Tender Pulled Barbecue Chicken Sandwich (Print Version)

Tender pulled barbecue chicken on brioche buns topped with tangy slaw for an easy, satisfying comfort meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pulled Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1.2 lbs)
02 - 1 cup barbecue sauce
03 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
05 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
08 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Coleslaw

09 - 2 cups shredded green cabbage
10 - 1 cup shredded red cabbage
11 - 1 medium carrot, grated
12 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise
13 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
14 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
15 - 1 teaspoon honey
16 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Assembly

17 - 4 brioche buns
18 - 1 tablespoon butter, optional for toasting buns

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F.
02 - Place chicken breasts in a baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
03 - Pour chicken broth into the dish. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and tender.
04 - While the chicken cooks, combine green cabbage, red cabbage, and grated carrot in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper. Pour dressing over vegetables and toss to coat. Refrigerate until ready to use.
05 - Remove chicken from oven and shred using two forks. Discard any excess liquid. Mix shredded chicken with barbecue sauce until well coated. Return to oven, uncovered, for 8 to 10 minutes to heat through and intensify flavor.
06 - If desired, butter the brioche buns and toast them lightly in a skillet or under the broiler.
07 - Pile pulled barbecue chicken onto the bottom half of each bun. Top generously with coleslaw and add the bun tops. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The tangy slaw balances the smoky sweetness of the barbecue chicken in every bite.
  • It comes together in about an hour with simple ingredients you probably already have.
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep or next-day lunches.
  • The tender, juicy chicken shreds effortlessly and soaks up all that rich sauce.
02 -
  • Don't skip covering the chicken with foil during the first bake, it traps steam and keeps the meat juicy.
  • Shred the chicken while it's still warm, it pulls apart much easier than when it cools down.
  • Let the slaw sit in the fridge for at least 15 minutes, the dressing softens the cabbage just enough without making it soggy.
03 -
  • Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken reaches 165°F, it takes the guesswork out of doneness.
  • If your barbecue sauce is very sweet, add an extra teaspoon of vinegar to the slaw to balance it out.
  • Letting the chicken rest for a few minutes after baking makes it easier to shred and keeps the juices from running everywhere.
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