Easy Cheat Stovetop Pulled Chicken BBQ

I developed this recipe for my youngest son, Cameron, who does not enjoy cooking much. I made it a choose your own adventure style recipe where you can take the simplest approach and still get a pretty decent outcome or you can take a little extra time and effort and make something with a bit more oomph to it. This recipe can be used as a base for a ton of shredded chicken dishes. At it's heart it is just a braised chicken recipe that focuses on ending up with pulled/shredded chicken. From there you could go many different directions with it.

Good

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

Place all chicken in a large pot on the stove top. Pour in your chicken stock or water. The chicken should be just covered and no more. If a little bit of chicken is peeking out of the liquid that is ok. If not all pieces are at least partially submerged add water until it is so.

Step 2

Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to a simmer.

Step 3

Simmer until desired tenderness is achieved. Rotate the bottom pieces of chicken to the top a few times during the cook in order to get an even cook on the chicken. Every 15 minutes or 20 minutes should do it.

Step 4

Once desired tenderness is achieved pull the chicken out to a heat proof bowl.

Step 5

Decision time...

Step 6

If you want to use the cooking liquid to flavor your chicken proceed to step 6 If not proceed to step 7 Place pot with cooking liquid back over high heat. The goal is to reduce the cooking liquid to a thick sauce/gravy consistency. This will take upwards of an hour. Stir occasionally and keep an eye on it the more it reduces. The thicker it gets the easier it will be to accidentally burn it. Reserve sauce once desired thickness achieved.

Step 7

Decision time...

Step 8

If you are using boneless skinless thighs proceed to step 9 If not proceed to step 8 Once cool enough to handle, separate meat from skin and bones.

Step 9

Shred the chicken. This can be accomplished by hand, with two forks pulled apart from each other or with a potato masher (in bowl or original pot). Whichever method you use, place meat in the original cooking pot once complete. Stir through sauce if you reduced the cooking liquid.

Step 10

Decision time...

Step 11

If you don't want BBQ chicken proceed to step 11 If you want BBQ chicken proceed to step 12 Check seasoning levels of chicken and adjust salt and spices as necessary. Use your shredded chicken in any dish you like. Chicken salad, salads with shredded chicken, soups, pot pies, etc.

Step 12

Add a small amount of your favorite BBQ sauce to the chicken in the pot. Bring to a simmer. Stir to incorporate BBQ sauce. Add more as necessary until desired consistency is achieved. Don't add too much at once because it is impossible to remove BBQ but easy to add.

Step 13

Served BBQ chicken on a toasted bun with the condiments of your choice. Slaw, extra sauce, pickles, onions, whatever makes your mouth happy. Enjoy!

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