π½οΈ BBQ Pulled Chicken (Easy, Hands-Off Dinner)
If you need a dinner that doesnβt require standing over the stove or turning on the oven, this is one of those go-to meals that just works.
Tender pulled chicken tossed in BBQ sauce β perfect for sandwiches, bowls, wraps, or whatever your night looks like. Itβs simple, flexible, and exactly the kind of dinner that helps take the stress out of busy days.
π Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs
(thighs have more flavor and stay extra juicy π) - 1β1Β½ cups BBQ sauce (your favorite)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or water
- 1 tbsp brown sugar (optional)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt & pepper
π©βπ³ Directions
π Slow Cooker (set it and forget it π)
- Add chicken to the slow cooker
- Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder
- Pour in broth (no BBQ sauce yet)
- Cook:
- LOW: 6β7 hours
- HIGH: 3β4 hours
- Shred the chicken
π Add BBQ sauce after shredding and stir to combine
π Pressure Cooker (my personal favorite π)
- Add chicken, seasoning, and broth
- Cook on HIGH pressure for 10β12 minutes
- Quick release
- Shred
π Stir in BBQ sauce after shredding
Why I love this optionπ
Itβs quick, hands-off, and you can cook the chicken straight from frozen β which makes it perfect for those nights you forgot to take something out.
π‘ Why add the sauce after? π
- Keeps the chicken more versatile
- Makes it easy to cook once, eat twice
- Use some plain for another meal (tacos, bowls, salads), then sauce the rest
π Shredding shortcut π
Use your Salad Choppers right in the pot or bowl β super fast and way less mess
π½οΈ How to Serve
- Sandwiches or sliders
- Over rice or in bowls
- Wraps or tacos
- On baked potatoes
π‘ Melanieβs Tips π
- Use thighs for more flavor, breasts for a leaner option
- Double the batch and save half for later in the week
- Store in the fridge 3β4 days or freeze for later
- Add coleslaw on top for an easy upgrade
π₯ Optional: Add a little heat π
If you like a little kick, stir in one of these when you add the BBQ sauce:
- A few dashes of hot sauce
- 1/2β1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- A pinch of cayenne
Start small and adjust to your taste β a little goes a long way
π Why this one works for those busy nights
β Hands-off cooking
β Minimal prep
β Flexible for multiple meals
β Perfect for busy weeks
β Works even if you forgot to thaw the chicken
π½οΈ What to Serve with BBQ Pulled Chicken π
Keep it super simple and grab a few easy sides β dinner doesnβt have to be complicated to work π
- Check the fridge for any leftover veggies β use what you already have π
- Chips or fries
- Fresh fruit or your prepped stay chill snack box
- Corn or any canned or frozen veg
- Side salad
- Baked beans
- Coleslaw (store-bought or homemade)
π Want to make this dinner even easier?
However your night looks, thereβs an easier way to get this on the table π
π Fast & simple
π Hands-off
π Already cooking? Make it quicker to finish

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