Description
These Easy Pulled Chicken Sandwiches are a nutritious, flavorful, and versatile meal perfect for lunch or dinner. Tender, shredded chicken in a deliciously tangy sauce, served on a soft bun, makes for a satisfying sandwich. This recipe is easy to customize for gluten-free, low-carb, or keto diets, and it provides a generous amount of protein, making it both a delicious and muscle-building meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (900 g) Chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 sandwich buns (gluten-free buns can be used for a gluten-free version)
- Optional toppings: coleslaw, pickles, or sliced onions
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook the chicken breasts for 6-8 minutes per side, or until fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C). Alternatively, you can cook the chicken in a slow cooker on low for 4-6 hours or in an Instant Pot for 15 minutes on high pressure.
- Shred the Chicken: Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the skillet and shred it using two forks or a stand mixer with a paddle attachment.
- Add the BBQ Sauce: In the skillet (or slow cooker/Instant Pot if you used one), add the shredded chicken back in and stir in the BBQ sauce. Cook for another 3-5 minutes on low heat until the chicken is coated in the sauce and heated through.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Toast the sandwich buns if desired. Spoon the pulled chicken onto the buns and top with optional toppings such as coleslaw, pickles, or sliced onions.
- Serve: Serve the pulled chicken sandwiches hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Gluten-Free Option: To make this dish gluten-free, simply use gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps instead of regular sandwich buns.
- Low-Carb/Keto Option: Serve the pulled chicken over a bed of leafy greens or in a low-carb, keto-friendly bun to keep the meal low-carb.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a drizzle of ranch dressing or extra BBQ sauce on top of the shredded chicken.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes (if using skillet method)
- Category: Main Course, Sandwiches
- Method: Stovetop, Slow Cooker, or Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Pulled chicken sandwiches, BBQ chicken, easy pulled chicken, shredded chicken, sandwich recipe, gluten-free pulled chicken