Pulled chicken sandwich on a bun with saucy shredded chicken, topped with sesame seeds and served on a white plate

Dinner

Pulled Chicken Sandwiches – The Ultimate Chicken “Sloppy Joes” 🍗🥪

Name: Pulled Chicken Sandwiches – The Ultimate Chicken “Sloppy Joes” 🍗🥪
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 TBSP oil; 1 yellow onion, diced; 2 lbs boneless and skinless chicken thighs; 1¼ tsp coarse kosher salt; ¾ tsp ground black pepper; ¾ cup ketchup; 1 TBSP brown sugar; 5 garlic cloves, pressed or minced; 1 TBSP Dijon mustard; 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce; 1 TBSP Sriracha or other hot sauce; 1 cup water; green onions, sliced (for garnish, to taste); hamburger buns for serving

If you're looking for a satisfying sandwich that's rich, saucy, and packed with flavor, this Pulled Chicken recipe is exactly what you need! Think of it as the chicken version of your favorite Sloppy

5.0 (1)

Prep

15 min

braise

1hr 30min

Cook

—

Total

15 min

Serves

Style

💰 Everyday

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Originally Published February 2023•Last Updated September 2024

Ingredients

Servings:

1 TBSP oil
1 yellow onion, diced
2 lbs boneless and skinless chicken thighs
1¼ tsp coarse kosher salt
¾ tsp ground black pepper
¾ cup ketchup
1 TBSP brown sugar
5 garlic cloves, pressed or minced
1 TBSP Dijon mustard
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 TBSP Sriracha or other hot sauce
1 cup water
green onions, sliced (for garnish, to taste)
hamburger buns for serving

Instructions

1
Place all the ingredients except water in a large pan in the order they are listed: oil, followed by onions, chicken, salt and pepper, ketchup, brown sugar, garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and sriracha. Pour water on top. Bring everything to a simmer on high heat. Once it simmers, reduce to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 1½ hours (90 minutes). Make sure to maintain a gentle simmer—if you cook this too aggressively, the chicken will be tough.
2
When cooked, similar to pulled pork, use 2 forks to pull the chicken apart. Top with green onions and serve on top of toasted buns. Enjoy!

FAQ

Can you make pulled chicken sandwiches ahead of time?+

Yes! You can make the pulled chicken and sauce up to 3 days ahead and store it in an airtight container in the fridge—it actually tastes better the next day as the flavors meld. Just reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.

What can I use instead of sriracha if I don't have it?+

You can swap sriracha for any hot sauce you like (Frank's RedHot, jalapeño sauce, or cayenne pepper), or skip it entirely if you prefer a milder sandwich—the sauce is plenty flavorful without the heat.

Why is my pulled chicken tough or dry?+

Chicken thighs are forgiving, but if yours came out dry, you might have simmered it too long past 90 minutes or cooked it at too high a temperature; stick to medium-low heat and don't skip stirring occasionally so the chicken cooks evenly in the sauce.

What sides pair best with pulled chicken sandwiches?+

The recipe suggests sweet potato fries and coleslaw, which balance the rich, saucy chicken perfectly—the cool, crunchy slaw cuts through the sweetness, and pickles or pickled jalapeños on the side add an extra tangy kick if you want more brightness.