Quick & Easy Shredded BBQ Chicken

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This quick & easy Shredded BBQ Chicken recipe is a summer staple! Dust chicken breasts or thighs with a seriously flavorful homemade BBQ dry rub. Sear on the stovetop & bake in the oven in a smoky & tangy BBQ sauce. The result is juicy, fall-apart tender, & super flavorful BBQ chicken! Shred it up & use it in just about anything – sandwiches, sliders, pizza, tacos, & so much more.

Make-ahead & freezer-friendly with slow cooker & Instant Pot directions provided

A side angle shot of a single BBQ shredded chicken sandwiches arranged atop a parchment lined baking sheet. The sandwich has been topped with coleslaw and served alongside pickle chips. A bottle of beer, a bottle of BBQ sauce, and a blue linen napkin are shown out of focus in the background.

This All-Purpose Shredded BBQ Chicken is an Instant Summer Classic!

Living in cold and snowy Minnesota, I ALWAYS appreciate the arrival of summer. There’s nothing better than that first feeling of warm sunshine, sliding on my trusty ol’ Birkenstocks, and, of course, shifting gears to summer cooking.

BBQ chicken is one of my all-time favorite summer staple recipes. Juicy, smoky, and totally delicious, it’s one of those classic and super simple crowd-pleasers. While we’ve already shared our Best-Ever Grilled BBQ Chicken recipe here on PWWB, this shredded BBQ chicken is another one of my absolute go-tos. All that to say, I’m so excited to share it with you just in time to enjoy all summer long!

This quick BBQ chicken dusts boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs – your pick! – with an easy dry spice rub before quickly searing and gently baking in a tangy BBQ sauce. The resulting BBQ chicken is super juicy, tender, and SO flavorful. Plus, it couldn’t be easier to make! Just shred it up and serve it an infinite number of ways from tacos to sandwiches to bowls. This is a recipe you’ll come back to over and over for everything from easy weeknight meals to summer gatherings, cabin weekends, game day eats, and more.

Shredded BBQ Chicken Recipe Highlights

This BBQ chicken recipe will be your new go-to because it is…

  • EASY TO MAKE. This quick and easy BBQ chicken recipe cooks in one pot in 30 minutes or less – and most of the prep time is totally hands-off! The perfect simple recipe for lazy summer days.
  • ALWAYS A HIT. It’s hard to resist juicy, smoky, and seriously flavorful BBQ chicken. Always a crowd-pleaser and great for all occasions – cabin weekends, summer cookouts, weeknight meal prep, game day, and more!
  • INFINITELY VERSATILE. Enjoy pulled BBQ chicken on sliders, tacos, pizza, or nachos at festive summer gatherings or chill weeknights at home. You’ll never run out of ways to use this recipe!

A total summer staple! ♡ Read on to learn more about how to make this Quick and Easy Shredded BBQ Chicken, or jump straight to the recipe and get cooking!

Key Ingredients for Simple BBQ Chicken

Shredded BBQ chicken ingredients arranged on a white and gray marble surface: boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, Plays Well With Butter dry rub, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke.

Note: Full ingredients list and measurements provided in the Recipe Card, below.

This shredded BBQ chicken recipe has 3 key components:

  • Chicken – I have a strong preference for chicken thighs because they’re the tastiest, most flavorful and juicy, but you can also use chicken breasts if you prefer. Check the Recipe Notes, below, for more guidance!
  • The PWWB BBQ Dry Rub – A blend of staple spices like chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, mustard powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika combined with a little bit of brown sugar creates the easiest and most delicious BBQ chicken dry rub. We use it ALL the time!
  • BBQ Sauce – While you can make your own BBQ sauce from scratch, store-bought is just fine here. There are so many amazing BBQ sauces available these days, and you can’t beat the convenience. Use your fave (these are my go-to!) and take it up a tangy-smoky notch with some apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and liquid smoke.
Ingredient Spotlight

The PWWB BBQ Dry Rub

This BBQ chicken dry rub is one of my favorite spice blends to make at home. I use for just about everything. (You may recognize it from our Must-Have BBQ Pork or our Best-Ever Grilled BBQ Chicken!) It’s made entirely with pantry staple ingredients, it comes together quickly, and it has the perfect balance of spice, smoke, and sweetness. An all-purpose dry rub you’ll turn to time and time again!

