This pulled chicken recipe only has 5 ingredients but it’s packed with flavor. Chicken, onion, garlic, brown sugar, and a bottle of your favorite BBQ is all you need for this easy stove-top chicken dish. Serve this delicious pulled chicken on a bun with slaw or plated with your favorite sides. The sky is the limit!

overhead shot of shredded bbq pulled chicken in a white dutch oven

Ingredients For Pulled Chicken

Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs
BBQ Sauce
Onion
Garlic
Brown Sugar
Oil

How To Make Pulled Chicken On The Stove-Top

In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until soft, approximately 3-5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook an additional minute.
Add the the BBQ sauce and brown sugar to the pot. Stir well to combine all the ingredients. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Add the chicken.
Cover with a lid and cook on low heat for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Remove the chicken from the pot and shred. Place the chicken back into the pot. Mix until well combined with the sauce.

What Type Of Chicken To Use

For best results, I suggest you use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. That is what you see here in the pictures. Chicken thighs are more flavorful because they have a higher fat content. Having said that, chicken breasts work well too.

What Type Of BBQ Sauce To Use

When it comes to the choice of BBQ, I suggest you choose wisely. The sauce you use will definitely influence the flavor of the pulled chicken. Use a store-bought sauce or make your own! Sweet, smokey, tangy…the sky is the limit.

bbq pulled chicken topped with slaw on a bun

FAQs & Tips

Depending on how sweet your BBQ sauce is, you may not need the brown sugar.
I do not suggest using frozen chicken. Make sure your chicken is fully thawed before cooking.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze your leftovers for up to 3 months.
Make this ahead of time! Pulled chicken is a recipe that’s even better the next day. If you prepare the chicken in advance, reheat it on the stove-top before serving.
Serve this stove-top pulled chicken on a bun with coleslaw, as a salad topper, with pasta, or plated with your favorite sides.

Side Dishes

Print Pin

5 from 2 votes

Pulled Chicken (Stove-Top)

This pulled chicken recipe only has 5 ingredients but it's packed with flavor. Chicken, onion, garlic, brown sugar, and a bottle of your favorite BBQ is all you need for this easy stove-top chicken dish. Serve this delicious pulled chicken on a bun with slaw or plated with your favorite sides. The sky is the limit!

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 45

Total Time 55

Servings servings

Calories 323kcal

Author Shannon Epstein

Ingredients

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs seasoned with salt and pepper
1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce
1/3 cup onion diced
2 cloves garlic minced
2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional)
1 tablespoon oil of your choice

Instructions

In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until soft, approximately 3-5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook an additional minute.
Add the the BBQ sauce and brown sugar to the pot. Stir well to combine all the ingredients. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Add the chicken.
Cover with a lid and cook on low heat for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Remove the chicken from the pot and shred. Place the chicken back into the pot. Mix until well combined with the sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 323kcal