Loaded BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich

Whether you need an easy meal on a busy weeknight or something to feed a crowd on game day, having something waiting in the slow cooker can be a lifesaver.  These Loaded BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches are made with tender, slow-cooked chicken tossed in my homemade barbecue sauce, then piled onto toasted buns with cheese, bacon and coleslaw.

When I had kids in school, slow cooker recipes like this one were always my go-to on those busy nights when there was barely time to sit down and eat. It was so nice to put everything together in the morning and come home later in the day to a homemade meal, especially when time wasn’t on my side. Even now that it’s just the two of us, it takes the dreaded “what’s for dinner” question off the table!

And when the weekend rolls around, these pulled chicken sandwiches are just as good for a relaxed autumn lunch or paired with a Game Day Charcuterie Board for casual dinner gathered around the television on game day.

Why You’ll Love These BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

There’s so much to love about these slow cooker pulled chicken sandwiches, but these are a few of my own favourites:

• Easy to make: Once the chicken is cooked and shredded, the sandwiches come together quickly.
• Big BBQ flavour: Tossing the pulled chicken with an easy homemade barbecue sauce keeps every bite saucy and flavourful.
• Load them up: Add your favourite toppings for plenty of crunch, creaminess, and freshness.
• Feeds a crowd: Two pounds of chicken breast can make up to 10 sandwiches depending on how much you pile on and the size of the rolls you use.
• Easy to make ahead: You could easily make the barbecue pulled chicken a day or two ahead and store, covered, in the refrigerator. Just add a bit more sauce and heat it up in a saucepan before serving.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken

Chicken: 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best for this recipe

BBQ sauce: The easy homemade barbecue sauce made with simple pantry ingredients like chopped onions, ketchup, vinegar (white or cider), brown sugar, lemon juice, dry mustard and Worcestershire sauce. It requires just a few minutes of hands-on time and then is left to simmer for 30 minutes.

Seasonings: Rub the chicken breast with a combination of smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper

For the Sandwiches

Buns: I always serve these on soft cheese hamburger buns, but kaiser rolls or brioche buns work beautifully. I like to toast them lightly before adding the chicken.

Toppings: This is where you can really make these sandwiches your own. Must haves on my loaded pulled chicken sandwiches are bacon, cheese and coleslaw. 

How to Make Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken

Prepare the barbecue sauce – Brown onions with butter.  Add the rest of ingredients, bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Season the chicken breasts – Combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper.  Rub over both sides of chicken breasts.

Add everything to the slow cooker – Place the chicken in the slow cooker and pour barbecue sauce over top. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.

Shred the chicken – Once the chicken is cooked, shred it right in the slow cooker using with two forks. Let it warm through for a few minutes so all those delicious flavours can come together.

Toast the buns – Just before serving, slice the buns and toast them.  I wouldn’t skip this step. A toasted bun gives you just enough crisp texture to stand up to the saucy chicken and all the toppings.

Load them up – Pile the BBQ pulled chicken onto the toasted buns. Add bacon, cheese slices, and coleslaw or your own favourite toppings. Load them up to your heart’s desire! They are meant to be a bit messy and over-the-top!

What to Put on a Pulled Chicken Sandwich

There are so many ways to top these sandwiches, and this is a great opportunity to use whatever you happen to have in the refrigerator.

For a combination of creamy, crunchy, and tangy flavours, try:

• Creamy coleslaw
• Pickled onions
• Dill pickles
• Bacon
• Crispy fried onions
• Extra BBQ sauce
• Cheese

My favourite combination is crispy bacon slices and cheese melted under the broiler, then topped with coleslaw.

Just like my loaded baked potatoes, if you’re serving these to a crowd, putting all the toppings into little bowls and letting everyone assemble their own sandwich makes dinner particularly easy.

Tips for the Best Sandwiches

• Don’t skip the toasted bun, as it adds a sturdier texture for the saucy pulled chicken.
• Use enough barbecue sauce, the entire batch of homemade or 1 1/2 cups of your favourite bottled barbecue sauce.
• Serve this while the chicken is hot; just turn the slow cooker down to warm after the chicken has been shredded
• Make extra – this will be every bit as delicious as leftovers a day or two after

What to Serve with BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches

These sandwiches are pretty hearty on their own, but a few simple sides turn them into an easy dinner. Try them with crispy Dijon potatoes, corn on the cob, a simple green salad, or potato bacon salad for an extra-hearty dinner!

For a cozy autumn dinner, I love the idea of putting everything on the table and letting everyone help themselves. Nothing fancy, just good food and plenty of time to sit down and enjoy it.

Storing Leftovers

These are perfect for leftovers! Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply reheat in a saucepan or microwave with a bit of extra barbecue sauce.

An Easy Dinner for Busy Days

As much as I enjoy cooking, I don’t think dinner needs to be complicated to be worth sitting down for.

This is exactly the kind of recipe I turn to when the days are busy, or when I am just not in the mood to be in the kitchen too long. The slow cooker takes care of the chicken and, by dinner time, all that’s left to do is toast a few buns, set out the toppings, and gather everyone around the table.