Slow-Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches (Print-Friendly Version)
Chicken thighs cook with spices and part of the barbecue sauce, then are shredded and dressed with the remaining sauce. Add cooking juices gradually so the buns stay manageable.
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House placeholder — AdSense units launch here# Ingredients You’ll Need:
01 - 3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
02 - 1 1/2 tsp chili powder
03 - 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
04 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
05 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
06 - 1/2 tsp salt, plus more to taste
07 - 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
08 - 1/4 cup grated yellow onion
09 - 1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce (recommend Bullseye Original), divided
10 - 2 Tbsp steak sauce (recommend A1)
11 - 8 hamburger buns
# How to Make It:
01 - Put fully thawed chicken in a five- to seven-quart slow cooker, following its fill guidance. Combine chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, optional cayenne, salt and pepper; toss with chicken and grated onion.
02 - Spread three-quarters cup barbecue sauce over the chicken. Cover and cook on low for about four to six hours, continuing until the thick centers reach 165°F and the meat shreds easily.
03 - Transfer chicken to a clean board. Reserve the cooker juices and skim excess fat. Shred the chicken with two forks.
04 - Warm the remaining three-quarters cup barbecue sauce with the steak sauce in a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl.
05 - Return chicken to the cooker and fold in the warm sauce. Add reserved juices a spoonful at a time, up to about three-quarters cup initially, stopping when coated without pooling. Serve in the eight buns.
# Extra Suggestions:
01 - Half goes into the cooker and half seasons the finished shredded meat. Keep the finishing portion separate from raw chicken.
02 - No. Thighs release variable amounts of liquid; add only enough to moisten the shredded meat.
03 - Breasts can finish sooner and become dry with prolonged cooking. This guide’s timing is for thighs, so check temperature and texture rather than treating the older breast recipe’s timing as interchangeable.
04 - Drain each spoonful briefly against the bowl and add any extra sauce at the table rather than saturating the bun.