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bbq chicken sandwich made with pulled chicken. Sitting on a green and white napkin.
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5 from 10 votes

BBQ Pulled Chicken Recipe

Pulled Chicken Sandwiches tossed with a glorious barbecue sauce made with root beer and molasses are sure to delight friends and family this summer! Chicken thighs are generously seasoned with a simple 4 ingredient rub recipe, grilled, and then tossed with an easy from-scratch barbecue sauce that will have you licking your fingers in delight!
Course Dinner, Entree, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword bbq chicken sandwich, bbq pulled chicken, how to make pulled chicken, pulled chicken, pulled chicken recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 226kcal
Author Trish - Mom On Timeout

Ingredients

Pulled Chicken

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Root Beer BBQ Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ large yellow onion diced
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • teaspoon ground cayenne pepper optional
  • ½ cup root beer
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons molasses
  • 8 rolls or buns
  • coleslaw optional

Instructions

Pulled Chicken

  • Heat grill to 400°F.
  • Combine the ingredients for the rub in a small bowl and set aside.
  • Drizzle chicken with olive oil and generously season both sides with the rub. Chill until ready to grill or make immediately.
  • Place chicken on the prepared grill and grill over direct heat until cooked through, flipping once or twice. Keep the lid closed while grilling. Juices should run clear when done.
  • Let chicken cool for a few minutes and then shred the chicken.

Root Beer BBQ Sauce

  • Meanwhile, or even before cooking the chicken, prepare the barbecue sauce. Heat olive oil in a 3 quart saucepan over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and translucent.
  • Stir in chili powder, garlic powder and cayenne pepper.
  • Pour in root beer and stir to combine.Stir in ketchup, lemon juice and molasses.
  • Bring sauce to a boil over medium-high heat and then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes or until sauce has thickened. 
  • Add the pulled chicken to the barbecue sauce and stir to combine.
  • Top toasted buns with chicken mixture and coleslaw if you like.

Video

Notes

Storage Information
Refrigerator: Pulled chicken should be cooled and then stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Chicken can be reheated on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave.
Freeze: To freeze, cool the bbq pulled chicken and transfer to a freezer-safe, ziploc bag. Chicken can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and then reheat on the stovetop or microwave.

Nutrition

Calories: 226kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 108mg | Sodium: 673mg | Potassium: 478mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 518IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 2mg