Description
Pulled BBQ chicken delivers a mouthwatering southern comfort feast with tender, juicy meat drenched in rich, smoky sauce. Hearty and satisfying, this crowd-pleasing dish will make you the star of any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, halved
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) ketchup
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) brown sugar
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Create a robust barbecue sauce by vigorously blending ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper in a large Dutch oven.
- Immerse the chicken in the sauce, ensuring complete coverage, and place the pot over medium heat until the mixture begins to bubble gently.
- Stir the chicken, then lower the heat to medium-low, partially covering with a lid to allow steam circulation. Simmer for approximately 20 minutes.
- Evaluate the chicken’s tenderness by attempting to pull apart with a fork. If resistance is felt, continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes.
- Carefully shred the chicken using two forks, either directly in the pot or on a separate cutting board.
- Elevate the heat to high and stir continuously for 5-10 minutes, concentrating the sauce until it clings tenaciously to the shredded meat.
- Remove from heat, taste and fine-tune seasoning as needed, then serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for consistent tenderness and easy shredding.
- Choose a smoky barbecue sauce or adjust spices for personalized flavor profiles.
- Maintain low and slow cooking to prevent chicken from becoming tough or dry.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days, reheating gently to preserve moisture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 365
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 590 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 43 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg