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Home » Recipes » Grilling » BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches: Authentic Smoky Flavor From the Grill

BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches: Authentic Smoky Flavor From the Grill

Published July 28, 2011. Last updated January 2, 2019 by Judy Purcell 27 Comments

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Learn how to turn your grill into a smoker. Get authentic smoke flavor from your grill with cedar planks.

No smoker? No problem!

Make BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches with a gas grill and cedar planks to get authentic smoky flavor from the grill everyone loves.

BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches with Coleslaw

BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches with Coleslaw

What foodie doesn’t dream about more cooking stuff?

I know I’ve been eyeballing a Traeger Smoker for a while now with visions of smoked brisket dancing in my head. So, what am I supposed to do until the smoker fairy drops one in my lap?

Well, for now I’ll grill on cedar planks, which turns out a succulent smoky chicken, perfect for BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches.

Yes, Traegers can occasionally be found at Costco doing a road show, but Costco has cedar planks too, which are far easier to budget. If you have a gas grill, the planks are all you’ll need to make this smoked chicken (see photos below).

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BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

Smokey Pulled Chicken tossed in a delicious BBQ sauce and served on Sprouted Wheat Buns with coleslaw.
Prep Time1 hour hr
Cook Time30 minutes mins
Total Time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 Servings
Author: Judy Purcell
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Ingredients

  • 8-10 whole chicken thighs -- bone-in , skin removed
  • onion powder
  • granulated garlic
  • smoked paprika
  • sea salt and ground black pepper
  • 2 7 "x16" cedar planks -- untreated , designed for grilling

For the Sauce:

  • 1 large onion -- peeled and quartered
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 1/2 cups ketchup
  • 1 1/2 cups apple cider
  • 2 tablespoons palm coconut sugar or brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 4 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1/3 cup molasses
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 medium cloves garlic -- minced
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or a splash or two of Chipotle Tobasco
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Instructions

  • Soak cedar plank in water for an hour or so. Remove skin from chicken thighs. Sprinkle both sides of chicken pieces with onion powder, granulated garlic, paprika, salt and pepper.
  • On a gas grill, place soaked cedar plank directly over medium heat and allow wood to get hot, 3-5 minutes.
  • Place chicken directly on the cedar plank and cook over medium-low heat (this will depend on the grill, so you may have to adjust the temp to be sure the plank stays hot enough).
  • As the chicken cooks, rotate one or two pieces at a time and cook directly on the grill for a few minutes, then back to the plank. This will help the chicken cook through.
  • During the cooking process, the wood plank will char and smoke which is ideal. If the wood should begin to catch fire, simply spray those parts with a little water.
  • Once the chicken is cooked through, transfer to a rimmed baking sheet and allow to cool until easy to handle. This is the time to make the sauce.

For the Sauce:

  • Process onion and water in food processor until pureed. Pass mixture through fine-mesh strainer into liquid measuring cup, pressing on solids; this should produce approximately 3/4 cup strained onion juice. Discard solids.
  • Whisk onion puree, ketchup, apple cider, sugar, Worcestershire, mustard, molasses, pepper, cider vinegar, and liquid smoke together in medium bowl.
  • Heat oil in nonreactive saucepan over medium heat until shimmering; add garlic, chili powder, and cayenne and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  • Stir in ketchup mixture; increase heat to medium-high, bring to boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, uncovered, until flavors meld and sauce is slightly thickened, about 15 minutes. This will yield approximately 4 cups of sauce.
  • Remove chicken from the bone with fingers. Remove any gristle, fat, or connective tissue so that only the meat remains. Pull chicken meat apart so that it is in small strips and pieces.
  • To serve, toss chicken with desired amount of sauce in a separate large skillet or oven dish--add as little or as much sauce as you prefer.
  • Extra sauce can be stored in the refrigerator. Heat chicken with sauce in the skillet over medium-low heat or in the oven at 350° until incorporated and heated through. Serve on Sprouted Wheat Buns with coleslaw on top.

Nutrition

Calories: 542kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 147mg | Sodium: 904mg | Potassium: 981mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 855IU | Vitamin C: 6.2mg | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 3.1mg
Learn how to make this and all recipes even easier!Check out our Monthly Meal Prep System!

Using cedar planks to smoke chicken on the grill.Smoked chicken thighs fresh off the cedar planks cooked on the grill.BBQ Chicken Sandwich without Coleslaw on a sesame seed bun.

 


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Filed Under: Chicken & Poultry, Grilling, Main Courses, Party Foods, Recipes Tagged With: cedar planks

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    Rating




  1. Jill says

    March 10, 2020 at 7:21 am

    5 stars
    What a refreshing change from pork, we loved these sandwiches!

    Reply
  2. Mandy - The Complete Cook Book says

    October 25, 2013 at 2:49 am

    Divine! What a fabulous meal. My hubby recently bought a plank but alas I cannot remember what wood it is. It’s amazing how well they work. Your sliders would definitely be a hit with my whole family. I wonder if that fairy could have a word with Santa for you…
    Have a beautiful weekend Judy.
    🙂 Mandy xo

    Reply
    • Judy Purcell says

      October 25, 2013 at 7:21 am

      Thanks for your sweet comment, Mandy. It is great how versatile the planks really are, we use them all the time. Thanks for putting in a word with Santa, I’ll be spying the tree for a big box. 😉

      Reply
  3. Purely.. Kay says

    August 27, 2012 at 12:39 pm

    Okay.. I am in love with this recipe. I have to make this before summer leaves for good. And Congrats, I will be featuring this on my favorite links of the week this Saturday 🙂

    Reply
  4. savorysaltysweet says

    July 11, 2012 at 10:45 pm

    I’ve been super into barbecue lately, and this looks like a wonderful dish to try out. I can’t wait to give it a whirl.

