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Apple BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches With Apple Slaw - Sweet, Tangy, and Easy

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • Chicken: 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (or a large rotisserie chicken)
  • BBQ sauce: 1 1/2 cups, your favorite brand or homemade
  • Apple juice or apple cider (non-alcoholic): 3/4 cup
  • Apple cider vinegar: 2 tablespoons (plus more for the slaw)
  • Brown sugar or honey: 1–2 tablespoons, to taste
  • Spices: Smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, kosher salt
  • Butter or oil: 1 tablespoon, for toasting buns
  • For the Apple Slaw:
  • 2 cups shredded green cabbage
  • 1 cup shredded red cabbage (optional, for color)
  • 1 large crisp apple (Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Fuji), matchsticked or shredded
  • 1/3 cup shredded carrot
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion (optional)
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • For Serving: 6–8 soft sandwich buns or brioche rolls, sliced
  • Pickles (optional)

Method
 

  1. Cook or prep the chicken: If using raw chicken, season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Poach in simmering water or chicken broth for 12–15 minutes until cooked through, then shred with two forks. If using rotisserie chicken, simply shred.
  2. Make the apple BBQ sauce: In a saucepan, stir together BBQ sauce, apple juice, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar or honey, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, and a pinch of onion powder. Simmer on low 5–8 minutes until slightly thickened and glossy.
  3. Combine chicken and sauce: Fold the shredded chicken into the warm sauce. Simmer 2–3 minutes so it absorbs flavor. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or a splash more vinegar for brightness.
  4. Mix the apple slaw: In a large bowl, whisk mayo, Dijon, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper. Add cabbages, apple, carrot, and red onion. Toss to coat. Taste and adjust with more vinegar or salt. Chill while you toast buns.
  5. Toast the buns: Lightly butter the cut sides and toast in a skillet over medium heat until golden. This helps the buns stand up to the saucy chicken.
  6. Assemble: Pile warm apple BBQ chicken onto buns. Top with a generous mound of apple slaw. Add pickles if you like. Serve right away.