Brown Sugar Pulled Chicken
User Reviews
4.6
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
3 hrs 30 mins
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Total Time
3 hrs 40 mins
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Servings
6
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Calories
415 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Lunch
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Cuisine
American
Brown Sugar Pulled Chicken
Description
This Brown Sugar Pulled Chicken recipe uses bone-free, skinless chicken thighs for juiciness and flavor. The chicken is combined with a blend of brown sugar, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper before cooking under pressure in an Instant Pot or slowly in a slow cooker. The result is tender chicken that shreds easily and carries a balance of sweetness and savory umami from the soy and vinegar.
After cooking, the chicken is shredded and tossed with the remaining sauce from the cooker, allowing it to absorb extra flavor. This pulled chicken works well layered on buns alongside fresh coleslaw for contrast. It can also be used in sandwiches, tacos, or salads.
For best results, use fresh chicken thighs rather than frozen in the slow cooker to avoid safety concerns. A lower sodium soy sauce helps control saltiness. Adding liquid smoke can provide a smoky note if desired. The balance of ingredients and convenient cooking methods make this an approachable, flavorful pulled chicken recipe.
Ingredients
For Chicken
- 2 pounds chicken thighs boneless, skinless
- 1 cup water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 1 teaspoon oregano dried
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce low sodium
- 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions
- Mix chicken with all the ingredients: Add the chicken to the instant pot. In a small bowl mix together the rest of the ingredients and pour over the chicken. Toss everything together.
- Cook: Close the lid (follow the manufacturer’s guide for instructions on how to close the instant pot lid). Set the Instant Pot to the Manual setting on high and set the timer to 8 minutes. Use quick / manual release to release the pressure.
- Shred: Transfer the chicken from the Instant Pot to a bowl. Shred the chicken with two forks then pour some of the sauce leftover in the IP, toss and let it rest for a couple minutes for the chicken to soak up the sauce.
- Serve: Serve on buns with coleslaw.
Slow Cooker Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Add the chicken to the slow cooker. In a small bowl mix together oregano, salt, pepper and 1/2 cup of the water. Pour over the chicken. Cook on high for 2 1/2 hours.
- Combine glaze ingredients: After 2 1/2 hours, mix the remaining ingredients with the 1/2 cup water left, in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat until the mixture starts to thicken. It should start to thicken as soon as it comes to a boil.
- Add sauce over chicken: Pour the mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker and toss, so that the chicken is covered in the sauce thoroughly.
- Continue cooking: Cook for an additional hour in the slow cooker on low.
- Shred chicken: Remove the chicken from slow cooker into a big bowl and carefully pull it apart using two forks.
- Serve: Serve warm with remaining glaze on the side, if preferred.
Notes
- Use fresh, not frozen, chicken for slow cooker recipes to ensure food safety.
- Chicken thighs provide juicier, more flavorful meat than chicken breast.
- Choose a high-quality, low-sodium soy sauce to control saltiness and improve flavor.
- For a smoky taste, add 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke when seasoning the chicken.
- Shred chicken well and toss with leftover sauce to enhance flavor before serving.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 415 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 415kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 21g | 7% |
| Protein | 25g | 50% |
| Fat | 25g | 38% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5g | 29% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 148mg | 49% |
| Sodium | 497mg | 21% |
| Potassium | 362mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 19g | 38% |
| Vitamin A | 133IU | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 36mg | 4% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.6
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