Tender Pulled Barbecue Chicken Sandwich (Printable)

Tender pulled barbecue chicken on brioche buns topped with tangy slaw. An easy, satisfying comfort food classic.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pulled Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 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

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Set oven temperature 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 baking dish. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tender.
04 - In a large bowl, combine green cabbage, red cabbage, and grated carrot. In a separate 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 8-10 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 Advice:

01 -
  • It delivers that low-and-slow barbecue vibe in just an hour, no smoker or grill required.
  • The tangy slaw cuts through the richness and adds a satisfying crunch that makes every bite feel complete.
  • You can prep the slaw ahead and shred the chicken in minutes, leaving you time to actually enjoy your people.
  • It works beautifully for a weeknight dinner or a casual weekend gathering without any stress.
02 -
  • Don't skip covering the chicken with foil during the first bake, or it will dry out and you'll lose that pull-apart tenderness.
  • Make the slaw at least 15 minutes ahead so the cabbage softens just enough and the dressing soaks in.
  • If your barbecue sauce is very sweet, add a splash of vinegar or hot sauce to balance it out before tossing with the chicken.
03 -
  • Toast the buns even if you think you don't have time, that buttery crunch makes the whole sandwich feel more intentional.
  • If the chicken seems dry after shredding, stir in a splash of the reserved broth before adding the barbecue sauce.
  • Let the sauced chicken sit in the oven uncovered for those final minutes so the edges get a little caramelized and sticky.
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