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Flavorful Carolina Gold BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

Carolina Gold BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches - featured image
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A quick and easy summer recipe featuring tender pulled chicken in a tangy, mustard-forward Carolina Gold BBQ sauce, perfect for sandwiches and cookouts.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
  • 1 cup Carolina Gold BBQ sauce (see recipe below)
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth or water
  • 1 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • For the Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce:
  • 1/2 cup yellow mustard (preferably Gulden’s)
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • Salt to taste
  • For Serving:
  • Soft sandwich buns or brioche rolls
  • Optional toppings: sliced pickles, coleslaw, or thinly sliced red onions

Instructions

  1. Make the Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, honey, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  2. Season the Chicken: Pat chicken thighs dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.
  3. Brown the Chicken (optional): Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown chicken pieces about 2 minutes per side until golden but not cooked through.
  4. Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Place browned chicken in slow cooker, pour BBQ sauce over it, add chicken broth, and stir gently to coat.
  5. Cook the Chicken: Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours until tender and easily shredded. Alternatively, cook in Instant Pot on high pressure for 15 minutes with natural release.
  6. Shred the Chicken: Remove chicken, shred with two forks, return to sauce and stir. If sauce is too thin, cook uncovered on high for 10-15 minutes to thicken.
  7. Prepare Sandwiches: Toast buns lightly, pile pulled chicken onto each bun, add optional toppings, and serve warm.

Notes

Browning the chicken before slow cooking adds depth of flavor but can be skipped. Adjust cayenne pepper for desired spice level. Leftover sauce can be refrigerated for up to a week. For gluten-free, use gluten-free rolls or lettuce wraps. Avoid overcooking chicken to prevent dryness.

Nutrition

Keywords: Carolina Gold BBQ, pulled chicken, BBQ sauce, summer recipe, sandwich, slow cooker, Instant Pot, easy dinner

Find it online: https://lenatable.com/flavorful-carolina-gold-bbq-pulled-chicken-sandwiches-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-summer/