Making delicious BBQ shredded chicken at home is easier than you think. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can have tender, juicy BBQ shredded chicken that tastes like it came from your favorite restaurant.
Introduction to BBQ Shredded Chicken
BBQ shredded chicken is a classic boneless chicken dish that is soaked in a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce. It is then cooked until the chicken shreds easily, resulting in succulent pieces of chicken that are exploding with finger-licking barbecue flavor.
Shredded BBQ chicken has a textures contrast that can’t be beaten. The exterior pieces develop a lightly charred crust from the bbq sauce caramelizing, while the interior chicken pieces remain juicy and tender. When the chicken finishes cooking, you simply shred or pull it into smaller strands where the chicken soaks up even more of that delicious barbecue sauce.
This easy shredded chicken recipe only requires a few ingredients and is made right in the slow cooker or instant pot. Both methods result in fall-off-the-bone tender chicken soaked in rich homemade barbecue sauce. Just shred with two forks and pile it on hamburger buns for delicious pulled chicken sandwiches. Or serve bbq shredded chicken wrapped in tortillas, stuffed in baked potatoes, over salad, rice, pasta…the possibilities are endless!
The shredded chicken is also perfect meal prep. Make a big batch on your day off then portion and freeze individual servings. Thaw and reheat throughout the week for quick weekday lunches and dinners.
Some key tips when making bbq shredded chicken at home:
- Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. Boneless cuts shred easier.
- Cook low and slow. This tenderizes the chicken and infuses it with flavor.
- Shred across and against the grain. Mixing both directions ensures super shredded pieces.
- Toss the shredded chicken in bbq sauce. This adds even more flavor.
- Use the sauce leftovers as a serving sauce for sandwiches or dipping.
Follow this simple how-to guide for juicy, flavorful bbq shredded chicken every time.
Benefits of BBQ Shredded Chicken
Making bbq shredded chicken at home has many benefits:
- Customizable Recipe – Make the bbq chicken your way. Adjust spice level, smokiness, sweetness, etc.
- Healthy Protein – Shredded chicken is a lean source of protein and healthier than red meat.
- Time Saving – Make a big batch for easy weekday meals. Saves prep time.
- Kid Friendly – Kids love finger food and the sweet bbq flavor. Great for picky eaters.
- Shreds Easily – Fall-off-the-bone tender chicken that shreds perfectly with forks.
- Versatile – Use bbq shredded chicken in everything from sandwiches, tacos, pasta, soup, pizza and more!
- Savory and Satisfying – explode with finger-licking barbecue flavor.
So skip the takeout and make your own better-than-restaurant BBQ shredded chicken at home. Let’s get shredding!
How to Choose Boneless Chicken for Shredding
Selecting the right boneless chicken cut is an important first step for tender, juicy BBQ shredded chicken:
Breast vs Thighs
Both boneless, skinless chicken breasts and chicken thighs work well. Chicken thighs tend to be more moist and tender. Breasts stay slightly firmer. Use your preference.
Whole vs Pieces
Whole breasts or thighs are best since the meat stays together. Avoid using pre-cut pieces which may overcook.
Raw vs Frozen
Choose raw fresh chicken for maximum juiciness. Thaw frozen chicken in the fridge 1-2 days before cooking.
Size
Select equal sized pieces so they cook evenly. About 1 pound works well. Too large doesn’t shred well.
Quality
Look for premium quality chicken without excess fat or sinew for clean shredding. Free range and organic products are best.
Trim Excess Fat
Trim off any excess fat or connective tissue before cooking which can prevent even shredding later.
Pat Chicken Dry
Pat the raw chicken dry with paper towels. Excess moisture prevents the sauce from penetrating and caramelizing later.
By choosing boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs of uniform size and premium quality, you’ll set yourself up for tenderly cooked chicken perfect for shredding in bbq sauce. Now let’s get cooking!
How to Make BBQ Shredded Chicken in the Slow Cooker
Using a slow cooker is a hands-off, fuss-free way to make insanely tender and flavorful bbq shredded chicken. Here is a simple slow cooker shredded chicken recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1-2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon each salt, garlic powder, onion powder
Instructions:
- Trim and pat dry the chicken pieces. Place in slow cooker.
- Mix the sauce ingredients in a bowl. Whisk well to dissolve the sugar.
- Pour sauce over the chicken. Flip chicken to coat both sides.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours. Do not open the lid during cooking.
- Shred the chicken by pulling it apart with two forks.
- Toss with sauce in the cooker pot.
- Serve BBQ chicken piled high on buns or as desired.
The low gentle heat of the slow cooker tenderizes the chicken over time, infusing it with smoky barbecue flavor. Shredding the fall-apart tender chicken after cooking blends the meat with the thickened sauce for finger-lickin’ good barbecue chicken.
Try these easy slow cooker shredded chicken recipe variations:
- Use different bbq sauces like spicy chipotle or tangy mustard bbq sauce.
- Add extra spices like smoked paprika, chipotles in adobo, or cayenne pepper for heat.
- Stir in extra ingredients like chopped onions or grated carrots during the last 30 mins of cooking.
- Replace 1/2 the barbecue sauce with salsa or ranch dressing for fun new flavors.
Set it and forget it with slow cooker BBQ shredded chicken!
