Savory Grilled Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
Enjoy a delightful family meal with these Savory Grilled Pulled Chicken Sandwiches, perfect for any occasion. This recipe elevates traditional pulled chicken by marinating tender chicken breasts in a flavorful blend of spices, grilled to perfection, and then tossed in a rich tangy sauce. The combination of dark brown sugar, chili powder, and a hint of chipotle offers a sweet and smoky taste that the whole family will love. Serve on toasted rolls alongside crunchy dill pickles for an extra kick. This healthy twist on a classic not only satisfies your taste buds but also ensures you'll have plenty of leftovers that will disappear before you know it!
N/A
Servings
312
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
dark brown sugar
4 tablespoons (divided)
paprika
1 teaspoon (ground)
chili powder
2 teaspoons (divided)
cumin
3/4 teaspoon (ground)
ground chipotle pepper
1/2 teaspoon (or to taste)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon (optional)
boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 lbs (trimmed)
cooking spray
as needed (for grilling)
canola oil
2 teaspoons (or olive oil)
onion
1/2 cup (finely chopped)
garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon (optional)
dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon (optional)
ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon (optional)
ground red pepper
1/8 teaspoon (optional)
ketchup
1 cup (regular or low sugar)
cider vinegar
2 tablespoons (to taste)
molasses
1 tablespoon (for sweetness)
Instructions
1
Prepare your grill by preheating it to medium-high heat and lightly coating it with cooking spray.
2
In a small bowl, mix together the dark brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, cumin, ground chipotle, salt, and ground ginger to create a spice rub.
3
To coat the chicken breasts evenly, place them in a zip lock bag with the spice mixture and let your kids shake it for a fun and engaging way to infuse flavor.
4
Grill the seasoned chicken breasts for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 180°F, turning occasionally for even cooking.
5
Once done, remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes before shredding it using two forks.
6
While the chicken rests, heat the canola (or olive) oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onions and cook until they become translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
7
Stir in the additional dark brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, dry mustard, allspice, and ground red pepper. Cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
8
Add the ketchup, cider vinegar, and molasses to the saucepan. Bring this mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and allow to simmer for about 10 minutes until thickened.
9
Finally, stir the shredded chicken into the sauce and cook for an additional 2 minutes, or until heated through. Mix well to thoroughly coat the chicken in the sauce.
10
Serve the pulled chicken on toasted rolls garnished with dill pickles for a delightful meal!
Nutrition Information
10g
Fat
35g
Carbs
20g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the recipe for Savory Grilled Pulled Chicken Sandwiches?
This recipe features tender chicken breasts marinated in a smoky spice rub, grilled, shredded, and tossed in a homemade tangy sauce made with ketchup, molasses, and cider vinegar.
What are the primary ingredients in the spice rub?
The spice rub consists of dark brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, cumin, ground chipotle, salt, and optional ground ginger.
What kind of chicken is recommended?
The recipe calls for 2 pounds of trimmed boneless skinless chicken breasts.
To what internal temperature should the chicken be grilled?
The chicken should be grilled until it reaches an internal temperature of 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long does it take to grill the chicken?
The chicken breasts take approximately 15 to 20 minutes to grill over medium-high heat.
What is a fun way to involve kids in this recipe?
Kids can help by shaking the chicken in a zip lock bag with the spice mixture to ensure an even coating.
How long should the chicken rest after grilling?
Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before shredding it with two forks.
What type of oil is used for the sauce?
You can use either canola oil or olive oil to sauté the onions.
How long should the onions be cooked?
The finely chopped onions should be cooked for about 3 to 4 minutes until they are translucent.
What are the liquid components of the tangy sauce?
The sauce liquid includes ketchup, cider vinegar, and molasses.
How long should the sauce simmer?
The sauce should simmer for about 10 minutes until it has thickened.
What is the best way to serve the pulled chicken?
Serve the chicken on toasted rolls garnished with crunchy dill pickles.
How many calories are in one serving of this chicken?
Each serving contains 312 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
The recipe contains 10g of fat per serving.
How much protein is in these chicken sandwiches?
Each serving provides 20g of protein.
What is the carbohydrate count per serving?
There are 35g of carbohydrates per serving.
Can I use low sugar ketchup?
Yes, the recipe allows for either regular or low sugar ketchup.
What provides the smoky flavor in this dish?
The smoky flavor comes from the ground chipotle pepper and the grilling process.
Is the ground ginger required?
No, the ground ginger is an optional ingredient in the spice rub.
How many ingredients are in this recipe total?
There are 18 ingredients listed for this recipe.
What optional spices can be added to the sauce?
Optional spices for the sauce include garlic powder, dry mustard, ground allspice, and ground red pepper.
What type of sugar is used for the sweetness?
The recipe uses dark brown sugar, divided between the rub and the sauce.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is described as a healthy twist on a classic pulled chicken sandwich.
What temperature should the grill be?
The grill should be preheated to medium-high heat.
How long should the spices cook in the saucepan before adding liquids?
Cook the spices with the onions for about 30 seconds until they become fragrant.
How do you incorporate the chicken into the sauce?
Once shredded, stir the chicken into the sauce and cook for 2 minutes until thoroughly coated and heated through.
What makes the sauce tangy?
The combination of ketchup and cider vinegar provides the tangy flavor profile.
What is the purpose of the molasses?
Molasses is used to add a rich sweetness and depth to the sauce.
Can I substitute the chili powder?
While the recipe calls specifically for chili powder, you can adjust the amount to your taste preference.
Is this recipe suitable for a family meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a family meal and designed to satisfy both kids and adults.