Heart-Healthy Pulled BBQ Chicken

Get ready to savor the smoky, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors of Heart-Healthy Pulled BBQ Chicken, a slow-cooked masterpiece designed with your health in mind. This wholesome twist on a barbecue classic uses lean boneless, skinless chicken breasts, simmered to perfection in a homemade low-sodium BBQ sauce made with tomato sauce, balsamic vinegar, honey, and a kick of smoked paprika. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, yielding irresistibly tender, shredded chicken that's packed with flavor and easy to pull apart. Serve it on hearty whole wheat buns for a satisfying, fiber-rich meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. With a balance of bold taste and healthy ingredients, this dish is proof you don’t have to sacrifice your heart health for a crave-worthy barbecue experience! Perfect keywords: heart-healthy pulled BBQ chicken, slow cooker BBQ recipe, low-sodium chicken recipe, healthy barbecue ideas, easy meal prep dinners.

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:240 mins

Total Time:255 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1.5 pounds Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 cup Low-sodium tomato sauce
• 3 tablespoons Balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Honey
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Mustard powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon Red pepper flakes
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 6 Whole wheat buns

Directions

Step 1

Begin by trimming any excess fat from the chicken breasts to keep the meal lean and heart-healthy.

Step 2

In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic to the onions and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.

Step 4

In a slow cooker, combine the cooked onions and garlic, tomato sauce, balsamic vinegar, honey, smoked paprika, mustard powder, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and salt.

Step 5

Place the trimmed chicken breasts into the slow cooker, making sure they are fully submerged in the sauce.

Step 6

Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set it to cook on low for 4 hours. This slow, gentle cooking process will ensure the chicken becomes tender enough to easily pull apart.

Step 7

After 4 hours, check the chicken for tenderness. It should easily pull apart with a fork. Use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker, mixing it thoroughly with the sauce.

Step 8

Once fully shredded, let the pulled chicken sit on low heat for an additional 15 minutes to allow it to fully absorb the flavors of the homemade BBQ sauce.

Step 9

Serve the pulled BBQ chicken on whole wheat buns and enjoy this heart-healthy and delicious meal. Optional garnishes include sliced onions or a simple cabbage slaw, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1602.5 grams (1602.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2484

Total Fat 66.80g	86%
Saturated Fat 14.30g	72%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 578mg	193%
Sodium 2946mg	128%
Total Carbohydrate 221.00g	80%
Dietary Fiber 33.80g	121%
Total Sugars 84.80g
Protein 250.50g	501%

Vitamin D 7IU	34%
Calcium 443mg	34%
Iron 20mg	109%
Potassium 3444mg	73%

*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: 24.2%

Protein: 40.3%

Carbs: 35.5%