Pulled Chicken Recipe: Easy Oven-Baked Shredded Chicken 2026

Pulled chicken, also called shredded chicken, is a favorite American preparation in which chicken breasts are baked in a barbecue-style marinade and then pulled apart into tender strands. The result is juicy, smoky-sweet meat that works just about anywhere you want to put it.

This version keeps things wonderfully simple. A quick blend of ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and warm spices becomes a flavorful marinade that coats the chicken as it roasts, so every shred soaks up that tangy sauce.

Serve the finished pulled chicken piled into sandwiches, tucked into tacos, scattered over a salad, or used as a filling for empanadas and puff pastry. With only 5 minutes of hands-on prep and 50 minutes in the oven, it is an easy win for busy weeknights.

Ingredients for Pulled Chicken

This makes 8 servings (about 650 g of pulled chicken).

• 500 g chicken breasts
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 pinch ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon cayenne powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• 200 ml ketchup
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

How to Make Pulled Chicken Step by Step

1. Make cuts in the chicken

Preheat the oven to 175 °C (350 °F). Arrange the 500 g of chicken breasts on a baking tray and make a few shallow cuts in each one so the marinade can penetrate the meat.

2. Prepare the marinade

In a bowl, mix ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 pinch ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon cayenne powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, 200 ml ketchup, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce until fully combined.

3. Coat the chicken with the marinade

Pour the marinade over the chicken and rub it in well, turning the breasts so they are evenly coated on all sides.

4. Bake for 50 minutes

Bake the chicken at 175 °C for 50 minutes with both top and bottom heat, until the breasts are thoroughly cooked. To check doneness, cut into a breast with a knife and confirm the inside is cooked through.

5. Shred the chicken and serve

Remove the chicken from the oven and, while still hot, shred it completely using two forks, mixing it with the cooking liquid left in the tray. It is then ready to serve as a sandwich filling, in tacos or over a salad.

Tips for the Best Pulled Chicken

Shred it while it is hot

Pull the chicken apart as soon as it comes out of the oven, while it is still hot, and toss it with the cooking juices. The warm meat absorbs the liquid far better, keeping every strand moist and flavorful.

Speed up the shredding

If you want to save time, use an electric hand mixer on low speed, carefully, instead of two forks. In about 3 minutes the chicken will be fully shredded and ready to eat.

Check for doneness

Ovens vary, so always confirm the chicken is cooked through by cutting into the thickest part of a breast. The meat should be opaque all the way to the center before you shred it.

30 Top Recipes I Enjoy Cooking at Home

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a balanced lineup ready to go: simple comfort dishes, well-known international plates, and desserts that make everyone happy.

On nights when I want something rich and indulgent, my picks tend to be this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this elegant Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and soothing sounds good, this classic French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I keep coming back to.

For quick breakfasts and lighter plates, these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe are a regular in my rotation, along with a satisfying Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe and these fresh Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, this simple Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I like to prepare.

When tapas and Mediterranean flavors are calling, I move between this bold Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, creamy Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and refreshing Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is also a favorite of mine to serve when the occasion calls for something a bit more special.

For filling lunches and cozy dinners, these are the ones I always point people toward: this comforting Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, rich Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and creamy Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. And if I'm after something even heartier, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultra-comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Street food and party-style plates are another mood I cook for often, and that usually means this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, flavorful Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crunchy Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These easy Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another one I like to set out as a no-fuss appetizer or snack.

And when I'm building drinks and a full spread for company, dinner often gets paired with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this bold Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, this tangy French Remoulade Sauce recipe works great on the side, and this striking Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe makes a beautiful finish.

Additional Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of testing and fine-tuning recipes in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the strongest dishes rely on three things: simplicity, techniques you can trust, and serious flavor.

The recipes gathered here are the ones I genuinely keep coming back to—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something a little more special for friends and family.

On the dessert side, the rich and silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I reach for when I want something elegant without much effort. Another sweet favorite is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better texture in desserts comes in handy, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When something fresh and unfussy is what I'm after, I usually reach for the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a perfectly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For heavier comfort food, I'm quick to suggest the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the quick weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Traditional dishes from around the world are another thing I love to share, among them the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the classic Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is a category I turn to often too, since it saves time without sacrificing texture. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my comforting Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without any gluten.

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