Shredded BBQ Chicken Burgers. My go-to foolproof weeknight meal!
I know it’s not technically slow cooker season, but whatever. There are no rules anymore. These Shredded BBQ Chicken Burgers work for any time of the year in my book. And slow cooker recipes are one of the top requests here on WGC so I’m breaking it out today for this recipe!
These Shredded BBQ Chicken Burgers are looking pretty delicious from where I sit. I make this at least a few times a month! Mostly because it’s delicious, but also because Thomas always has something to have for lunch if this is in the fridge. It’s also easy to throw a spoonful of this on a brioche burger bun, slather on some guacamole and some shredded cheese and call it dinner. Or use the chicken portion of this recipe and slap it into a grilled cheese. Or stuff it into some enchiladas. You can’t go wrong. I speak from experience. You could have a beer alongside of it too, but I’d rather skip the beer and go for seconds on the shredded bbq chicken. Why drink my calories when I can eat them!
And if you can’t get your hands on all the ingredients to make the sauce from scratch, you can use 2-3 cups of your favorite BBQ sauce and you’ll still be a few hours away from an incredible meal.
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Shredded BBQ Chicken Burgers
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion finely sliced
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/3 cup cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons sweet paprika
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 8-10 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 6 hamburger buns
- 1 recipe Guacamole
- 1 cup shredded colby jack cheese
Instructions
- In your slow cooker, combine the onion, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, tomato paste, paprika, Worcestershire, salt and pepper. Whisk to combine.
- Add the chicken thighs and make sure they are all evenly spread out and coated with the sauce ingredients.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker and turn to high heat for the Shredded BBQ Chicken to be done in 4-5 hours, and low for Shredded BBQ Chicken to be done in 7-8 hours.
- Once the timer is up, remove the lid and using 2 forks, shred the chicken while still in the crock pot. Turn the crock pot to warm and serve the Shredded BBQ Chicken on top of burger buns with a heaping spoonful of guacamole and shredded colby jack cheese.
Made this tonight using the slow cook function on my instant pot! Had to just reduce the sauce some at the end but this was SO EASY and SO DELICIOUS!! Even my very picky 5 year old loved it. Will absolutely make this again and again.
So easy with so much flavor!
I made this last night and lets just say…YUM! Thank you so much for this haha my family loved it.
So… I didn’t have a whole bunch of the ingredients, but this was the bomb. I didn’t have ketchup (used canned tomatoes, extra vinegar, some brown sugar and some garlic and onion powder), and I used 2 chicken breasts and 4 thighs (these shredded better). I did 5 hours on the high slow cook function on the instant pot. I had to simmer the sauce a bit for it to thicken, but that’s on me for messing with the recipe. I didn’t have Avos, so went for slaw instead, and I didn’t have cheese. I hate reviews that don’t actually follow the recipe, but I’m confident this would only be better (and easier) as instructed. And if you don’t have some of the ingredients, it will still probably be delish.
I’ve been making BBQ chicken sandwiches for years using breasts – switching to thighs and Gaby’s sauce is a definite game changer. No need to try any other combination for the remainder of my days cuz this is THE best! Thanks, Gaby!!
i’ve made this before and it was delicious, as are all gaby’s recipes. i would like to make it for a halloween party (about 20 guests) can this recipe be doubled?
absolutely – no issue at all!
Hi there! Would time be the same to make with chicken breasts instead? Not a fan of chicken thighs! Also,
breasts would cook faster!
Could you do this in a Le Creuset and put in the oven? If so suggestions for timing? I saw this in your GH and G magazine and really want to make for the family. Thanks!!
Can you sub regular paprika for sweet? Can’t seem to find sweet anywhere in my local stores.
yes sweet is regular!!