Delicious Pioneer Woman Shredded Chicken Recipe

Pioneer Woman’s shredded chicken sandwiches represent comfort food at its finest, offering a delectable twist on classic sandwich traditions.

Home cooks love these messy, flavorful meals that bring families together around the dinner table.

Tender, juicy meat transforms into a mouthwatering filling that bridges rustic home cooking with modern culinary techniques.

Layers of crisp cabbage and creamy condiments elevate this simple dish into something truly memorable.

Balanced seasonings and carefully selected ingredients create a symphony of textures and tastes that dance across your palate.

What You’ll Need for These Chicken Sandwiches

• Chicken Pieces: Tender protein choice for the main dish, preferably bone-in for richer flavor and more moisture.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance the chicken's natural taste.

• Barbecue Sauce: Provides sweet and tangy flavor profile for the chicken.
• Canola Oil: Helps in searing and preventing chicken from sticking to the pot.
• Sliced Onion: Adds depth and sweetness to the sauce base.
• Garlic Cloves: Brings aromatic and robust flavor to the dish.

• Green Cabbage, Red Cabbage: Crunchy base for the coleslaw, offering texture and color contrast.
• Milk: Creates creamy base for the coleslaw dressing.
• Mayonnaise: Adds richness and smooth consistency to the slaw.
• White Vinegar: Provides tanginess and balances the dressing.
• Sugar: Balances the acidity and adds subtle sweetness.
• Cayenne Pepper: Introduces a mild heat to the slaw.
• Kaiser Rolls: Sturdy bread for holding the shredded chicken and slaw.
• Butter: Used for toasting the rolls, adding golden color and rich flavor.

How to Make Shredded Chicken Sandwiches Easily

Step 1: Craft the Creamy Coleslaw

• Milk
• Mayonnaise
• Vinegar
• Sugar
• Salt
• Pinch of cayenne pepper

Pour the dressing over cabbage and mix thoroughly. Chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours to let flavors mingle.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

Season chicken pieces with salt and black pepper. Heat canola oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Sear chicken until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside.

Step 3: Saute Aromatic Base

• 1 sliced onion
• 3 garlic cloves

Cook for 2 minutes until onions turn translucent and fragrant.

Step 4: Build the Flavor Foundation

Return seared chicken to the pot. Pour barbecue sauce over chicken, stirring to coat evenly.

Step 5: Slow Roast to Perfection

Cover pot and transfer to a preheated 300°F oven. Roast for 1.5 hours until chicken becomes incredibly tender.

Step 6: Shred and Break Down Chicken

Remove pot from oven. Let chicken cool slightly. Using two forks, shred meat, discarding bones.

Step 7: Blend Sauce and Meat

Skim excess fat from remaining sauce. Return shredded chicken to pot, stirring to combine. Warm over low heat to marry flavors.

Step 8: Create Mouthwatering Sandwiches

• Shredded barbecue chicken
• Prepared coleslaw
• Roasted garlic cloves

Tips That Keep Your Chicken Juicy and Flavorful

• Boost Chicken Richness: Simmer the chicken in chicken broth instead of water to infuse deeper, more complex flavors throughout the meat.
• Elevate Slaw Texture: Slice cabbage extra thin using a mandoline for a delicate, restaurant-quality coleslaw that melts in your mouth.
• Customize Bun Magic: Butter and lightly toast buns on a skillet to create a crispy, golden exterior that holds up better against juicy chicken.
• Enhance Sauce Depth: Caramelize diced onions before blending into barbecue sauce for a richer, more nuanced sweet-tangy profile.
• Maximize Garlic Impact: Grate fresh garlic instead of mincing to distribute its intense flavor more evenly across the shredded chicken.

Storage Tips for Busy Days and Leftovers

• Vacuum Seal Method: Lock in flavor and moisture by using a vacuum sealer for maximum freshness. Remove all air pockets to prevent freezer burn and extend storage life up to three months.
• Mason Jar Layering Method: Create strategic sandwich component separation using clean mason jars. Place shredded chicken at the bottom, then add slaw and sauces in distinct layers to maintain crisp textures. Seal tightly and store in refrigerator for optimal two-day preservation.
• Portion Control Method: Divide leftover chicken into individual serving sizes using small airtight containers. Label each container with the date and contents to track freshness. This approach prevents unnecessary reheating and helps maintain the original taste and texture of the sandwich ingredients.

Fun Ways to Mix Up This Sandwich Favorite

• Spicy Southwest Chicken Sandwich: Replace barbecue sauce with chipotle salsa, add diced green chiles to the slaw, and sprinkle fresh cilantro on top for a zesty Mexican-inspired version.
• Honey Mustard Ranch Chicken Sandwich: Swap barbecue sauce with a mixture of honey mustard and ranch dressing, incorporate chopped dill pickles into the slaw for extra crunch and tangy flavor.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken Sandwich: Use oregano and lemon-infused olive oil instead of barbecue sauce, mix feta cheese into the slaw, and add sliced kalamata olives for a Greek-style sandwich experience.

