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Tender Low-Carb Pulled Chicken Recipe Easy Homemade Perfect for Meal Prep

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A tender, flavorful pulled chicken recipe that’s low-carb, quick to make, and perfect for meal prep. This dish offers a smoky, tangy, and slightly sweet flavor profile with simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¾ cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon low-carb sweetener (erythritol or monk fruit, optional)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix onion powder, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Rub the spice blend evenly over both sides of the chicken. (Prep time: 10 minutes)
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs and cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until golden brown, then flip and brown the other side for 3 minutes.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly. Pour in chicken broth and apple cider vinegar to deglaze the pan, scraping browned bits with a wooden spoon.
  4. Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce (if using), and low-carb sweetener. Bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook on low heat for 25-30 minutes until chicken is tender and easily pulled apart. Add more broth if sauce reduces too much.
  5. Remove chicken from pan and shred using two forks or shredding claws.
  6. Return shredded chicken to pan, stir to coat with sauce, and cook uncovered for 5 minutes to thicken sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt or pepper if needed.
  7. Serve hot with low-carb sides or cool before packing into meal prep containers.

Notes

For extra tenderness, add a splash of water or broth during simmering and cook longer. Use chicken thighs for juicier meat. Searing the chicken before simmering locks in flavor. Adjust chili powder to control heat. Slow cooker method: after searing, cook on low for 4-5 hours.

Nutrition

Keywords: pulled chicken, low-carb, meal prep, easy recipe, tender chicken, keto, paleo, gluten-free

Find it online: https://tastypierecipes.com/tender-low-carb-pulled-chicken-recipe-easy-homemade-perfect-for-meal-prep/