Heart-Healthy Pulled Barbecue Chicken

Savor the smoky, tangy, and guilt-free flavors of Heart-Healthy Pulled Barbecue Chicken, a slow-cooked masterpiece that’s as nutritious as it is delicious. This recipe swaps traditional barbecue staples for heart-smart alternatives like lean boneless chicken breasts, low-sodium chicken broth, and a low-sugar barbecue sauce made with honey, Dijon mustard, and spices like smoked paprika and garlic powder. The result? A tender, juicy pulled chicken dish bursting with bold flavor without compromising your health goals. Perfect for meal prep or family dinners, this dish pairs wonderfully with whole-grain buns or crisp lettuce wraps, offering a balanced, wholesome meal that’s ideal for maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle. Easy to prepare, rich in protein, and irresistibly satisfying—this recipe is a must-try!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:240 mins

Total Time:255 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 pounds Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 1 cup Low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup Low-sugar ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons Honey
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Chili powder

Directions

Step 1

1. Begin by patting the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.

Step 2

2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side until they are golden brown. This step is to add flavor.

Step 3

3. Transfer the seared chicken breasts to a slow cooker.

Step 4

4. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, low-sugar ketchup, Dijon mustard, honey, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and chili powder. Stir until the ingredients are well combined to form the barbecue sauce.

Step 5

5. Pour the barbecue sauce over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker.

Step 6

6. Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low heat for 4 hours, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender, allowing easy shredding.

Step 7

7. Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker and place them on a cutting board. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

Step 8

8. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and mix it with the sauce until well coated.

Step 9

9. Allow the shredded chicken to absorb flavors in the sauce for an additional 10-15 minutes in the slow cooker on the low setting.

Step 10

10. Serve the heart-healthy pulled barbecue chicken on whole-grain buns or lettuce wraps with a side of vegetables for a complete meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1481.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1989.6

Total Fat 50.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 11.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 771.1mg	0%
Sodium 4212.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 74.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 2.4g	0%
Total Sugars 51.6g
Protein 284.8g	0%

Vitamin D 9.1IU	0%
Calcium 129.9mg	0%
Iron 9.8mg	0%
Potassium 2496.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 24.1%

Protein: 60.2%

Carbs: 15.7%