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A close-up shot showing the texture of the tender pulled chicken in a rich, dark sauce. The focus highlights how juicy and flavorful the sandwich filling is.

Shredded Chicken Sandwiches (The Only Recipe You'll Need!)

The absolute best Shredded Chicken Sandwiches! Incredibly juicy, flavorful, and easy to make in a slow cooker, Instant Pot, or on the stovetop. This is the perfect recipe for a crowd-pleasing weeknight dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 8 sandwiches
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 8 brioche buns for serving

Equipment

  • 1 Slow Cooker, Instant Pot, or Dutch Oven
  • 1 Two Forks (for shredding)

Method
 

  1. Place chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker, Instant Pot, or Dutch oven. In a separate bowl, whisk together chicken broth, ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper. Pour the sauce over the chicken.
  2. Slow Cooker: Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Instant Pot: Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes, then naturally release for 10 minutes. Stovetop: Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook on low for 1.5-2 hours. The chicken is done when tender and cooked through.
  3. Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the pot. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
  4. Turn the cooking pot to a simmer (or sauté function). Let the remaining liquid cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has thickened slightly.
  5. Return the shredded chicken to the pot with the thickened sauce and stir well to combine. Serve the chicken mixture warm on toasted buns.

Notes

Toasting Buns: For the best texture, butter your buns and toast them in a hot skillet or under the broiler for 1-2 minutes until golden brown.
Make Ahead: This recipe is perfect for making ahead. The flavors meld and become even more delicious overnight. Store in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove.