I like to make this type of sandwich especially for a big crowd. One benefit is I can make this in the slow cooker ahead of time and then just reheat. I already have posted recipes for Pulled Pork and Barbecue Beef Sandwiches and now this finishes my “pulled” recipes. I have adapted this recipe from America’s Test Kitchens who have scientific reasons for everything they make.
Comment: After making this a couple of times, there were always little bones scattered throughout the pulled chicken, which I did not like at all. I will use chicken breasts the next time and cut back on the cooking time. Adjust the seasonings.
Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken
- 7 (10 to 12 oz. or about 84 oz. total) bone-in split chicken breasts, trimmed (you can substitute some of the chicken breasts with boneless chicken thighs if desired for more flavor – I also skinned the chicken as I did not want to deal with it having sauce all over it) see comment below
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 onion, chopped fine
- 1/2 cup tomato paste
- 2 tbsp. veggie oil
- 5 tsp. chili powder
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1 cup ketchup (I had to add 1 more cup because the chicken was too dry as I did use the higher amount of chicken – I also adjusted the seasonings to taste)
- 1/3 cup molasses
- 2 tbsp. brown mustard
- 4 tsp. cider vinegar
- 4 tsp. hot sauce; ATK suggested Frank’s hot sauce but I prefer to use Sriracha
- 3/4 tsp. liquid smoke
Pat chicken dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Combine onion, tomato paste, oil, chili powder, garlic, and cayenne in bowl and microwave until onion softens slightly, about 3 minutes, stirring halfway through microwaving. Transfer mixture to slow cooker and whisk in ketchup, molasses, mustard and vinegar. Add these ingredients to taste to get a flavor you like. Add chicken to slow cooker and toss to combine with sauce. Cover and cook on high 1 hour, then on low for about 4 hours or until chicken shreds easily with a fork. Be careful shredding the chicken as there can be little bones and you certainly do not want to bite down on a bone!
Transfer the chicken to a carving board and tent loosely with aluminum foil and let rest for 15 minutes. Skim any fat from sauce. Whisk hot sauce and liquid smoke into sauce and cover to keep warm. Remove and discard chicken skin and bones. Shred the meat into thin strands. Return meat to slow cooker and toss to coat with sauce. Adjust seasonings.
Comment: After making this a couple of times, there were always little bones scattered throughout the pulled chicken, which I did not like at all. I will use chicken breasts the next time and cut back on the cooking time. Adjust the seasonings.
Recipe by cookingwithauntjuju.com
The chicken is done and ready to be shredded and then combined with the sauce.
Pulled pork is a regular menu item at our house. I’ll have to try this pulled chicken for a healthier change of pace once in a while.
I never get tired of a “pulled” sandwich 🙂
Oh, that looks good, Judi! That chicken looks like it is just fulling to bits. And you know how much I love ATK’s recipes! Delicious I’m sure and perfect for a crowd.
Thanks Ngan – we both enjoy ATK’s recipes. I wish I could include all of their reasoning behind each recipe! During these hot months it is always good to use your slow cooker 🙂
Yum! I will definitely be making these.
These sandwiches are always fun to make for a crowd 🙂
Oh! This looks so yum!! 😀
Thanks Jhuls – chicken, pork or beef “pulled” sandwiches are so simple to make and always a crowd pleaser 🙂
This looks wonderful, perfect for a sandwich. Great job!
Thanks – you can never go wrong with an ATK recipe 🙂
This will be great for the summer potluck coming up! Yay!
Perfect for potlucks, family/friends or just to make ahead of time and pull out when you need something to feed guests 🙂
How many people does it serve?
10 – 12 🙂
Perfect! I’ll try this, for sure.
I really like meals like this, Aunt Juju. Yum! 🙂
Thank you Fae – simple and good 🙂
Oh this is making me so hungry, Judi! What a perfect summer meal! 🙂
I love do ahead recipes and slow cooker ones as well – makes for easy entertaining 🙂
Oh.. that chicken looks good! We’ve seen a lot of recipes for pork and we don’t eat pork so it’s really good to see a pulled chicken recipe!
Thanks Aditi – this recipe is easy to adapt to your taste 🙂
I am tiring of pulled pork & I’m ready for this!!! 🙂 Sounds great! I always feel that America’s Test Kitchen is over -the-top opinionated… but their recipes are usually successful!! 🙂 Do you think I could skip the liquid smoke?
I agree totally about ATK that often their recipes are too complicated but some of them are worth making. Most definitely you could leave out the liquid smoke – just make this to your taste – that is what I did 🙂
This sounds like a wonderful dish, and it’s nice that it’s Weight Watcher’s, too!
Now that I’m looking at this again, I see it’s not WW–but it still sounds great! 🙂
Thanks – even though it is not a WW recipe it is not high in fat and of course you could cut back by using low sugar ketchup or honey for the sugar and I suppose the veggie oil could be left out 🙂
It sounds and looks delicious. Thanks for sharing.
Best Regards, Aquileana 😀
Thank you 🙂
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I made a version too… Thanks for the inspiration!! 🙂 Just posted it with a link to yours:
http://thebrookcook.wordpress.com/2014/08/09/slow-cooker-pulled-chicken-sandwiches/
Thanks a bunch – that is great as I will check out your recipe too. I love to compare, combine and use different ideas in recipes 🙂
Thank YOU! I love different adaptations of the same dish too. I always feel a little guilty modifying a Cook’s Illustrated recipe though- they are so over the top specific with their instructions. 🙂