Brown Sugar BBQ Chicken Sandwiches Recipe
This Brown Sugar BBQ Chicken recipe features tender boneless chicken breasts slow-cooked in a flavorful mixture of barbecue sauce, brown sugar, bourbon, Italian dressing, and spices. The slow-cooked chicken is shredded and served on potato buns with coleslaw, making for a classic and delicious BBQ sandwich perfect for any casual meal or gathering.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours (high) or 6 hours (low)
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes (high) or 6 hours 10 minutes (low)
- Yield: 6 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Lunch/Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup barbecue sauce, plus more for serving
- 1/2 cup packed light or brown sugar
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- 1/4 cup Italian dressing
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
To Serve
- 6 potato buns
- Coleslaw, for serving
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a slow-cooker, place the boneless skinless chicken breasts. Add the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, bourbon, Italian dressing, garlic powder, and paprika. Season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Toss all ingredients together until the chicken is well coated in the sauce mixture.
- Cook the Chicken: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on high heat for 4 hours or on low heat for 6 hours. This slow cooking will tenderize the chicken fully and allow the flavors to meld deeply.
- Shred the Chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken breasts and shred them using two forks directly in the slow cooker or on a plate. Return the shredded chicken to the sauce and mix well to ensure every bite is flavorful.
- Serve the Sandwiches: Toast the potato buns if desired. Pile the shredded BBQ chicken onto each bun, add a drizzle of extra barbecue sauce and a spoonful of coleslaw on top to balance the sweetness and tang of the chicken. Serve immediately for best taste.
Notes
- If you prefer a stronger bourbon flavor, you can increase the bourbon to 1/3 cup.
- For a spicier BBQ chicken, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some hot sauce to the sauce mixture before cooking.
- Coleslaw adds a nice crunch and contrast to the sweet and smoky chicken—feel free to use your favorite coleslaw recipe or a store-bought version.
- Leftover shredded chicken can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- To reduce sugar, you can substitute brown sugar with a natural sweetener like maple syrup, but this will alter the flavor profile slightly.
Keywords: BBQ chicken, slow cooker chicken, pulled chicken sandwiches, brown sugar BBQ chicken, bourbon BBQ chicken, easy BBQ recipe
