Quickly Shred Bbq Chicken: A Tasty, Fast Feast

Shredded BBQ chicken is a quick, easy, and versatile meal that can be made in a variety of ways, including in a slow cooker, Instant Pot, or on the stovetop. It's perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd, and can be used in sandwiches, salads, wraps, pizzas, tacos, and more. The key to delicious shredded BBQ chicken is in the sauce, and you can use a store-bought BBQ sauce or make your own with ingredients like apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and liquid smoke.

Choosing the right BBQ sauce

The barbecue sauce you use will have a significant impact on the flavour of your shredded chicken. The right sauce will complement the chicken without being too overpowering, and you can adjust the ingredients to find your favourite balance.

Flavour

A good BBQ sauce should have a balance of tang and sweetness. You can experiment with the seasoning to find your preferred flavour profile. For a spicier sauce, add more cayenne and chilli powder. Alternatively, for a sweeter sauce, add more sugar and paprika.

Ingredients

BBQ sauces can be made with a variety of ingredients, including ketchup, coconut sugar or brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, sriracha, garlic powder, onion powder, and chilli powder. You can also add liquid smoke for a hint of smokiness.

Timing

The timing of when you add the BBQ sauce to your chicken is crucial. Brushing the sauce on the chicken about 10 minutes before it's ready will allow the sauce to caramelize without burning. Adding the sauce too early will cause it to burn, imparting a nasty flavour to your meat.

Store-Bought vs. Homemade

You can use either store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce for your shredded chicken. Store-bought sauces offer convenience and variety, while making your own sauce allows you to control the ingredients and ensure they are natural and free from additives or preservatives.

Customisation

If you want to customise your sauce, you can try making your own ketchup to ensure it is free from soy and gluten. You can also adjust the spices and seasonings to create a unique flavour profile that suits your taste preferences.

Versatility

Your chosen BBQ sauce should be versatile and complement a variety of dishes. In addition to using it as a marinade or glaze for your shredded chicken, you can also use it as a dipping sauce, mix it with mayo for sandwiches or burgers, or add it to cold pasta or potato salad for an extra flavour boost.

Using a slow cooker

Ingredients

You will need:

• 3 lbs (about 5-6) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed of fat
• 1 1/2 cups BBQ Sauce (try a brand like Sweet Baby Rays Honey BBQ, or make your own)
• 1/2 medium onion, grated (with juice)
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar

Method

• Stir together all the sauce ingredients in a 5-6 qt slow cooker.
• Place the chicken in the slow cooker and turn to coat in the sauce.
• Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours, or on low for 6-7 hours. The timing will depend on the thickness of your chicken and the size of your slow cooker, so check on it early. It will also cook faster if you are making a smaller batch. The chicken is done when it is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165˚F and is easy to shred.
• Remove the chicken to a cutting board and shred each breast using two forks.
• Place the shredded chicken back in the slow cooker and stir to coat with the sauce.

Tips

• You can make this recipe in a batch to freeze for later. Simply defrost and use on sandwiches, BBQ chicken pizza, tacos, nachos, salads, burrito bowls, etc.
• If you want to add extra ingredients to your sauce, try red and yellow peppers, carrots, or brown sugar instead of white sugar.

Browning the chicken

To brown the chicken, heat some oil in an oven-safe skillet on the stovetop. You can use olive oil or butter. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the seasoned chicken to the skillet. It's important not to overcrowd the pan, so work in batches if necessary. Cook the chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side, until it is lightly browned. The chicken will not be fully cooked at this stage and that's fine. Browning the chicken should take no more than 5 minutes in total.

If you are making a large batch of shredded BBQ chicken, you can also sear the chicken in an electric pressure cooker or slow cooker if it has a browning/searing function.

Shredding the chicken

To shred the chicken, use two forks or tongs. Hold one fork in each hand and use one to hold the chicken down and the other to tear away pieces of meat, shredding them into smaller sections. Alternatively, you can use a handheld electric mixer or a stand mixer to shred the chicken. Place the chicken in a large bowl and turn the mixer on to medium-low. The beaters will break up the meat as they spin. Continue until the chicken is mostly shredded, then use your hands to tear apart any remaining larger pieces.

Once the chicken is shredded, return it to the pan of sauce and stir until well-coated.

Serving suggestions

There are endless ways to serve shredded BBQ chicken, and it's a great recipe to have in your back pocket for busy weeknights. Here are some ideas for how to serve your shredded BBQ chicken:

Sandwiches and Wraps

Shredded BBQ chicken is a great filling for sandwiches, wraps, and sliders. You can serve it on a lightly toasted bun with mayonnaise and coleslaw, or add a slice of pineapple, bacon, and Monterey Jack cheese. For a zesty kick, try a Bacon Pineapple BBQ sandwich. If you're after something a little more classic, pile your chicken onto a potato bun with some homemade slaw for a summer picnic vibe.

Salads and Nachos

For a lighter option, serve your shredded BBQ chicken on a bed of romaine lettuce with some red onions, shredded cheese, and ranch dressing. You can also add it to nachos, along with toppings like cheese, red onions, jalapeños, and cilantro.

Pizzas and Tacos

Get creative with your toppings by adding shredded BBQ chicken to your pizza or tacos. For a pizza, add some smoked gouda, red onions, and cilantro, and for tacos, try adding black beans and grilled corn salsa.

Other Ideas

Shredded BBQ chicken is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. You can add it to mac 'n' cheese for some extra protein, or make epic BBQ chicken nachos or quesadillas. It also goes well with mashed potatoes, or you can simply serve it on its own with a side dish.

Frequently asked questions