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Quick BBQ Shredded Chicken
4.9 from 231 votes

Quick BBQ Shredded Chicken

This Quick BBQ Shredded Chicken recipe uses chicken breasts cooked in a skillet with a blend of barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, and water. The sauce simmers with the chicken to develop flavor before shredding and coating the meat. The result is tender, tangy shredded chicken with buttery richness, ideal for sandwiches, salads, or as a versatile main dish component.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4 to 6
Calories: 194 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 cup barbecue sauce
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1½ to 2 pounds chicken breast about 4 small or 2 large, boneless skinless
  • salt
  • black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons butter salted or unsalted is fine, 42g

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, and water. Set aside.
  2. Pat chicken breasts dry and lightly salt and pepper both sides. Heat a large skillet with a lid over medium-high heat and melt butter.
  3. Add chicken breasts to the pan and cook until lightly browned. Flip the chicken breasts and pour barbecue sauce mixture over the top.
  4. Bring sauce to a simmer and reduce heat to medium-low, keeping the sauce at just a simmer. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Flip the chicken, re-cover, and continue to cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat reads 165°F, usually around 3 to 6 minutes more.
  5. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board, and allow it to rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Allow the sauce to continue simmering uncovered, stirring occasionally, until it thickens.
  6. Shred chicken breasts and return shredded chicken to the pan of sauce. Stir until well-coated. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • Slice large chicken breasts horizontally into thin cutlets for more even cooking and quicker shredding.
  • This recipe yields about 3 to 4 cups of shredded chicken suitable for six servings of approximately 1/2 cup each.

Nutrition Information

Calories 194kcal (10%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4 to 6

Amount Per Serving

Calories 194

% Daily Value*

Calories 194kcal 10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.