The Most Tender BBQ Pulled Chicken
This recipe is so good, you’ll always have it on you dinner or lunch menu. Let me show you how to make the most tender BBQ pulled chicken that’s comparable to your favorite restaurants!
Pulled chicken is not a dish I grew up eating. My mom always served my sister and I chicken nuggets when we were little and baked chicken once we got older. That was pretty much it. The first time I had it, was most likely at a restaurant or a neighborhood barbeque.
When my sister came to help me with my infant daughter while my husband was away traveling, I decided to give pulled chicken a shot. I had never made it before. Maybe it was the breastfeeding hormones encouraging me to feed my baby something different. Once I discovered how easy it was, I added it to the rotating lunch menu for my husband and I.
I hope you will do the same!
What makes a tender pulled chicken?
Dark meat is not so popular these days. That’s because people being more health conscious. However, it’s the juiciest and most tender part of the chicken! You can certainly substitute white meat for this recipe, but it just won’t hit the same. Here are some pros of eating dark meat compared to white meat:
- Tends to be cheaper – This will definitely help if you’re on a budget. You’ll get more meat per pound.
- Higher iron content – All meats contain a type of iron known as heme iron which is an important nutrient for keeping oxygen levels in your blood stable. Heme iron is more easily absorbed than iron from non-meat sources. Additionally, iron is considered “a nutrient of concern” on the public health space. This means public health professionals have noted that many Americans do no eat enough of this nutrient.
- Higher zinc content – Zinc boosts your immune system and heal wounds. When I worked in the burn unit as a dietetic technician, I always made sure that my patients were not deficient in zinc to assist with wound healing.
As you can tell, dark meat is not so much of a devil that we’ve made it out to be. The higher fat content is of course a valid concern, but as long as we are eating a varied diet, it’s ok to have dark meat once in a while.
The Recipe
Check out the recipe down below to see how you can achieve the most tender pulled chicken you’ve ever made!
The Most Tender BBQ Pulled Chicken
Equipment
- 1 Stand mixer optional
- 1 Pot
Ingredients
- 6 C Water
- 12 oz Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs
- 1/3 C BBQ Sauce of Choice I used Kinder's Hickory Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
- In a large pot bring water to a boil. 6 C Water
- Add in clean chicken thighs and boil for 25 minutes or until the thickest part of the meat reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit 12 oz Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs
- Drain water and allow chicken to cool.
- Using a stand mixer, or your hands, shred the chicken thoroughly.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper. 1/4 tsp Salt 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
- Coat with your favorite barbecue sauce. Serve with your preferred bread. Enjoy! 1/3 C BBQ Sauce of Choice
Leave a comment down below if you gave this recipe a try or learned something new!
DISCLAIMER: I am a medical professional, but I am not apart of your healthcare team. Always consult with your primary care physician or other medical professional of your healthcare team when making changes your your diet or lifestyle.