Making the BBQ chicken spice rub is as simple as mixing everything together in a bowl: spices like chili powder, smoked paprika, and cumin create rich smokiness, while garlic powder, onion powder, and mustard powder provide nice aromatic flavor and the littlest bit of brown sugar adds the perfect final kiss of sweetness.

BBQ Dry Rub Tip! ⇢ Be sure to prep a double or triple batch of this BBQ dry rub. It’s great on grilled or shredded BBQ chicken, of course, but it’s also awesome on steaks, ribs, pork, and burgers. Having this spice blend on hand makes it super easy to season lots of different BBQ-style meats (or veggies!).

How to Prepare Shredded BBQ Chicken (+ A Life-Changing Shredded Chicken Trick!)

This shredded BBQ chicken recipe is SO easy to prepare. There are 4 key steps involved: season it, brown it, roast it, and shred it. It all takes 30 minutes, tops!

Full Recipe Directions, including step-by-step photos, are included in the Recipe Card, below.

1

Season the chicken. Take the homemade BBQ dry rub and liberally season the chicken thighs or breasts. Do not be shy with seasoning here – this is the base of flavor in the BBQ shredded chicken! Seasoning Tip! ⇢ Sprinkle plenty of spice rub on one side of the chicken, then use your hands to work it into all the nooks and crannies of the meat. Flip and repeat with the other side.

2

Brown the chicken. Heat some oil in an oven-safe skillet on the stovetop. Add the seasoned BBQ chicken to the pan, cooking for just a few minutes until the chicken begins to brown. Why? ⇢ Searing chicken gives it a browned, crusty exterior that builds deep flavor thanks to a process called the Maillard reaction. It’s a simple step that makes a BIG difference!

3

Bake the chicken. Zhuzh up your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce with a little apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and liquid smoke. Pour the mixture over the browned chicken, coating it in sauce. This creates a smoky, tangy base for the chicken to simmer in. Transfer everything to the oven and bake until it’s cooked through. Why? The oven provides gentle, consistent heat, ensuring the chicken cooks through perfectly without drying out.

4

Shred the chicken. Shredding the BBQ chicken creates tons of versatility with very little extra effort. To make the shredded BBQ chicken, wait until the chicken is cool enough to handle and then use two forks or tongs to shred it into pieces.

*Quick and Easy Shredded Chicken Shortcut!

One of my all-time favorite kitchen hacks is using a trusty stand mixer to shred chicken. I swear this works! Place the BBQ chicken in the mixer with a paddle attachment and watch as the mixer does all the work, creating perfectly shredded chicken.

Alternate Cooking Methods

This one-pot seared-then-baked BBQ chicken is my favorite since it’s simple, fast and doesn’t require any forethought. If you’re looking for more of a “prep it and forget it” approach, you’re in luck! This particular recipe is easy to prepare in a slow cooker or Instant Pot. Check the Recipe Notes, below, for step-by-step guidance!

What to Eat With Shredded BBQ Chicken – The Options Are Endless!

While this shredded BBQ chicken is one of my favorite quick and easy weeknight meals, it’s also a staple recipe that I love to make for friends and family. It’s always a hit! You can make this shredded BBQ chicken recipe for festive summer gatherings, weekends at the lake, potluck dinner with the fam, casual backyard picnics, or pretty much whenever! A hungry summer crowd ALWAYS loves BBQ shredded chicken!

An overhead shot of two shredded BBQ chicken sandwiches arranged atop a parchment lined baking sheet. A small clear glass jar filled with pickles and loose classic potato chips rest alongside the sandwiches. The baking sheet sits atop a white and gray marble surface with a bottle of beer, the beer cap, a small white bowl filled with coleslaw, a bottle of BBQ sauce, a blue linen napkin, and a large white braiser filled with BBQ chicken surrounding the baking sheet at center.

A few ways to create the perfect meal using shredded BBQ chicken:

  • Shredded BBQ chicken sandwich or sliders – Pile the BBQ shredded chicken on a big potato bun or some mini slider buns for a classic summer picnic vibe. Be sure to add a pile of homemade slaw to the sandwich for a bit of crunchy freshness!
  • Easy BBQ chicken pizza – Homemade pizza night is one of our favorites! Add shredded BBQ chicken to grilled pizza with mozzarella, smoked gouda, or Monterey Jack cheese, and don’t forget an extra drizzle of BBQ sauce!
  • Shredded BBQ chicken tacos – If it fits in a taco shell, I will make it a taco! 😎 Top your BBQ chicken tacos with some black beans and grilled corn salsa to mix up Taco Tuesday. 
  • BBQ chicken mac ‘n cheese  – Two of my favorites in one! Mix the shredded BBQ chicken into your favorite store-bought or homemade mac ‘n cheese to add a bit of extra protein. Make it feel extra-fancy by adding breadcrumbs for a deliciously crispy texture.
  • Epic BBQ chicken nachos or quesadillas – Top a loaded platter of nachos with shredded BBQ chicken to take things over the top (and don’t forget the guac!). Or! Nestle the BBQ shredded chicken into an ooey-gooey quesadilla with an extra touch of sauce. 😋

BBQ Chicken Leftovers

This shredded BBQ chicken is super freezer-friendly! Since there’s an infinite number of ways to use it, I always like to freeze any leftovers for later. Having a supply of BBQ shredded chicken in the freezer is a handy thing to have on busy weeknights when you need to whip up something quick. Simply defrost and make any of the above meals in an instant! Check the Recipe Notes, below, for full freezer instructions.

An overhead and close up shot of two shredded BBQ chicken sandwiches arranged atop a parchment lined baking sheet. A small clear glass jar filled with pickles and loose classic potato chips rest alongside the sandwiches. The baking sheet sits atop a white and gray marble surface with an opened beer bottle and cap and a small bowl of coleslaw resting alongside the baking sheet.

I can’t wait for you to try this Quick and Easy Shredded BBQ Chicken! It’s so easy to make, so versatile, and always so satisfying – you’re going to be obsessed! 🙌🏼

If you do give it a try, be sure to let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo and tag @playswellwithbutter on Instagram. We LOVE seeing your PWWB creations! Happy cooking! ♡

Print
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A side angle shot of two BBQ shredded chicken sandwiches arranged atop a parchment lined baking sheet. The sandwiches have been topped with coleslaw and served alongside pickle chips. A small bowl filled with coleslaw rests alongside the baking sheet with a bottle of beer, a bottle of BBQ sauce, and a blue linen napkin shown out of focus in the background.

Quick and Easy Shredded BBQ Chicken

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review
  • Author: Jess Larson
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: serves 6
  • Category: Main Dishes, Chicken Recipes
  • Method: Stovetop, Baked
  • Cuisine: American

Description

There’s no summer meal more iconic than good ol’ BBQ chicken and this particular recipe is one you’ll come back to time and time again. It’s quick and easy to make and results in seriously juicy and flavorful shredded BBQ chicken that you can use to make just about anything!

It starts with my go-to homemade BBQ dry rub, one I’ve tweaked and tinkered with over the years until it has juuuust the right balance of spice, sweetness, and smokiness. (Go ahead and double or triple the dry rub – you’ll want to use it on everything!)

From there, simply dust boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs with the rub, give it a good sear on the stovetop, then let it simmer in the oven in a smoky and tangy BBQ sauce. This stovetop-to-oven method is my favorite since it’s really quick and doesn’t require much planning or forethought, but if you’re interested in making BBQ chicken in your slow cooker/Crockpot or Instant Pot, check the Recipe Notes, below, for full instructions. 

The awesome thing about this shredded BBQ chicken is you can use it to make just about anything – loaded sandwiches and sliders, BBQ chicken pizza, tacos, a light salad or grain bowl, and more! – and everyone raves about it. Be sure to check out the blog post, above, for lots of serving inspiration and the recipe notes, below, for some make-ahead tips. ♡ Happy cooking!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts (see Recipe Notes)
  • PWWB BBQ Dry Rub, below
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/3 cup BBQ sauce of choice
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon liquid smoke

for the PWWB BBQ Dry Rub:

  • 2 tablespoons lightly packed brown sugar
  • heaping 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • heaping 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • heaping 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • heaping 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
  • heaping 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • heaping 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • optional: pinch – 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt and ground black pepper as desired

Instructions

  1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Gather and prep all ingredients according to Ingredients List, above.Shredded BBQ chicken ingredients arranged on a white and gray marble surface: boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, Plays Well With Butter dry rub, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke.
  2. Mix the BBQ dry rub and season the chicken: Add all listed BBQ dry rub ingredients to a small bowl or jar. Whisk or shake to combine. Set aside for immediate use or store in an airtight container on your spice rack for up to 1 month. Season the chicken liberally with the BBQ dry rub, using your hands to really work the mixture into all the nooks and crannies of the chicken.How to make Shredded BBQ Chicken, step 2: Mix BBQ dry rub & season the chicken. 9 boneless, skinless chicken thighs seasoned in PWWB BBQ Dry Rub rest atop a white ceramic platter that sits atop a white and gray ceramic surface. A yellow ceramic bowl filled with residual dry rub with a spoon resting inside, a small white ceramic pinch bowl filled with ground black pepper, and a small wooden pinch bowl filled with kosher salt surround the platter at center.
  3. Brown the chicken: Add the oil to a medium oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot and shimmers in the pan, carefully add the bbq dry rubbed chicken to the skillet. Work in batches, as needed, to avoid overcrowding the pan (which prevents browning). Cook 2-3 minutes per side, until browned. The chicken will not yet be fully cooked – this is expected and totally fine.How to make Shredded BBQ Chicken, step 5: Roast the chicken. Roasted BBQ Dry Rub seasoned boneless, skinless chicken thighs rest inside of a white double-handled braiser. The braiser sits atop a white and gray marble surface surrounded by a small ceramic bowl filled with BBQ sauce, a small white ceramic pinch bowl filled with ground black pepper, a small wooden pinch bowl filled with kosher salt, and two gold colored oven mitts.
  4. Mix the BBQ sauce: Meanwhile, as the chicken browns, whisk together the bbq sauce mixture. Add the BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and liquid smoke to a small bowl or jar. Whisk or shake to combine. Set aside.How to make Shredded BBQ Chicken, step 4: Mix the BBQ sauce. A small blue ceramic bowl filled with BBQ sauce sits atop a white and gray marble surface. A spoon used to mix the BBQ sauce with a few added ingredients rest alongside the bowl smearing BBQ sauce on the surface, a small clear glass bowl, and a bottle of liquid smoke surround the ceramic mixing bowl at center.
  5. Roast the chicken: Once browned, remove the skillet from the heat. Pour the BBQ sauce mixture over the browned chicken, turning to coat in the sauce. Transfer to the oven and roast for 15-20 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest portion of the chicken registers an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Set aside to cool slightly.How to make Shredded BBQ Chicken, step 5: Roast the chicken. Roasted BBQ Dry Rub seasoned boneless, skinless chicken thighs rest inside of a white double-handled braiser with BBQ sauce poured over top. The braiser sits atop a white and gray marble surface surrounded by gold colored oven mitts and two gold forks.
  6. Shred the BBQ chicken: Once cool enough to handle, carefully shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces – you can do so using 2 forks, or my favorite trick: pop the BBQ chicken directly into in a stand mixer and let the paddle attachment do the work for you (I swear this works!). Transfer the pulled BBQ chicken back into the skillet, tossing to combine it with any cooking liquid left in the skillet.How to make Shredded BBQ Chicken, step 6: Shred the BBQ chicken. Shredded BBQ fills a white double-handled braiser that sits atop a white and gray marble surface. Two gold forks rest inside of the braiser used for shredding the chicken. Hamburger buns, a small bowl filled with coleslaw, and a blue colored linen napkin surround the braiser at center.
  7. Serve immediately as desired. Nestle in a bun with coleslaw for an epic BBQ chicken sandwich, pile on top of a pizza, place in tortillas or make a burrito bowl with rice and beans – sky’s the limit with this versatile shredded BBQ chicken! Enjoy!An overhead shot of two shredded BBQ chicken sandwiches arranged atop a parchment lined baking sheet. A small clear glass jar filled with pickles and loose classic potato chips rest alongside the sandwiches. The baking sheet sits atop a white and gray marble surface with a bottle of beer, the beer cap, a small white bowl filled with coleslaw, a bottle of BBQ sauce, a blue linen napkin, and a large white braiser filled with BBQ chicken surrounding the baking sheet at center.


