Savory Smoky Bourbon BBQ Pulled Chicken Sliders
These sliders feature tender, juicy pulled chicken infused with a smoky bourbon BBQ sauce, perfect for parties or quick weeknight meals. The recipe balances sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors for a crowd-pleasing bite.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes to 6 hours (depending on method)
- Total Time: 1 hour (Instant Pot) to 6 hours (slow cooker)
- Yield: 12 sliders 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1/3 cup bourbon
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- About 12 slider buns (King’s Hawaiian buns recommended)
- Optional toppings: coleslaw, pickles, extra BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Pat dry chicken and season with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder (optional), salt, and pepper. Rub spices evenly. (5 minutes)
- In a mixing bowl, combine BBQ sauce, bourbon, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar. Whisk until sugar dissolves and mixture is smooth. (3 minutes)
- Place seasoned chicken in slow cooker or Instant Pot. Pour bourbon BBQ sauce over chicken. For slow cooker: cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours until tender. For Instant Pot: cook on high pressure for 15 minutes, then natural release for 10 minutes.
- Shred chicken using two forks or shredding claws directly in cooker or in a bowl. Mix well with remaining sauce. If sauce is too thin, simmer in skillet to thicken before mixing. (5-7 minutes)
- Lightly toast slider buns in skillet or oven for 2-3 minutes until warm and slightly crispy.
- Assemble sliders by piling shredded chicken onto buns and adding optional toppings like coleslaw or pickles. Serve immediately.
Notes
Use chicken thighs for juiciness; breasts can be used but may be drier. Toast buns lightly to prevent sogginess. Sauce can be thickened by simmering if too thin. Pulled chicken tastes better the next day. Substitute bourbon with apple juice or whiskey extract if desired. For gluten-free, use gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 200250
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 18
Keywords: pulled chicken, bourbon BBQ, sliders, party food, smoky BBQ, easy recipe, slow cooker, Instant Pot