Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches with Slaw

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-24 · Updated 2026-06-24

Tender pulled chicken simmered in a smoky, tangy barbecue sauce, served on toasted buns with crunchy slaw for a crowd-pleasing meal. This American-inspired sandwich and wrap recipe, ready in about 375 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, smoked paprika, garlic powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 8, 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.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups barbecue sauce
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 8 hamburger buns
• 2 cups shredded green cabbage
• 1 cup shredded carrot
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

The slow cooker we’d leave this in all day → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Rub this spice mix evenly over 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs.
2. Step 2: Place the seasoned chicken in a slow cooker and pour 1 1/2 cups barbecue sauce and 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar over the top. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours until chicken is very tender and shreds easily.
3. Step 3: In a medium bowl, mix 2 cups shredded green cabbage, 1 cup shredded carrot, 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp honey, and 1 tbsp lemon juice until well combined to make a crunchy slaw.
4. Step 4: Once the chicken is cooked, shred it inside the slow cooker with two forks and stir to coat with the sauce.
5. Step 5: Toast 8 hamburger buns lightly in a skillet over medium heat until golden and warm.
6. Step 6: Assemble sandwiches by piling pulled chicken onto the bottom halves of the buns, topping with a generous scoop of slaw, then placing the bun tops on.
7. Step 7: Serve immediately with extra barbecue sauce on the side for dipping.