Spicy BBQ Pulled Chicken Burger

Get ready to spice up your chicken game with our mouthwatering Spicy BBQ Pulled Chicken Burger recipe! Tender pulled chicken is cooked in a fiery barbecue sauce, piled high on a fluffy bun, and topped with crunchy coleslaw. This flavor-packed burger will satisfy your cravings for heat and bold flavors.

about this spicy bbq pulled chicken burger

Ahem, may I introduce to you the Spicy BBQ Pulled Chicken Burger: a tantalizing twist on the classic pulled chicken sandwich that will take your taste buds on a fiery journey. Each bite is an explosion of heat, perfectly balanced with tanginess and sweetness.

The secret to this flavor-packed creation lies in how it is cooked – either in the Instant Pot or the slow cooker! The chicken is cooked until it becomes fork-tender, allowing it to soak up all the spicy goodness of the barbecue sauce.

The softness of the brioche bun provides a delightful contrast to the texture of the chicken, creating a harmonious balance. The cool and crisp crunch of cabbage adds a refreshing element to counter the spiciness in the sandwich.

This recipe is a showstopper at any barbecue or gathering. It’s easy to double and serve to a crowd! Plus, you could even serve the chicken and coleslaw up on slider buns to make a fiery appetizer. Whether it’s a summery backyard gathering or you are tailgating at home, these pulled chicken sandwiches are simply irresistible.

what is pulled chicken?

Pulled chicken (also known as shredded chicken) is chicken that has been cooked, then shredded or pulled apart. It was originally called pulled chicken because the chicken is removed or pulled from the bone after being cooked.

The chicken could be cooked in the Instant Pot, slow cooker, slow roasted in the oven, or grilled. Regardless of how it is cooked, the shredding in the end is the main point to pulled chicken!

ingredients

chicken. For this recipe, I like to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. You could also use boneless, skinless chicken breasts if you prefer. I recommend using chicken thighs as they tender to be juicier than chicken breasts.

BBQ sauce. Use your favorite BBQ sauce! You can use a plain BBQ sauce or a flavor if you prefer. If you want to use a spicy BBQ sauce, you can definitely do that as well. You may want to skip adding additional hot sauce though, if it is already spicy.

vinegar. I recommend using apple cider vinegar, both for the chicken and the coleslaw dressing.

hot sauce. Frank’s Red Hot Sauce is my go-to with BBQ recipes! You can also simply use your favorite hot sauce.

spices. You will need a combination of smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper for this recipe.

coleslaw mix. I grab a 1 lb bag of coleslaw mix, but you could also use a combination of shredded napa and red cabbages if you prefer. I recommend adding in some shredded carrots too for texture!

yogurt. I use plain Greek yogurt for the dressing because I really like the tangy flavor it brings to the party.

lemon juice. Fresh lemon juice is always best! You can also use store-bought if you need to in a pinch.

honey. I use honey, but you can also use agave or maple syrup if you prefer.

buns. Fluffy brioche buns are my go-to for any pulled meat sandwiches! Of course you can also use whatever burger buns you love. You can also use slider buns and turn these sandwiches into sliders!

this recipe’s must haves

To make the chicken for these pulled chicken burgers, you will need an Instant Pot (like the Instant Pot Ultra or Instant Pot Duo) or slow cooker.

You will need a whisk for the dressing for the coleslaw and the largest bowl from your set of mixing bowls to stir together the coleslaw. I like to use tongs to coat the coleslaw, but you could also use a spatula or wooden spoon.

here’s how to make a spicy bbq pulled chicken burger

cook chicken

You can make this recipe in either the Instant Pot or the slow cooker! Here we will outline the Instant Pot instructions, but you can find the slow cooker instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Add bbq sauce, apple cider vinegar, hot sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Whisk to combine and add chicken.

Cook for 10 minutes on High pressure. Let pressure naturally release for 5 minutes before manually releasing the remaining pressure.

shred chicken

Remove chicken to a cutting board. Shred with two forks.

You could also add the cooked chicken to a large bowl and use a mixer to shred the chicken faster.

