Best 4 Carolina Pulled Chicken Recipes

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Carolina Pulled Chicken is a delectable dish that captures the essence of Southern comfort food. Originating from the Carolinas, this dish is a symphony of flavors, combining the smokiness of barbecue sauce, the tanginess of vinegar, and the subtle sweetness of brown sugar. The chicken, usually a whole chicken or chicken breasts, is slow-cooked until fall-off-the-bone tender, infusing it with a rich, savory flavor. The pulled chicken is then coated in a luscious sauce made from a blend of ketchup, mustard, vinegar, brown sugar, and spices, creating a tantalizing glaze that enhances the chicken's natural flavors. Served on a soft bun or atop a bed of rice, Carolina Pulled Chicken is a culinary delight that will satisfy even the most discerning palate.

This article offers a comprehensive guide to making Carolina Pulled Chicken, featuring three enticing recipes that cater to various tastes and skill levels. The first recipe, Classic Carolina Pulled Chicken, provides a straightforward approach to this Southern classic, using a combination of simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps. For those seeking a more robust flavor profile, the Spicy Carolina Pulled Chicken recipe incorporates a blend of chili powder, cayenne pepper, and paprika, adding a delightful kick to the dish. Finally, the article presents a unique twist on this beloved recipe with the Asian Carolina Pulled Chicken, which infuses the traditional flavors of Carolina Pulled Chicken with the aromatic notes of soy sauce, ginger, and garlic.

Each recipe includes detailed instructions, ensuring that home cooks of all levels can achieve tender, flavorful pulled chicken. Whether you prefer a classic, spicy, or Asian-inspired taste, this article has a recipe that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

CAROLINA-STYLE VINEGAR BBQ CHICKEN



Carolina-Style Vinegar BBQ Chicken image

I live in Georgia, but I appreciate the tangy, sweet taste of Carolina barbecue chicken. In fact, my sons are more likely to show up to dinner if they know I'm serving this slow cooker recipe. -Ramona Parris, Canton, Georgia

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 4h10m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 cups water
1 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon reduced-sodium chicken base
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
6 whole wheat hamburger buns, split, optional

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, mix the first 6 ingredients. Place chicken in a 3-qt. slow cooker; add vinegar mixture. Cook, covered, on low 4-5 hours or until chicken is tender., Remove chicken; cool slightly. Reserve 1 cup cooking juices; discard remaining juices. Shred chicken with 2 forks. Return meat and reserved cooking juices to slow cooker; heat through. If desired, serve chicken mixture on buns.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 134 calories, Fat 3g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 63mg cholesterol, Sodium 228mg sodium, Carbohydrate 3g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

CAROLINA-STYLE BARBECUE CHICKEN



Carolina-Style Barbecue Chicken image

The hallmark of Carolina BBQ is a tangy sauce with a vinegar base and just a little spice, but no tomato product. While Carolina BBQ usually features pork, this recipe shows that the flavors work just as well on chicken. A little melted butter in the sauce helps balance the sharpness of the vinegar and mustard, and adds just enough thickness to cling to the meat.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1/2 cup yellow mustard
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons mustard powder
2 teaspoons hot sauce
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
8 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs (2 to 2 1/4 pounds)
Vegetable oil, for brushing
1 large tomato, sliced
Prepared macaroni salad, for serving (optional)

Steps:

  • Preheat a grill to medium. Whisk the yellow mustard, vinegar, brown sugar, mustard powder, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste in a bowl. Whisk in the butter.
  • Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then toss with about one-third of the mustard sauce in a large bowl until coated. Let sit at room temperature, 10 minutes.
  • Brush the grill grates generously with vegetable oil. Put about 1/4 cup of the remaining mustard sauce in a small bowl for basting and reserve the rest for topping. Grill the chicken, covered, basting occasionally with the sauce, until well marked and a thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 170 degrees F, 10 to 12 minutes per side.
  • Serve the chicken with the reserved mustard sauce, sliced tomato and macaroni salad, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 425, Fat 25 grams, SaturatedFat 9 grams, Cholesterol 127 milligrams, Sodium 866 milligrams, Carbohydrate 16 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 31 grams

CAROLINA PULLED CHICKEN SLIDERS WITH EASY SUMMERTIME PICKLES



Carolina Pulled Chicken Sliders With Easy Summertime Pickles image

A vinegar and mustard Carolina-style barbecue sauce moistens shredded grilled chicken for sliders. Serve with Easy Summertime Pickles for piquant crunch.

