Description
Tender, flavorful pulled chicken made in a Dutch oven—perfect for sandwiches, tacos, or just on its own. This easy recipe is packed with flavor and can be served in many delicious ways!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for juicier chicken)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar (optional, for sweetness)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste (optional, for a richer flavor)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken:
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Rub the chicken breasts or thighs with olive oil and season them with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and red pepper flakes (if using). - Sear the Chicken:
Heat your Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. You’re not trying to cook it through, just developing flavor. Remove the chicken and set it aside. - Deglaze the Dutch Oven:
Add chicken broth to the Dutch oven to deglaze, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon. Stir in the apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, honey or brown sugar (if using), and tomato paste. Let the mixture come to a simmer. - Cook the Chicken:
Return the chicken to the Dutch oven. Cover with a lid and reduce heat to low. Let the chicken cook for 35-40 minutes, or until it’s fully cooked and tender enough to shred. - Shred the Chicken:
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the Dutch oven and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot and stir it into the flavorful sauce. - Serve:
Serve the pulled chicken on buns for sandwiches, in tacos, or over rice. It’s also great in salads, wraps, or as a topping for baked potatoes!
Notes
- If you prefer a smokier flavor, you can add a little chipotle chili powder to the seasoning mix.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Comfort Food, Meal Prep
- Method: Dutch Oven Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of the recipe)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 55
- Cholesterol: 120mg