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    Home » Recipes » Chicken

    BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich

    Published: Aug 22, 2022 by Kate

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    A table with sandwiches and text: Barbecue Puled Chicken Sandwich.
    A sandwich on a wooden board, with list of ingredients and text: BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich.

    This easy BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich recipe is made with chicken breast baked in BBQ sauce and seasonings, then added to mini slider buns. Make the perfect game-day appetizer, simple dinner, or main course for your next party!

    A table with bbq pulled chicken sandwiches.
    BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich

    This BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich recipe is sooooo easy and tastes incredible! Serve it for lunch, dinner with sides, or as a game day appetizer.

    The changing of the seasons means many things, but to food and sports lovers, it means game day! Enjoying bite-sized foods and appetizers is a given when watching any game, whether it’s the Superbowl, basketball, baseball, or hockey.

    There are certain snacks and appetizers that just make sense when it comes to game day eats and one of those foods is sliders.

    Sliders are small sandwiches, usually on mini buns, that are easy to eat and usually have some sort of meat or protein as the main ingredient. Sliders can be served as an appetizer or a main meal and they’re perfect for game day!

    This recipe for pulled chicken sliders combines shredded chicken with the sweet and smoky flavor of BBQ sauce. Make this easy recipe for a potluck, or game day, or enjoy them as a main course with your favorite side dishes. No matter how you enjoy them, we promise they won't last long!

    Serve your barbecue pulled chicken sandwiches along with side dishes such as KFC Macaroni Salad, Texas Roadhouse Seasoned Rice, Mexican Stuffed Poblano Peppers, or Soy Garlic Chicken Wings.

    Jump to:
    • Why Make This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Cook's Tips
    • Variations
    • Storage & Freezing
    • FAQs
    • More chicken recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments
    Close up of a barbecue pulled chicken sandwich.

    Why Make This Recipe

    This bbq pulled chicken sandwich recipe can easily be doubled or tripled if you're feeding a large crowd.

    The recipe only takes 45 minutes to make, from start to finish! Even shorter if you use leftover shredded rotisserie chicken.

    You can customize the flavors of the BBQ sauce to your liking. Make it as spicy or as sweet as you want!

    This recipe is perfect for game day, but it's also great for a weeknight dinner. Serve pulled chicken sliders with a side of roasted potatoes or a simple salad for a complete meal.

    Ingredients

    • Chicken Breast - This high-protein meat is the best way to soak up the flavors of BBQ sauce when shredded and added to slider rolls.
    • Cooking Oil - Used to help the chicken cook properly, so the seasonings stick.
    • Brown Sugar - Adds a bold, sweet flavor to the chicken that compliments the smoky flavors in the BBQ sauce.
    • Garlic Powder - Adds extra garlic flavor to the chicken.
    • Chili Powder - Gives the chicken a punch of smoky flavor and heat.
    • BBQ Sauce - You can use any flavor or brand of BBQ sauce you enjoy. We enjoy the flavor of Sweet Baby Ray's.

    For Serving:

    • 12 slider buns
    • Lettuce
    • Tomato
    • Shredded Red Cabbage

    Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full quantities.

    Instructions

    Wondering how to make this BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich recipe? It's easy!

    Just follow this step-by-step photo tutorial. Then, scroll down for the recipe card for the full ingredients list and recipe method.

    Prepare for baking: Preheat the oven to 400F (200C). Get out a casserole dish and set it aside.

    Combine the chicken seasoning: Stir the oil, brown sugar, and garlic powder together until fully combined.

    Baked seasoned chicken breasts.

    Cook the chicken breast: Add the chicken breasts to a lidded casserole dish and brush with the oil mixture. Put on the lid and bake the chicken for 25 minutes or until cooked.

    Using forks to pull the chicken.

    Shred and season: While the chicken is hot, shred. Using two forks, gently pull the chicken apart until its shredded. Pour the barbecue sauce over the pulled chicken and stir to combine.

    Barbecue sauce added to the pulled chicken.

    Assemble the sliders: Cut the slider buns open, top with BBQ shredded chicken, sliced tomatoes, lettuce and red cabbage. Serve and enjoy!

    Assembling the sandwiches.

    Cook's Tips

    When cooking chicken breast, the internal temperature of the chicken is 165 degrees Fahrenheit. You can measure this with an instant-read thermometer to ensure it's safe to consume.

    There are many ways you can shred chicken. Use a food processor, electric hand mixer, or even your hands if the chicken is cool enough.

    For extra flavor, try basting the chicken with BBQ sauce while it bakes.

    This recipe can easily be doubled to feed a larger crowd. Just cook two pans of chicken at once and double the amount of BBQ sauce.

    Chicken safety: Wash hands, surfaces, and utensils thoroughly after handling raw chicken. Before serving, ensure the chicken is piping hot and thoroughly cooked, juices run clear and no pink color remains.