    Reply
  5. Hotly Spiced says

    July 7, 2012 at 6:54 am

    These rolls look divine and the chicken with its smoky flavour must be amazing. I love to use the BBQ during summer. It gives the food great flavour and it’s a very relaxing way to cook. xx

    Reply
  6. Chris says

    June 22, 2012 at 9:52 pm

    Looks perfect with that coleslaw!

    I’ve never cooked with Cedar Planks before, must try. How much smoky flavor do you get out of them though?

    Reply
    • Judy Purcell says

      June 23, 2012 at 8:30 am

      Hi Chris, thanks for stopping by and commenting. I’m glad I found your blog as well. 🙂 The cedar planks give a wonderful smoky flavor to the chicken, especially if the skin is removed before grilling. As you can see in the photo, there is a good amount of smoke produced as the planks char beneath the chicken–you should have as much smoky flavor as you would using a smoker. If you do try it, let me know how it goes for you.

      Reply
  7. Jen @ Savory Simple says

    June 2, 2012 at 12:32 pm

    The sandwich looks fantastic. I’m obsessed with kitchen toys and it’s a wonder I haven’t gotten around to planks or a smoker. In time.

    Reply
  8. mjskit says

    May 26, 2012 at 10:24 am

    This chicken looks awesome! Bobby cedar planks salmon all of the time, but that’s it. He’s my grillmaster. 🙂 I’ll have to show him this post because I love the idea of cedar plank chicken! With your seasoning, I can imagine how absolutely delicious this chicken is. I would probably just eat it plan, no bread or anything! Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

    Reply
    • Judy Purcell says

      May 26, 2012 at 10:35 am

      The cedar planks are awesome with chicken–bone-in thighs or boneless, skinless breasts too. If you try it, let me know how you like it. 🙂

      Reply
  9. Maureen @ Orgasmic Chef says

    May 26, 2012 at 3:09 am

    I’ve never cooked chicken on planks but that’s history now! This sandwich looks fantastic.

    Reply
    • Judy Purcell says

      May 26, 2012 at 7:56 am

      Oh, I think you will love the results. Thanks for stopping by and commenting, hope to see you again!

      Reply
  10. Alea Milham says

    August 8, 2011 at 2:40 pm

    I have enjoyed pulled pork for ages, but I was just introduced to the concpt of putting coleslaw on top of pulled pork last week. It was a delicious combination. Your recipe looks wonderful; thanks for sharing it with the Hearth and Soul Hop.

    Reply
  11. swathi says

    August 3, 2011 at 3:39 pm

    Pulled chicken sandwich looks delicious. thanks for sharing with hearth and soul blog hop.

    Reply
  12. Miz Helen says

    August 2, 2011 at 2:52 pm

    Thanks for sharing this great recipe!
    Miz Helen

    Reply
  13. thedrivencook says

    July 31, 2011 at 8:11 pm

    Oh wow that looks good! I’ve been on a quest for the perfect slaw but I don’t like mayo- any tips?

    Reply
    • Judy says

      August 1, 2011 at 6:25 am

      Yes! Back in June I posted three slaw recipes for a Test Kitchen Tuesday and loved all three https://savoringtoday.com/2011/06/28/beyond-classic-slaw-test-kitchen-tuesday/ One of them is creamy, but Greek yogurt is used instead of mayo. Also, you might even try substituting Greek yogurt for any slaw recipe using mayo…maybe add a little more honey if you do. Let me know what you think and if you find that perfect slaw :).

      Reply
  14. Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide says

    July 30, 2011 at 8:46 am

    These look wonderful and I love the cedar plank treatment. But a smoker will complete your life! Ha, I’ll send a wish to the smoker fairies on your behalf.

    Reply
    • Judy says

      July 30, 2011 at 9:38 am

      Thanks for the wishes 🙂 When my husband read this, he declared himself the smoker fairy–made me laugh, but it is more likely that way! 😉 LOL

      Reply
  15. Bree says

    July 29, 2011 at 11:47 am

    These look fantastic! I have used the planks for fish but not for chicken before. I will need to try. And yes, I literally have recipes come to me in my dreams!
    Bree

    Reply
    • Judy says

      July 29, 2011 at 8:19 pm

      I know what you mean, it’s crazy how much I think of food–definitely in the middle of the night :/ Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  16. Tara @ the pleased plate says

    July 29, 2011 at 7:45 am

    I just found your site on foodblogs.com and I love it! This chicken looks outstanding. Can’t wait to learn more from your posts!

    Reply
    • Judy says

      July 29, 2011 at 11:39 am

      Thanks so much, glad you stopped by 🙂 It is a great way to make chicken, hope you like it!

      Reply
  17. Kevin (BBQ Smoker Site) says

    July 28, 2011 at 10:43 pm

    Awesome use of the cedar planks on your gasser! We do the same! Cedar’s great over heat because it doesn’t bow up like some of the hard woods (maple, cherry, etc.).

    Reply
  18. rsmacaalay says

    July 28, 2011 at 4:22 pm

    I like it specially knowing that you used thighs. Yum!

    Reply
  19. Karen says

    July 28, 2011 at 1:38 pm

    I’m so happy to have found your post. I use cedar planks for salmon and it is wonderful. I have no idea why I never thought of going anything else on the planks. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

    Reply
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