Ingredients
Here’s a handy list of everything you’ll need for this recipe:
For the Pulled Chicken:
- Chicken breasts (boneless, skinless): 4 medium-sized
- BBQ sauce: 1 cup (your favorite brand or homemade)
- Chicken broth: ½ cup (to keep the chicken moist)
- Garlic powder: 1 tsp
- Smoked paprika: ½ tsp
- Salt and pepper: To taste
For the Lettuce Wraps:
- Lettuce leaves: Butter lettuce or Romaine work best
- Red onion: Thinly sliced
- Shredded carrots: For crunch and sweetness
- Cilantro: Chopped, for garnish
Optional Toppings:
- Sliced jalapeños (for heat)
- Crumbled feta or cheddar cheese
- A dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt
Feel free to mix and match based on your preferences. Now, let’s move on to the cooking process!
How to Make BBQ Pulled Chicken Lettuce Wraps
This recipe comes together in a few simple steps. Don’t worry—it’s easier than it sounds!
Step 1: Cook the Chicken
How do you get that tender, pull-apart chicken texture? Slow cooking is the key. Here’s how:
- Prep the Chicken: Season your chicken breasts with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Cook: Place the chicken in a slow cooker, add the chicken broth, and pour the BBQ sauce on top. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Shred the Chicken: Once the chicken is fully cooked, use two forks to shred it right in the slow cooker. Let it soak up all the flavorful juices.
If you’re short on time, you can also use an Instant Pot or pressure cooker. Cooking under high pressure for about 20 minutes will give you equally delicious results.
Step 2: Prep the Lettuce and Toppings
While your chicken is cooking, get your lettuce and toppings ready.
- Wash the Lettuce: Gently rinse and pat dry your lettuce leaves. Keep them whole to form natural “cups.”
- Chop and Slice: Prepare your toppings, like thinly slicing red onions, shredding carrots, and chopping cilantro.
- Optional Pro Tip: If you want an extra kick, pickle your red onions in vinegar and a pinch of sugar for a few minutes.
Step 3: Assemble the Lettuce Wraps
Now comes the fun part—putting it all together!
- Layer the Base: Start by placing a generous scoop of BBQ pulled chicken onto each lettuce leaf.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle your favorite toppings, like red onions, shredded carrots, and cilantro.
- Drizzle and Serve: Add a final drizzle of BBQ sauce or a dollop of sour cream for extra flavor. Serve immediately!
Serving tip: Use a large platter to arrange all the components so everyone can build their wraps to their liking.
