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Bowl of pulled chicken stovetop in barbecue sauce, garnished with parsley, on a neutral background.

pulled chicken stovetop

This pulled chicken stovetop recipe yields tender chicken infused with rich homemade barbecue sauce, making it the perfect quick pulled chicken meal. Serve it in sandwiches, over rice, or in tacos, and enjoy a delicious, versatile dish anyone can make.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 289 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut in half widthwise
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Make the barbecue sauce: In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot with a lid, whisk together ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper until well combined.
  • Prep the chicken: Add the chicken thighs to the pot, tossing them in the sauce until fully coated. Set the pot over medium heat and bring the sauce to a simmer.
  • Cook the chicken: Reduce the heat to medium-low and partially cover the pot with the lid, leaving a small gap for steam to escape. Let the chicken cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to keep the sauce from sticking.
  • Shred the chicken: Check for doneness by squeezing a piece with tongs—it should easily fall apart. If not, cook for 5 more minutes. Once tender, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the pot or transfer it to a cutting board to shred.
  • Thicken the sauce: Turn the heat to high and cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and coats the shredded chicken, about 5-10 minutes. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve: Enjoy your pulled chicken in sandwiches, on sliders, or over your favorite base like rice or salad. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Notes

If you have a store-bought barbecue sauce that you love, you can use 3/4 cup of it here instead of the homemade one; that would turn this into a 2-ingredient recipe! If you’re finding the sauce is too thick or starting to stick to the pot, add some water or apple cider vinegar to loosen it up.