Get ready to meet your new favorite meal: the ultimate Shredded BBQ Chicken Sandwich. This recipe delivers incredibly tender, juicy, and flavor-packed chicken, smothered in a rich and tangy BBQ sauce, all piled high on a soft brioche bun. It’s the kind of meal that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, a weekend cookout, or a crowd-pleasing party dish. Forget dry, disappointing chicken; this method guarantees mouthwatering results every single time. Best of all, we’ll show you how to make it in the slow cooker, Instant Pot, or right on the stovetop!
Why You’ll Love This Shredded BBQ Chicken Sandwich Recipe
This isn’t just another recipe; it’s a game-changer for busy households and flavor enthusiasts alike. It’s designed to be simple, versatile, and incredibly delicious.
- Effortlessly Easy: With minimal prep time, you can let your slow cooker or Instant Pot do all the work, making it a perfect set-it-and-forget-it meal.
- Amazingly Versatile: Serve it on buns, in wraps, over salads, or on top of nachos. The possibilities are endless!
- Crowd-Pleasing Flavor: The perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and tangy BBQ sauce is a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults.
- Meal-Prep Friendly: Make a big batch on Sunday for delicious and easy lunches or dinners all week long. The flavor gets even better overnight!
The Key Ingredients
The magic of this easy Shredded BBQ Chicken Sandwich lies in its simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create this masterpiece.
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are my go-to for their lean texture, but boneless, skinless chicken thighs also work wonderfully and add extra moisture.
- BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite store-bought brand for convenience, or try our simple homemade version below for an extra special touch.
- Onion & Garlic: A yellow onion and fresh garlic form the aromatic base, adding a deep layer of flavor to the sauce.
- Chicken Broth: This helps keep the chicken moist as it cooks and thins the sauce to the perfect consistency.
- Seasonings: A simple blend of smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and black pepper is all you need to perfectly season the chicken.
- Brown Sugar: A touch of brown sugar balances the acidity and adds a classic, subtle sweetness to the BBQ sauce.
- Worcestershire Sauce: This provides a deep, umami-rich flavor that makes the sauce truly irresistible.
- Buns: Soft brioche buns are the perfect vessel, but potato rolls or any sturdy, fresh bun will do the trick.
How to Make The Perfect Shredded BBQ Chicken Sandwich
We’re covering all the bases with three foolproof cooking methods. Choose the one that best fits your schedule!
Method 1: The Slow Cooker (Set it and Forget it)
- Prepare the Base: Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of your slow cooker. In a medium bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, chicken broth, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and all seasonings.
- Cook Low and Slow: Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Shred and Serve: Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to coat it completely in the delicious BBQ sauce. Let it sit for 10 minutes to absorb all the flavor before serving. For a similar easy crockpot meal, check out our Crockpot Taco Pasta recipe.
Method 2: The Instant Pot (Quick & Easy)
- Combine Ingredients: Place the chicken in the Instant Pot. In a separate bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients and pour over the chicken.
- Pressure Cook: Secure the lid and set the valve to “sealing.” Cook on HIGH pressure for 12 minutes. Once finished, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes before performing a quick release.
- Shred the Chicken: Carefully remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot. Stir well to combine with the sauce. If the sauce is too thin, use the SAUTE function for a few minutes to thicken it to your liking.
Method 3: The Stovetop (Classic & Simple)
- Simmer the Chicken: Place the chicken in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add all the sauce ingredients and stir to combine.
- Cook: Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it gently simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Shred and Combine: Remove the chicken from the pot, shred it, and then return it to the pot. Stir everything together and let it simmer for another 5 minutes to let the flavors meld. It’s a fantastic weeknight dinner, just like our Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo.
Expert Tips for the Best Results
Want to take your Shredded BBQ Chicken Sandwich to the next level? Follow these simple tips from our kitchen.
- Don’t Overcook: The key to juicy shredded chicken is to cook it until it’s just tender enough to shred easily. Overcooking can make it tough, even in sauce.
- Shred Like a Pro: For the quickest shredding, use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Just place the cooked chicken in the bowl and mix on low for 15-20 seconds for perfectly shredded chicken!
- Toast Your Buns: For the best texture and to prevent a soggy bottom, lightly butter your buns and toast them on a skillet or under the broiler for a minute or two until golden brown.
- Make it Your Own: Feel free to add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick or a drop of liquid smoke for a deeper, smoky flavor. If you enjoy unique chicken dishes, you might also like this Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken (coming soon).
What to Serve with Your Sandwich
A great sandwich deserves great sides. Here are some classic pairings that complement the rich flavors of the BBQ chicken perfectly.
- Classic Creamy Coleslaw
- Crispy French Fries or Sweet Potato Fries
- A fresh Three Bean Salad
- Macaroni and Cheese
- Corn on the Cob
Storage and Reheating Instructions
This recipe is perfect for leftovers, if you have any! Store the shredded BBQ chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply microwave in short bursts or gently warm it on the stovetop over low heat until heated through. Add a splash of chicken broth if needed to loosen it up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! This recipe is perfect for meal prep. You can prepare the chicken up to 3-4 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavors will meld and become even more delicious.
Yes, homemade BBQ sauce works wonderfully and allows you to control the sweetness and spice level. Simply substitute an equal amount of your homemade sauce for the store-bought version in the recipe.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through. Add a splash of chicken broth or water if it needs more moisture.
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a great lean option that shreds beautifully. For even more moisture and flavor, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
Classic sides like coleslaw, french fries, mac and cheese, corn on the cob, or a simple three-bean salad are all fantastic pairings for these sandwiches.
The Ultimate Shredded BBQ Chicken Sandwich
There you have it – a simple, delicious, and versatile recipe for the perfect Shredded BBQ Chicken Sandwich that will have everyone asking for seconds. It’s a true comfort food classic that’s built for good times and great company. We hope you love it as much as we do! If you make this recipe, don’t forget to leave a comment and share your creation on Pinterest!
Shredded BBQ Chicken Sandwich
Shredded BBQ Chicken Sandwich: The Juiciest, Easiest Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts at the bottom of your slow cooker. In a medium bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, chicken broth, chopped onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to coat it completely in the sauce. Let it sit for 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Serve hot on toasted brioche buns with your favorite toppings.
- Place chicken in the Instant Pot. Whisk together all sauce ingredients in a bowl and pour over the chicken.
- Secure the lid, set the valve to 'sealing,' and cook on HIGH pressure for 12 minutes. Allow a 10-minute natural pressure release before doing a quick release.
- Remove and shred the chicken, then return it to the pot and stir to coat. Use the SAUTE function to thicken the sauce if desired.
- Place chicken and all sauce ingredients in a large pot or Dutch oven. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.
- Remove chicken, shred, and return to the pot. Stir to combine and simmer for another 5 minutes.
Notes
Storage: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