Return shredded chicken to the sauce. Cook on Sauté until the sauce is thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

make coleslaw

Whisk together yogurt, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, honey, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper until combined. Add the dressing to a large bowl with coleslaw mix and stir to combine until the slaw is coated. Set aside.

assemble sandwiches

Top the bottom halves of the brioche buns with pulled chicken. Top with coleslaw and the top halves of the buns. Serve.

tips for success

pull chicken asap. When the chicken is done cooking, be sure to pull or shred it as soon as you can. When it is warm, it is much easier to pull apart!

don’t make the coleslaw too early. To keep everything crunchy, prep the coleslaw just before you are ready to serve.

toast your buns. Toasting the buns helps them stand up to the juicy chicken and creamy coleslaw. It also gives you a little extra crunch, which I always love with the fluffy brioche buns!

More tasty chicken recipes to try: Roasted Chicken | Gochujang Noodles | Instant Pot Chipotle Chicken Tacos | Korean Chicken Rice Bowls

are shredded chicken and pulled chicken the same?

Basically, yes. Shredded chicken and pulled chicken are the same thing. The process for both involves cooking chicken, then pulled it apart into pieces or shredding it.

what’s the easiest way to shred chicken?

I personally prefer to shred chicken with two forks because it gives the best results, in my opinion. If you don’t want to take the time to shred the chicken by hands, you could also use a stand or hand mixer using the paddle attachment. This will get you a finer shred on the chicken, so it just depends on what you would like in terms of texture.

can you overcook pulled chicken?

Yes, chicken can be overcooked in the Instant Pot. Be sure to follow my guidelines in the recipe for how long to cook the chicken under pressure, as well as how long to let it naturally release pressure. This will give you the juiciest result!

can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs?

Yes, boneless, skinless chicken breast will work instead of chicken thighs. Just use the same amount of meat in terms of weight for the recipe. I recommend cutting the breasts in half to ensure it cooks through in the time noted in the recipe.

Need more inspiration for dinner this week? Check out my main dish recipe page!

what to serve with a bbq chicken burgers

The beautiful thing about this delicious recipe is that you can serve it with SO many different sides! From simple potatoes chips to fries to whatever your favorite BBQ side dishes for chicken may be.

Here are some of our personal favorites to pair with the recipe:

Smoky blackened corn is a simple recipe that has the ideal smoky flavor to counter the spicy chicken.

Pasta salad is always a winner! Summer lemon pasta salad or sun dried tomato pasta salad are our favorites on the blog.

A crunchy broccoli salad is an absolute staple, especially for pairing with the savory BBQ flavors in this sandwich.

Loaded bacon potato skewers are essentially a loaded baked potato, made backyard BBQ friendly!

Deliciously savory smoked baked beans hit all the right sweet, spicy, and smoky notes.

Fruity watermelon feta salad is refreshing and bright!

Rutabaga fries are a fun twist on a classic plate of fries.

If you want to pair these fiery sandwiches with a libation, I recommend something cool and refreshing like the following:

• A lemon agave margarita is a bright and citrusy take on the margarita.
• Who doesn’t love lemonade on a hot day? Make it boozy with this homemade vodka lemonade!
• Get nostalgic with a vodka cherry limeade.
• A refreshing and cooling london mule is the ultimate refreshment anytime of year!

Of course, no meal is complete without a sweet treat at the end! Here’s some of our favorites to follow a heavier BBQ meal:

• To wow a crowd, bust out this triple berry cheesecake. Creamy, light, and easy to make ahead of time!
• For the fruit lovers out there, a peach blueberry galette is an easy rustic dessert that always satisfies.
• If you need something super easy to make, these no bake cookie dough bites are the simplest recipe!

how to store

Store. Any leftover pulled chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure to cool the meat before storing it in a container. I recommend storing the meat separately from the buns and the coleslaw.

The coleslaw can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.

Reheat. Reheat the chicken in either the Instant Pot on the Keep Warm setting until warmed through, or in a pot on the stovetop over medium-low heat. I like to add a little extra BBQ sauce in to make sure the mixture doesn’t dry out.

Freeze. Cool the chicken completely before storing in an freezer safe bag or container. The chicken will last for up to 3 months.

Thaw. Thaw from frozen overnight in the refrigerator before reheating as instructed above.

more savory sandwiches

Pulled Pork Burger

French Onion Burger

Instant Pot Philly Cheesesteak

Finally, if you make this spicy bbq pulled chicken burger recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a rating or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment. Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!

Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!