Carolina-Style Pulled Chicken with Vinegar BBQ Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-11 · Updated 2026-06-11

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Shredded pulled chicken tossed in a bright and tangy vinegar-based BBQ sauce that adds soul to every bite. This American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 370 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, apple cider vinegar, apple juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 360 min Serves 6 American cuisine 350 cal/serving

Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup apple juice
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp yellow mustard
1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
1 tsp garlic powder

The grilling tools we’d reach for here → Best Grilling Tools and BBQ Gadgets for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.

Crock-Pot 6 Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker with Digital Timer Stainless Steel (CPSCVC60LL-S) pack of 1
Buy on Amazon →

More Small appliances → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

Step 1: In a slow cooker, combine 1 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup apple juice, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 2 tbsp yellow mustard, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, and 1 tsp garlic powder. Stir well to mix.
Step 2: Add 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs to the slow cooker and turn to coat with the vinegar sauce.
Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is very tender and easily shredded with forks.
Step 4: Remove chicken thighs and shred finely with two forks. Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to coat with the vinegar BBQ sauce.
Step 5: Serve pulled chicken on soft buns or over rice with extra sauce spooned over top for a tangy Carolina-style BBQ experience.