Notes

  • Chicken thighs vs chicken breasts: I prefer using boneless, skinless chicken thighs in this pulled BBQ chicken recipe since they’re flavorful and stay really nice and juicy through roasting, but you can swap them out with breasts if you prefer. Either pound the breasts out flat or slice them in half lengthwise (butterflied) to ensure they cook up evenly.
  • Storage and Freezing:
    • Storage and Reheating: Leftover pulled bbq chicken will keep, stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through.
    • Freezer instructions: This pulled BBQ chicken is also a wonderful freezer staple since you can quickly thaw it out and use it on sandwiches, BBQ chicken pizza, tacos, nachos, salads, burrito bowls, etc. for an easy dinner down the road. To freeze, transfer cooled pulled BBQ chicken to a freezer bag or container, or divide between multiple freezer containers for smaller portions – these are my absolute favorite freezer containers! Freeze up to 3 months. Defrost by placing in the refrigerator overnight to thaw, or by submerging the freezer bag/container in room temp water for 20-25 minutes. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through. 
  • Alternate Cooking Methods:
    • Slow Cooker or Crockpot Pulled BBQ Chicken: If your slow cooker has a browning/searing feature, sear the chicken in the slow cooker according to Step 3 of Recipe Directions, above. If not, simply add the seasoned chicken, BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and liquid smoke to your slow cooker. Slow cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours. Shred and serve according to Steps 6-7 of Recipe Directions, above.
    • Electric Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot Pulled BBQ Chicken: Use the Instant Pot’s browning/searing feature to sear the chicken in the Instant Pot according to Step 3 of Recipe Directions, above. Prep the BBQ sauce mixture, diluting it with 1/2 cup water, chicken stock, or beer to ensure the Instant Pot seals properly, and pour over the chicken. Secure the lid on the Instant Pot, ensuring the sure valve is in its sealed position! Cook on high pressure for 12 minutes. Allow the pressure to naturally release for 5 minutes, then carefully quick release any remaining pressure in the pot by flicking the valve to its venting position. Remove the lid. Shred and serve according to Steps 6-7 of Recipe Directions, above.
  • Note: This recipe has been updated since its original publish in October 2017. If you are looking for the original recipe, which included bell peppers and a slow cooker preparation, click here to download a printable version!

Recipe by Jess Larson, Plays Well With Butter | Photography by KJ & Company, Kate Poskochil

A side angle shot of a single BBQ shredded chicken sandwiches arranged atop a parchment lined baking sheet. The sandwich has been topped with coleslaw and served alongside pickle chips. A bottle of beer, a bottle of BBQ sauce, and a blue linen napkin are shown out of focus in the background.

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Hi there, I'm Jess!

If there’s 1 thing to know about me, it’s this: I am head-over-heels in love with food. I’m on a mission to make weeknight cooking flavorful, fast, & fun for other foodies, & PWWB is where I share foolproof recipes that deliver major flavor with minimal effort. Other true loves: pretty shoes, puppies, Grey’s Anatomy, & my cozy kitchen in Minneapolis, MN.

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Comments

  1. 6.5.23
    Kristine said:

    This is hands down the best barbecue recipe ever. It’s amazing! I don’t usually leave reviews, it has to be something really special, and this qualifies. Well done! I’m about to try it on a pork shoulder, I’m so excited for dinner!!! Thank you for a great recipe. 😁






    • 6.5.23
      Emma @ Plays Well With Butter said:

      Hi Kristine, we so appreciate you leaving us a review!! Thank you, and we hope the pork shoulder turns out super delicious!! 🙂

  2. 10.10.17

    I thiiiink we might be swapping recipes this week. I’m totally making this soon & you can get cozy with that chowdahhh. This is perfect and I can never seem to get mine quite buffalo-ie enough, so I’m trying.

    • 10.11.17
      jess said:

      i am TOTALLY down with that girl!! ? i hope you give this bbq chicken recipe a try – i think you’ll really love it! xo