BBQ Pulled Chicken Recipe

Pulled Chicken Sandwiches tossed with a glorious barbecue sauce made with root beer and molasses are sure to delight friends and family this summer! Chicken thighs are generously seasoned with a simple 4 ingredient rub recipe, grilled, and then tossed with an easy from-scratch barbecue sauce that will have you licking your fingers in delight!

📝 Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• ½ large yellow onion (diced)
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (optional)
• ½ cup root beer
• 1 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 8 rolls or buns
• coleslaw (optional)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1--- Pulled Chicken ---
2. 2Preheat grill.: Heat grill to 400°F.
3. 3Prepare rub.: Combine the ingredients for the rub in a small bowl and set aside.
4. 4Season chicken.: Drizzle chicken with olive oil and generously season both sides with the rub. Chill until ready to grill or make immediately.
5. 5Cook chicken.: Place chicken on the prepared grill and grill over direct heat until cooked through, flipping once or twice. Keep the lid closed while grilling. Juices should run clear when done.
6. 6Shred chicken.: Let chicken cool for a few minutes and then shred the chicken.
7. 7--- Root Beer BBQ Sauce ---
8. 8Sauté onion.: Meanwhile, or even before cooking the chicken, prepare the barbecue sauce. Heat olive oil in a 3 quart saucepan over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and translucent.
9. 9Add seasonings.: Stir in chili powder, garlic powder and cayenne pepper.
10. 10Add remaining ingredients.: Pour in root beer and stir to combine.Stir in ketchup, lemon juice and molasses.
11. 11Simmer sauce.: Bring sauce to a boil over medium-high heat and then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes or until sauce has thickened.
12. 12Combine sauce and chicken.: Add the pulled chicken to the barbecue sauce and stir to combine.
13. 13Assemble sandwiches.: Top toasted buns with chicken mixture and coleslaw if you like.