BBQ Shredded Chicken Sandwich recipe

Get ready for a delicious and easy meal with this classic BBQ Shredded Chicken Sandwich recipe! Tender chicken is slow-simmered in a rich, tangy, and sweet BBQ sauce, then shredded and piled high on toasted buns. It's perfect for a casual weeknight dinner, game day, or a backyard gathering.

Servings: 4-6 Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes Total time: 45 minutes Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

For the BBQ Shredded Chicken:

• 600 g (1.3 lbs) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

• 15 ml (1 tablespoon) olive oil or vegetable oil

• 1 medium onion (~120 g), finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic (~6 g), minced

• 240 ml (1 cup) chicken broth or water

• 360 ml (1.5 cups) your favorite BBQ sauce

• 5 g (1 teaspoon) smoked paprika

• 5 g (1 teaspoon) chili powder

• 2.5 g (½ teaspoon) salt

• 1 g (¼ teaspoon) black pepper

For Serving:

• 4-6 hamburger buns (brioche buns recommended)

• Optional toppings: Coleslaw, dill pickle slices, red onion rings

Equipment

• Large pot or Dutch oven

• Cutting board

• Sharp knife

• Measuring cups and spoons

• Two forks (for shredding)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken and Aromatics (5 minutes): Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season lightly with a pinch of salt and pepper. Chop the onion and mince the garlic.

2. Sauté Aromatics (5 minutes): Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

3. Combine and Simmer (20 minutes): Place the chicken breasts/thighs into the pot. Pour in the chicken broth and BBQ sauce. Stir in the smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and very tender.

4. Shred the Chicken (5 minutes): Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the pot and place it on a cutting board. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Return the shredded chicken to the pot with the BBQ sauce, stirring to coat completely. Let it simmer gently for another 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

5. Assemble Sandwiches (5 minutes): While the chicken simmers, lightly toast your hamburger buns. Spoon a generous amount of the BBQ shredded chicken onto the bottom half of each toasted bun. Add any desired toppings like coleslaw, pickles, or red onion, then top with the other half of the bun. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• For Extra Flavor: Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts for a richer flavor and even more tender results.

• Make Ahead: The BBQ shredded chicken can be made a day or two in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.

• Toast Your Buns: Don't skip toasting the buns! It adds a lovely texture and prevents them from getting soggy from the saucy chicken.

• Slow Cooker Method: For a hands-off approach, combine all chicken and sauce ingredients in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is easily shredded.

• Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the BBQ mixture for a bit of heat.

• Gluten-Free Option: Simply use gluten-free hamburger buns to make this recipe suitable for a gluten-free diet. Ensure your BBQ sauce is also certified gluten-free.

Estimated Nutrition Per Serving (approximate, for 6 servings without toppings)

• Calories: 350-400 kcal

• Protein: 30-35 g

• Carbs: 35-40 g

• Fat: 10-15 g

Shopping List

• Chicken breasts or thighs

• Olive oil

• Onion

• Garlic

• Chicken broth

• BBQ sauce

• Smoked paprika

• Chili powder

• Salt

• Black pepper

• Hamburger buns

• Optional: Coleslaw, dill pickles, red onion

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Quick summary: Tender BBQ shredded chicken on toasted buns, perfect for an easy, flavorful meal.