    Variations

    Use other types of meat: You can easily substitute the chicken for pulled pork, beef, or turkey. Just make sure the cooking time and temperature are adjusted properly.

    Add more vegetables: Try adding shredded carrots, onions, or celery to the slaw mix.

    Make it a slider: Serve the BBQ chicken on a toasted slider-sized bun with all your favorite slider toppings.

    Change up the sauce: Instead of BBQ sauce, use buffalo sauce, donair sauce, chipotle southwest sauce, teriyaki sauce, or dill honey mustard.

    Add some heat: If you like spicy things, try adding cayenne pepper to the chicken seasoning mixture or serve with hot sauce on the side.

    Storage & Freezing

    Any cooled leftover pulled chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.

    You can also freeze this recipe for later. Place the cooled chicken in a freezer-safe bag or container and store it in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge when you're ready to enjoy it again. 

    The best way to reheat this recipe is in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and place the chicken on a baking sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes or until heated through. You can also reheat it in the microwave, but it may dry out faster. Add additional BBQ sauce as needed.

    A pulled chicken sandwich.

    FAQs

    Can I use pre-cooked chicken for this recipe?

    Yes, you can use pre-cooked chicken. Just shred it and add it to the sauce. You'll need about three cups of shredded chicken.

    Do I have to use a casserole dish?

    No, you don't have to use a casserole dish. Any oven-safe baking dish will work just fine.

    What can I serve with these sandwiches?

    These bbq chicken sliders go great with chips and dip, roasted vegetables, or a simple side salad.

    More chicken recipes

    We hope that you love this tasty BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich recipe! Be sure to also check out these other chicken dishes too!

    • Chicken Leg Quarters
    • Pesto Chicken
    • Honey Mustard Chicken Legs
    • Tajin Chicken

    Be sure to subscribe to my free Newsletter and follow me on Facebook and Pinterest for more tasty recipes!

    📖 Recipe

    A table with bbq pulled chicken sandwiches.

    BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich

    This easy BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich recipe is made with chicken breast baked in BBQ sauce and seasonings, then added to buns with toppings!
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer, Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: bbq pulled chicken sliders, game day food, party food, pulled chicken
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 329kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Casserole Dish with lid

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound chicken breast
    • 1 tablespoon oil
    • ¼ cup brown sugar
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon chili powder
    • 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce

    To serve

    • 12 slider buns
    • Lettuce
    • Tomato
    • Shredded red cabbage

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
    • Stir the oil, brown sugar and garlic powder together.
    • Add the chicken breasts to a lidded casserole dish and brush with the oil mixture.
    • Put on the lid and bake the chicken for 25 minutes or until cooked (the internal temperature of the chicken is 165 degrees fahrenheit. You can measure this with an instant read thermometer.)
    • Using two forks, gently pull the chicken apart into shreds.
    • Pour the barbecue sauce over the pulled chicken and stir.
    • Cut the slider buns open, top with some shredded chicken, sliced tomatoes, lettuce and red cabbage.
    • Serve and enjoy!
    Tried this recipe?Head down to the comments and give it a star rating!

    Notes

    When cooking chicken breast, the internal temperature of the chicken is 165 degrees Fahrenheit. You can measure this with an instant-read thermometer to ensure it's safe to consume.
    There are many ways you can shred chicken. Use a food processor, electric hand mixer, or even your hands if the chicken is cool enough.
    For extra flavor, try basting the chicken with BBQ sauce while it bakes.
    This recipe can easily be doubled to feed a larger crowd. Just cook two pans of chicken at once and double the amount of BBQ sauce.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 329kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 153mg | Potassium: 315mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 85IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 63mg | Iron: 2mg

    The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

    More Chicken Recipes

    • Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
    • Crockpot Cheesy Chicken and Rice
    • Mustard Mayonnaise Chicken Drumsticks
    • Dutch Oven Whole Chicken

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Savita

      August 22, 2022 at 11:06 am

      5 stars
      These burgers look so damm delicious, the recipe is so easy to follow. Perfect when I want to have a quick dinner.

      Reply
    2. Aimee Mars

      August 22, 2022 at 11:54 am

      5 stars
      Love this fast and delicious recipe. 35 minutes total is right up my alley. Even the kids ate this 🙂

      Reply
    3. Tom

      August 25, 2022 at 12:49 pm

      5 stars
      My family loved this! We had some slider buns in the freezer, and chicken. Defrosted it all, cooked it up and the family gobbled it down! Next time I'll serve it up with your KFC Macaroni salad!

      Reply
    4. Jen

      August 25, 2022 at 1:05 pm

      5 stars
      family loved it

      Reply
    5. Dan

      August 26, 2022 at 1:09 pm

      5 stars
      These sandwiches were so good. We had them fully loaded and delicious.

      Reply

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    Kate cooking.

    Hi, I'm Kate! You Say Potatoes, I say, well, potatoes. I'm a cookbook author and journalist from the Pacific Northwest. Here you'll find easy, budget-friendly recipes made from scratch.

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