Smoky BBQ Pulled Chicken
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
20 mins
-
Cook Time
3 hrs
-
Servings
10
-
Calories
246 kcal
-
Course
Main Course, Dinner
-
Cuisine
American
Smoky BBQ Pulled Chicken
Description
This Smoky BBQ Pulled Chicken recipe blends a marinade featuring olive oil, apple cider vinegar, fresh garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, brown sugar, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, honey-flavored barbecue sauce, and liquid smoke. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are preferred for their tenderness and richer texture. After drying, the chicken is combined with the sauce and cooked slowly in a slow cooker to infuse flavors and break down connective tissue for shredding.
Once cooked, the thighs are removed and pulled apart gently to maintain some texture rather than overly fine shredding. The pulled chicken is returned to the slow cooker, mixed thoroughly with the cooking sauce to absorb flavors, and cooked further to meld the sauce with the meat. The final dish is moist with a smoky, sweet, and tangy flavor profile.
Serving suggestions include toasting sandwich buns and adding contrasting accompaniments such as pickles and coleslaw for texture and freshness. This preparation suits casual meals, gatherings, or meal prep. The recipe allows for making sauce ahead to deepen flavors and includes options for substitutions or storage.
Using chicken thighs contributes to a tender result; mixing with breast meat is possible but may produce a drier texture. Leftovers can be refrigerated for days or frozen for up to a month, enabling easy reheating. Starting with cold ingredients requires longer cooking times to reach doneness. Toasting buns before serving complements the juicy pulled chicken well.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil extra virgin
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tsp oregano
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper freshly ground
- 6 TB brown sugar tightly packed
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 2 TB Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups barbecue sauce plus more as needed, honey flavored
- 1 ½ TB liquid smoke
- 4 lbs chicken thighs skinless/boneless
Optional Serving Suggestions
- Bun or sandwich rolls
- pickles
- coleslaw
- sandwich roll
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except chicken in a bowl. Mix sauce ingredients well. Sauce can be made well ahead of time and kept in fridge until ready to use.
- Thoroughly dry chicken pieces with paper towels. Combine chicken with sauce and place in slow cooker. Cook 2 1/2 to 3 hours on High, or 5 1/2 to 6 hours on Low.
- Carefully remove chicken from slow cooker with tongs. Keep slow cooker lid on and keep sauce warm. Gently pull chicken apart with forks, but not too finely.
- Return shredded chicken into slow cooker. Toss well to make sure chicken is fully coated in sauce. Add more BBQ sauce if needed. Cook another 30-45 minutes on High. Keep warm until ready to serve.
- Toast buns or sandwich rolls and serve with pickles or coleslaw, if desired.
Notes
- Chicken thighs are recommended for tenderness and flavor; mixing thighs with breasts is possible but may yield drier results.
- Prepare the barbecue sauce in advance and refrigerate for deeper flavor infusion.
- When using a cold slow cooker and ingredients, increase cooking time to ensure chicken is fully cooked.
- Leftover pulled chicken can be stored refrigerated for several days or frozen for up to a month.
- Toast sandwich buns before serving to add texture contrast and prevent sogginess.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 10Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 246 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 246kcal | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 30.2g | 10% |
| Protein | 12.5g | 25% |
| Fat | 8.3g | 13% |
| Saturated Fat | 1.5g | 8% |
| Cholesterol | 56mg | 19% |
| Sodium | 880.9mg | 37% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 24.3g | 49% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
