Easy Pulled BBQ Chicken Sandwich

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Sandwiches are a great dinner option when you need to feed a crowd. These are so simple and easy when you start with shredded barbecue chicken cooked in a slow cooker or crockpot. Top with a sweet and creamy coleslaw and extra sauce, and dinner is done!

closeup of a bbq chicken sandwich with coleslaw

This recipe is one that we have on a frequent rotation in our house. It's so easy to make the shredded or pulled chicken in a slow cooker, crock pot or Instant Pot. Check out my recipe for Slow Cooker Pulled BBQ Chicken.

You can use premade cole slaw from a deli or your favorite restaurant, but I love to make my own. My favorite for this sandwich is my Cole Slaw with Pineapple. The creaminess and hint of sweetness is perfect with the tangy barbecue sauce!

There is nothing better than this sandwich with warm pulled bbq chicken topped with the cold cole slaw. It screams summer cookout time!

Ingredients needed to make this recipe

Only three ingredients are needed to put together this sandwich, although you will need to prepare the individual items.

shredded or pulled bbq chicken - make the night before in your slow cooker or crock pot
Cole slaw - also good to prep ahead or the day before, just keep the dressing separate from the vegetables.
sandwich or hamburger buns - smaller slider buns can be used if you want to serve this as an appetizer
butter (if you want to toast the buns)- margarine will work also
extra barbecue sauce, if desired - try this BBQ sauce recipe if you're feeling extra ambitious. Barbecue sauce is one of those things that can be tweaked and customized to your taste. Be adventurous! Add mustard, sugar, flavored vinegars, molasses, cayenne....anything you think sounds good!

How to make easy pulled bbq chicken sandwiches

As I mentioned earlier, this really isn't so much of a recipe, as it is combining ingredients from two other recipes to get the best, easiest, most flavorful sandwich ever.

The first step, which really is optional depending on your preference, is to toast the buns. I like my buns to be warm with a little bit of a crunch. If you like them soft, skip this step. Brush the buns with butter and lay flat, buttered side up, and toast in a 350°F oven until slightly brown and toasty.
Top the bun with the warm, shredded bbq chicken, extra barbecue sauce (if you like) and a generous topping of delicious cold cole slaw.

What sides can I serve with this?

Try out any of the below great options:

Buttered Sweet Corn - easier to eat than corn on the cob, and just as tasty!
Loaded Baked Cauliflower Mash - a great way to get your veggies in, and your kids may not even notice!
Easy Roasted Green Beans - one of the easiest and quickest ways to cook fresh veggies.
Meal Prep Fruit Salad - great on a hot summer day!
Lemony Raw Kale Salad - also great on a hot summer day, and bright, fresh and loaded with vitamins!
Zesty Italian Pasta Salad - makes a lot and great for potlucks!
A side of crunchy, sliced hamburger dill pickles

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these sandwiches ahead of time?

Yes, these are perfect to make ahead of time, which is preferred when you need to feed a lot of people. Make the pulled chicken a day or two in advance, and reheat when you want to prepare the sandwiches. You can also make the cole slaw in advance up to two days (I wouldn't go more than that), but keep the dressing separate from the slaw mix. Mix a few hours before you want to make the sandwiches.

Can I make these sandwiches without a slow cooker or without a crock pot?

Yes, you can cook the chicken breast at a low temperature (250°F) in the oven in a pan covered with aluminum foil. Make sure the chicken stays moist from the barbecue sauce, and you can add a little bit of water if needed if it starts to look dry. The steam and moisture is what keeps the chicken from drying out. Make sure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F to ensure that it is cooked thoroughly and properly.

Can I use rotisserie chicken?

Yes! This would be an even faster way to get this dinner on the table. Just mix warmed rotisserie chicken with barbecue sauce and use in place of the shredded chicken.

What other types of protein can I use?

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs, pork butt or pork roast would all substitute well.

What's the difference between shredded chicken and pulled chicken?

Nothing! It's like to-may-to to-mah-to! "Pulled" is the process of pulling apart the chicken, which shredded is synonymous to.

📋 Recipe