Description
Juicy, tender pulled chicken thighs slow-cooked with tangy BBQ sauce and aromatics, served on toasted brioche buns for a stress-free game day meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced into half-moons
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1.5 cups tangy barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 8–10 butter buns or brioche buns
- Butter for toasting buns
Instructions
- Slice the yellow onion into thin half-moons and mince the garlic cloves.
- Place the sliced onions at the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker pot to create a protective layer.
- Arrange the chicken thighs on top of the onions in a single layer.
- Sprinkle the minced garlic, smoked paprika, and brown sugar evenly over the chicken thighs.
- Whisk together the barbecue sauce and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl.
- Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken, drizzling any remaining sauce into the cracks.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours until the chicken is tender and falling apart.
- Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks.
- Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir gently to coat with the sauce.
- Toast the buns lightly with butter in a skillet.
- Pile the shredded chicken onto the bottom halves of the buns and serve immediately.
Notes
Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for maximum moisture; avoid chicken breasts as they dry out. Toasting the buns is essential to prevent sogginess. Reserve some sauce before mixing to use as a fresh topping. The dish can be made in an Instant Pot by pressure cooking for 15 minutes. Sauce can be thickened by simmering the liquid in a saucepan for 10 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich with bun
- Calories: 450
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
Keywords: slow cooker, pulled chicken, BBQ chicken, game day recipes, easy dinner, chicken thighs, brioche buns, meal prep