This tender saucy Trader Joes Pulled Chicken Recipe is made with chicken breasts and sweet BBQ sauce and ready in 4 hours and 10 minutes. The meat shreds effortlessly into a rich, sweet, and tangy pool of warm sauce. I love how little hands-on effort this meal requires on busy weekdays.
Why This Classic Works
I used to overcomplicate pulled chicken by making homemade sauce from scratch. Switching to a high-quality bottled BBQ sauce saves hours of simmering without sacrificing flavor.
I discovered that mixing a little broth with the sauce prevents the chicken from drying out. This method guarantees perfectly shreddable meat every single time.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joes Pulled Chicken Recipe Ingredients
- 2 lbs Trader Joe’s boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 bottle (18 oz) Trader Joe’s Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp Trader Joe’s Onion Salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
How To Make Trader Joes Pulled Chicken Recipe
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the chicken breasts for 2 minutes per side.
- Mix the Sauce: In a slow cooker, whisk together the BBQ sauce, chicken broth, and onion salt until smooth.
- Slow Cook: Transfer the browned chicken to the slow cooker, cover, and cook on low for 4 hours until very tender.
- Shred the Meat: Remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, and return it to the slow cooker to coat evenly in the warm sauce.
Recipe Tips
- Check internal temperature: Chicken is easiest to shred when it reaches at least 195°F internally.
- Avoid high heat: Cooking on low prevents the chicken breasts from becoming tough and stringy.
- Rest before shredding: Let the cooked chicken sit on a cutting board for five minutes so juices redistribute.
What To Serve With Pulled Chicken
This pairs beautifully with creamy coleslaw and buttered brioche buns for a classic sandwich. You can also serve it over macaroni and cheese or alongside a fresh green salad.
How To Store
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. You can also freeze the cooled pulled chicken in a zip-top bag for up to three months.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead?
Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully and yield an even juicier result. You can swap them in using the exact same cooking time and method.
Can I make this in the oven?
You can bake the chicken and sauce covered in a Dutch oven at 300°F for about two hours. Check the tenderness with a fork before shredding.
Does this recipe work with other BBQ sauces?
Absolutely, Trader Joe’s Carolina Gold is a great tangy alternative to traditional sweet BBQ. Feel free to use whichever flavor profile you prefer.
Nutrition
- Calories: 285 kcal
- Total Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 22 g
- Protein: 34 g
Try More Recipes:
- Trader Joes Chicken Shawarma Bowl Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Soyaki Chicken Crockpot Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Chicken Soup Dumplings Recipe
Trader Joes Pulled Chicken Recipe
6
servings10
minutes6
hours40
minutes6
hours50
minutesTender saucy Trader Joes Pulled Chicken Recipe made with boneless chicken breasts, rich BBQ sauce, and savory onion salt. Ready in 4 hours and 10 minutes, providing an incredibly easy hands-off meal perfect for busy weeknight dinners and casual gatherings.
Ingredients
2 lbs Trader Joe’s boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 bottle (18 oz) Trader Joe’s Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 tbsp Trader Joe’s Onion Salt
1 tbsp olive oil
Directions
- 1. Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the chicken breasts for 2 minutes per side.
- 2. Mix the Sauce: In a slow cooker, whisk together the BBQ sauce, chicken broth, and onion salt until smooth.
- 3. Slow Cook: Transfer the browned chicken to the slow cooker, cover, and cook on low for 4 hours until very tender.
- 4. Shred the Meat: Remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, and return it to the slow cooker to coat evenly in the warm sauce.