Final Notes on Chicken Sandwich Goodness

Culinary magic emerges from simple ingredients in these Pioneer Woman shredded chicken sandwiches.

Homemade slaw and tender, saucy chicken create sandwich perfection with remarkable depth of flavor.

Southern comfort meets gourmet technique in this irresistible recipe.

Kansas-style barbecue influences shine through each delectable bite.

Balanced textures and bold seasonings elevate this classic sandwich to new heights.

Passionate home cooks and sandwich enthusiasts, your next meal awaits – scroll down, share this mouthwatering creation with friends, and drop a comment celebrating this flavor-packed dish.

Why Shredded Chicken Sandwiches Always Work

• Savor Slow-Cooked Tenderness: This recipe transforms ordinary chicken into melt-in-your-mouth goodness through a patient 1.5-hour oven-braising method that guarantees incredibly soft, pull-apart meat packed with deep, rich barbecue flavors.
• Texture Symphony: Each bite delivers a delightful contrast between the juicy, saucy shredded chicken and the crisp, tangy coleslaw, creating a perfect balance of creamy and crunchy textures that dance on your palate.
• Quick-to-Prepare Gourmet Meal: Despite its restaurant-quality taste, this sandwich comes together with surprisingly simple steps and minimal hands-on time, making it an ideal option for busy home cooks craving a delicious, satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

Pioneer Woman Shredded Chicken Sandwiches Recipe

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4.6 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Pioneer Woman Shredded Chicken Sandwiches offer a mouthwatering blend of tender, juicy chicken and zesty seasonings. Homemade comfort arrives between pillowy buns, inviting hungry diners to savor each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces

Salt and black pepper, to taste

Sauce and Seasoning:

• 1 large bottle of barbecue sauce
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) canola oil
• 1 tablespoon (15 grams) sugar
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) white vinegar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Vegetables and Extras:

• 1 onion, sliced
• 8 cloves of garlic (more if desired), peeled
• ½ head of green cabbage, thinly sliced
• ½ head of purple cabbage, thinly sliced
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) whole milk
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) mayonnaise
• 1 bunch of cilantro, roughly chopped

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Instructions

1. In a spacious mixing vessel, amalgamate red and green cabbage varieties, creating a vibrant foundation for the coleslaw. Craft a creamy dressing by meticulously blending whole milk (236 milliliters/8 fluid ounces), rich mayonnaise, tangy white vinegar, granulated sugar, kosher salt, and a whisper of cayenne pepper. Thoroughly incorporate the dressing with the cabbage, ensuring complete coverage. Seal and refrigerate for a minimum of two hours to allow flavors to meld and intensify.
2. Meticulously season chicken pieces with freshly ground black pepper and kosher salt. Heat canola oil in a substantial cooking vessel over medium-high temperature. Sear chicken segments until achieving a golden-brown exterior, approximately 5 minutes per side, creating a flavorful caramelized crust.
3. Reduce cooking temperature to medium. Utilize the same pot to sauté thinly sliced onions and minced garlic cloves until onions become translucent and aromatic, approximately 2 minutes.
4. Carefully reintroduce seared chicken pieces into the pot. Generously coat the chicken with barbecue sauce, ensuring each piece is evenly and thoroughly covered.
5. Prepare the oven to 300°F (150°C). Cover the pot and transfer to the preheated oven. Allow the chicken to slow-cook for 1.5 hours, transforming the meat into tender, easily shredded perfection.
6. Extract the pot from the oven. Carefully remove chicken pieces and allow them to cool sufficiently for handling. Utilizing two forks, methodically shred the meat, discarding any bone fragments.
7. Skim excess fat from the remaining sauce in the pot. Reintegrate the shredded chicken, stirring to combine thoroughly. Gently warm over low heat to harmonize flavors and ensure optimal temperature.
8. Prepare Kaiser rolls by lightly buttering and toasting until achieving a golden-brown hue. Construct sandwiches by layering generous portions of succulent shredded chicken on roll bottoms. Crown with a refreshing coleslaw layer and roasted garlic cloves. Complete the sandwich with the top roll half and serve immediately for maximum gustatory enjoyment.

Notes

• Maximize flavor by selecting high-quality bone-in chicken that guarantees tender, succulent meat for shredding.
• Store leftover slaw in an airtight container for up to three days, providing quick and easy lunch options throughout the week.
• Transform standard weeknight dinners into exciting culinary experiences with this versatile sandwich recipe.
• Create a smoky, complex taste profile by using a bold barbecue sauce that enhances the chicken’s rich flavor.
• Prepare components in advance to streamline meal assembly and reduce day-of cooking stress.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 621 kcal
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 757 mg
• Fat: 42 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 29 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 33 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 114 mg