well to evenly coat the chicken with the sauce.
- Rest and Serve: Let the shredded chicken sit for 5 to 10 minutes to absorb more flavor from the sauce. Serve on sandwich buns, over rice, in tacos, or alongside your favorite sides, with additional barbecue sauce if desired.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs for a juicier and more flavorful result; breasts or a mix of both can provide balance.
- Add a dash of hot sauce for an extra kick or a drizzle of honey if you prefer it sweeter.
- This recipe freezes well, making it an excellent option for meal prepping and easy future meals.