How to Make Instant Pot BBQ Shredded Chicken
With an electric pressure cooker like the Instant Pot, you can have fall-off-the-bone BBQ shredded chicken ready in under an hour! Here is a simple Instant Pot shredded chicken recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1-2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon each garlic powder, onion powder, salt
Instructions:
- Trim and pat dry the chicken. Place in Instant Pot insert.
- Whisk the sauce ingredients together in a bowl until combined.
- Pour sauce over the chicken. Seal and pressure cook on HIGH for 15 mins.
- Vent steam then shred chicken by pulling it apart using two forks.
- Toss chicken with sauce left in pot. Let sit 5 mins.
- Serve bbq shredded chicken warm over rice, in tacos, etc.
The high pressure steam cooks the chicken in record time while infusing tons of flavor. Releasing the pressure and shredding the chicken combines it further with the thickened barbecue sauce.
Try these tasty Instant Pot BBQ shredded chicken options:
- For smoky flavor, add 1 tsp liquid smoke to the sauce.
- For spicy chicken, use Sriracha or hot pepper sauce instead of regular bbq sauce.
- For Mexican style, swap bbq sauce for an equal amount of salsa.
- For ranch chicken, use ranch dressing and onion soup mix instead.
With an Instant Pot, enjoy quick weeknight meals of bbq shredded chicken on demand.
How to Shred Cooked Chicken
Shredding the cooked chicken is one of the most important steps for perfect bbq shredded chicken texture. Follow these simple shredding tips:
Use Two Forks
- Insert each fork into the chicken from opposite directions.
- Pull the forks away from each other to tear and shred the meat.
Shred Across and Against the Grain
- Turn and shred the chicken in different directions for finer pieces.
Discard Fat or Bones
- Pick out any unwanted fat or bones as you shred for the best consistency.
Shred Completely
- Continue shredding in small batches until all chicken is shredded into fine pieces.
Toss with BBQ Sauce
- Add back any accumulated sauce in the cooker. Toss to coat chicken.
Properly shredding the cooked chicken ensures that the meat soaks up all the delicious barbecue sauce and is ready to pile high on buns or serve any way you like!
How to Serve BBQ Shredded Chicken
The possibilities are endless when it comes to serving up bbq shredded chicken! Here are some delicious ideas:
BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
- Pile shredded chicken on burger buns with extra sauce for classic sandwiches.
BBQ Chicken Tacos
- Warm tortillas, stuff with chicken, cheese, lettuce, salsa, sour cream for amazing tacos.
BBQ Chicken Pizza
- Top pizza crust with bbq sauce, chicken, red onion, cilantro, mozzarella.
BBQ Chicken Salad
- Toss chicken over salad greens, tomatoes, corn, avocado, ranch dressing for protein-packed salad.
BBQ Chicken Baked Potatoes
- Stuff baked potatoes with bbq chicken, cheddar cheese, bacon bits, green onions.
BBQ Chicken Pasta
- Mix chicken with cooked pasta shells or spirals. Toss with extra sauce.
The flavors pair well with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, avocado, corn and more. Get creative with how you use your tender bbq shredded chicken!
Tips for Juicy BBQ Shredded Chicken
Here are some handy tips for ensuring your homemade bbq shredded chicken is ultra juicy and flavorful:
- Pat the raw chicken dry before cooking so the sauce penetrates better.
- Cook low and slow to fully tenderize the chicken. High heat makes it dry out.
- Use bbq sauce as part of the cooking liquid for maximum flavor infusion.
- When shredding, save any accumulated sauce to toss with the chicken after.
- If chicken seems dry, splash in a bit of apple cider vinegar when tossing.
- Avoid overcooking. Use a food thermometer and stop cooking at 165°F (75°C).
- Let the finished chicken rest 5 minutes before serving so juices redistribute.
With my easy tips, you’ll have mouthwatering barbecue chicken bursting with juice and sweet smoky flavor!
BBQ Shredded Chicken FAQs
Get answers to all your top questions about making tasty bbq shredded chicken at home:
How long does it take to cook shredded chicken?
In the slow cooker, cook 7-8 hours on LOW. For the Instant Pot, cook just 15 mins on HIGH pressure then natural release.
Can you freeze and reheat bbq shredded chicken?
Yes! Portion into freezer bags and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw in fridge overnight before reheating.
How long does bbq shredded chicken last in the fridge?
Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 4 days. Reheat thoroughly before serving again.
What’s the best chicken for shredding or pulling?
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts work best. Cook until very tender before shredding.
How do you keep bbq shredded chicken moist?
Pat chicken dry before cooking. Cook gently in a sauce or broth. Avoid overcooking. Rest before serving.
What can I serve with bbq shredded chicken?
Serve on buns or tortillas, over rice/potatoes/pasta/salad, or just enjoy as-is! The options are endless.
Is instant pot or slow cooker better for shredded chicken?
Both make fabulously tender BBQ chicken! Instant Pot is faster while slow cooker lets you “set and forget” for hours.
Conclusion
Thanks for learning how to make crazy delicious BBQ shredded chicken at home. With a few simple tricks, ingredients, and steps you can have restaurant-worthy shredded chicken ready in the slow cooker, Instant Pot, or oven.
Keep the juicy shredded chicken on hand for easy sandwiches, tacos, salads, and more all week long. Your family and friends will go nuts over your incredible homemade barbecue chicken masterpiece!
Now get creative with additional shredded chicken recipe ideas. The possibilities are endless for this handy prepped chicken. Enjoy your journey from basic shredded chicken to mastering all kinds of bold new flavor combinations and recipes.