Pulled Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches {Recipe}

This family favorite recipe uses bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts, which are full of flavor and moisture. When combined with homemade barbecue sauce, the tender shredded chicken takes on a sweet smokiness that’s far better than anything you could find in a bottle at the grocery store.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 Nonstick cooking spray
• 3 pounds pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken breast halves
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup low-sodium tomato puree
• 1 cup no-salt-added ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon Splenda Brown Sugar Blend
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon dry mustard
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 cup water
• 12 (1 ounce) slider burger buns

DIRECTIONS

• To make the chicken, preheat the oven to 375˚F. Line a baking pan with aluminum foil and coat with nonstick spray.
• Arrange the chicken breasts side by side in the prepared baking pan and drizzle the olive oil all over the top; season with pepper. Bake the chicken until barely pink in the center, about 40 minutes.
• To make the sauce, put a pot over medium heat and coat with the oil. When the oil is hot, add the onion and garlic.
• Cook, stirring, until soft and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste until fully incorporated. Stir in the vinegar, loosening up any brown bits on the bottom of the pan.
• Add the tomato puree, ketchup, Worcestershire, sugar blend, paprika, mustard, chili powder, and water. Bring the barbecue sauce to a simmer, stirring, and then reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for 20 minutes, until the sauce is slightly thickened.
• Allow the cooked chicken to cool slightly, then peel off and discard the skin. Using 2 forks, shred the meat and discard the bone.
• Add the shredded chicken to the sauce and stir to incorporate. Simmer for another 5 minutes, until the chicken has soaked up the sauce and is heated through. Divide the chicken among the buns and serve.

Recipe and image courtesy of Recipe Rehab.