Smoked Pulled Chicken Sandwiches (Printable Version)

Smoky pulled chicken tossed in tangy Alabama-style white BBQ sauce, served on toasted buns with optional coleslaw.

# Ingredient List:

→ For the Chicken

01 - 2 lbs (900 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 tbsp BBQ dry rub (paprika, brown sugar, salt, pepper, garlic powder, cayenne)
04 - 1 cup chicken broth or apple juice (for smoking moisture)

→ For the White BBQ Sauce

05 - 1 cup mayonnaise
06 - 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
07 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
08 - 1 tbsp prepared horseradish
09 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
10 - 1 tsp sugar
11 - 1 tsp black pepper
12 - 1/2 tsp salt
13 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
14 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

→ For Serving

15 - 6 sandwich buns
16 - 1 cup coleslaw (optional, for crunch)

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Preheat your smoker to 250°F (120°C).
02 - Pat chicken dry, drizzle with olive oil, and coat evenly with BBQ dry rub.
03 - Place chicken on smoker grate. Add chicken broth or apple juice to a pan inside the smoker to keep the meat moist.
04 - Smoke chicken for 2 hours, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and meat is easy to pull apart.
05 - Remove chicken, rest for 10 minutes, then shred using two forks.
06 - Meanwhile, combine all white BBQ sauce ingredients in a bowl and whisk until smooth.
07 - Toss pulled chicken with some of the white BBQ sauce (reserve extra for serving).
08 - Toast buns if desired.
09 - Pile smoked pulled chicken on the bottom half of each bun. Top with coleslaw (optional), drizzle with more white BBQ sauce, and cap with bun tops.
10 - Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The combination of juicy smoked chicken and creamy, zippy sauce feels like a well-kept Southern secret I can’t wait to share.
  • It’s impressively easy for how show-stopping the results are, and leftovers work even better the next day.
02 -
  • One time I rushed the smoking and ended up with dry chicken—now I always check the pan and use a thermometer.
  • Mixing the sauce just before serving keeps it from breaking or getting runny.
03 -
  • Sticking with thighs makes juicer sandwiches and is more forgiving during long smoking sessions.
  • Resting the smoked chicken before pulling locks in the juices and keeps the end result perfectly tender.
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