Provided by McCormick Kitchens

Categories     Chicken Breast

Time 40m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

3/4 cup ketchup
3/4 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup coarsely chopped sweet onion, such as Vidalia
1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 (1 ounce) package Grill Mates® Carolina Country Marinade
1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
12 slider sandwich buns

Steps:

  • Mix ketchup, vinegar, onion, sugar and Marinade Mix in medium saucepan until well blended. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer 10 minutes or until onion is tender. Set aside. Brush chicken lightly with oil.
  • Grill chicken over medium heat 6 to 8 minutes per side or until cooked through, turning occasionally.
  • Shred chicken using 2 forks. Add to saucepan; toss to coat well. Spoon shredded chicken mixture on rolls. Serve with Easy Summertime Pickles, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 238.2, Fat 4.5, SaturatedFat 0.9, Cholesterol 36.3, Sodium 441.6, Carbohydrate 31.8, Fiber 1.1, Sugar 12.4, Protein 16.5

PULLED BBQ CHICKEN SLIDERS



Pulled BBQ Chicken Sliders image

Sink your teeth into these Carolina-style Pulled BBQ Chicken Sliders with creamy coleslaw on a delicious sweet roll bun.

Provided by Reynolds Kitchens(R)

Categories     Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips     Reynolds®

Time 3h25m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon salt and pepper
½ cup water
1 ½ cups vinegar-based Carolina-style BBQ sauce
1 (14 ounce) package coleslaw mix
¼ cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
16 mini sweet rolls
Reynolds Wrap® Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil
Reynolds® Slow Cooker Liner

Steps:

  • Preheat the grill to high heat.
  • Line a hot grill with Reynolds Wrap® Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil.
  • Coat the chicken breasts with the oil and season on all sides with salt and pepper.
  • Place the chicken breasts directly on the hot grill lined with foil and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until grill marks have formed.
  • Transfer the chicken in a slow cooker lined with a Reynolds® Slow Cooker Liner and pour in water and BBQ sauce and cook on high heat for 3 hours or low heat for 5 hours.
  • Pull the chicken apart using two forks until it is shredded and keep warm.
  • Mix together the coleslaw mix, mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar and salt and pepper until combined.
  • Serve the pulled chicken on sweet rolls and top off with some creamy coleslaw.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 396 calories, Carbohydrate 340.2 g, Cholesterol 37 mg, Fat 12.8 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 16.1 g, SaturatedFat 1.6 g, Sodium 745.7 mg, Sugar 12.8 g

Tips and Conclusion

Tips:

  • Choose the best chicken breasts you can find. Look for ones that are plump and juicy, with no signs of bruising or discoloration.
  • Use a slow cooker that is large enough to hold the chicken breasts and the cooking liquid. A 6-quart slow cooker is a good size.
  • Don't crowd the chicken breasts in the slow cooker. They should be able to sit in a single layer on the bottom of the pot.
  • Add plenty of liquid to the slow cooker. The chicken should be submerged in liquid at all times.
  • Cook the chicken on low for 8-10 hours, or on high for 4-6 hours. The chicken is done when it is cooked through and shreds easily.
  • Use two forks to shred the chicken. This is the easiest way to get it into small, bite-sized pieces.
  • Serve the pulled chicken on buns, tortillas, or rice. Top with your favorite toppings, such as barbecue sauce, coleslaw, or pickles.

Conclusion:

Carolina pulled chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is a versatile dish that can be served on buns, tortillas, or rice, and can be topped with a variety of different ingredients. Whether you are having a casual get-together or a special event, Carolina pulled chicken is sure to be a hit.

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