BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches Recipe Easy Homemade with Tangy Pickles
Easy and flavorful BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches with a smoky, sweet sauce and tangy pickles, perfect for quick meals or feeding a crowd.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (240 ml)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 cup sliced tangy dill pickles (about 150g)
- 6 sandwich buns (brioche or potato rolls recommended)
Instructions
- Rinse and pat dry 2 pounds of chicken thighs or breasts. Season lightly with salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. (Prep time: 5 minutes)
- Place the chicken in a slow cooker or large pot. Pour 1 cup BBQ sauce over the chicken along with 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar and 1 tablespoon yellow mustard. Stir gently to coat. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours in a slow cooker or simmer on low for about 45 minutes on the stovetop until chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Remove the chicken and shred it using two forks or tongs. (Time: 5 minutes)
- Return shredded chicken to the pot or slow cooker, stirring well to coat with BBQ sauce and juices. Let sit on low heat for 10 minutes to soak up flavors.
- Slice sandwich buns and toast lightly on a pan or in the oven if desired. Arrange sliced tangy pickles for serving. (Prep time: 5 minutes)
- Assemble sandwiches by piling pulled chicken on the bottom bun, topping with pickles, and crowning with the top bun. (Assembly time: 5 minutes)
Notes
If BBQ sauce is too thick, add a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen before mixing with shredded chicken. Avoid overcooking chicken, especially on stovetop, to prevent dryness. Toast buns to prevent sogginess. For gluten-free, use gluten-free bread or lettuce wraps. For dairy-free, check BBQ sauce ingredients.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 1.5
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
Keywords: BBQ pulled chicken, pulled chicken sandwiches, BBQ chicken recipe, easy chicken sandwich, tangy pickles, game day food, quick dinner