This is a chicken version of the popular pulled pork bbq that can be found at just about any BBQ joint in North Alabama. Many folks forego the sauce entirely because it is already juicy and flavorful so nothing else is needed. What’s even better is that my version tastes just like the restaurants, but instead of a smokehouse, we use a slow cooker and boneless skinless chicken breasts! Another huge benefit of this for me is that I can make 5 pounds of pulled chicken bbq for what I would purchase 1 pound of bbq for. Pulled Chicken BBQ for sandwiches at around $2 per pound instead of nearly $11 a pound – that’s a deal! Now, you are welcome to half this recipe but it freezes like a dream so my suggestion is to make the whole lot of it and then freeze it in one pound portions for quick suppers or potluck dishes throughout the summer. Chances are you’ll like it so much that those 5 pounds don’t last nearly as long as you expect them to!
Note, if you’re looking for the recipe of that White BBQ Sauce Alabama is famous for, click here.
For those of you who want to jump right to the recipe, just scroll down until you see the printable recipe card. If you have time to visit a bit, grab a glass of something nice and settle in a bit because I’m about to state the understatement of the century, Ready? Let’s go!
Navigating humanity is tricky these days. If you’re surprised by this sentence, I’d love to know what secluded forest you live in and if there is room for a few more.
For very valid reasons in our cultural climate, we are all on the defensive to an extent. Everyone is offended, a lot of people are out to offend, and we never know when the wind is going to shift and it is all going to be aimed at us for whatever reason. It’s stressful just to turn on the news, not to mention opening up Facebook. I mean, think about it, when was the last time you had an entire day (in which you were connected to the world) that wasn’t dotted with moments of anxiety or news stories that made you widen your eyes and take a deep breath.
So today, I wanted to share with you what is on my heart in terms of how we should be dealing with all of this and the one word that defines that is : Grace.
When you go out into this world of ours, when you encounter people online who want to stir up trouble or who would argue with a hole in the wall, show grace. Even if it isn’t shown to you. Show grace. Accept that some of people out there stirring the pot may not even realize what they are doing – So show grace.
Someone has to be different. Someone has to step up and see through the fear and the stress and the anxiety of the world around us. Living within it all, we understand where it is coming from. We are not surprised by it and we have to cut through all of that by showing grace to our brothers and sisters.
Someone is nasty to you – Don’t be nasty back. Someone tries to cut you off – Give way to them. Someone tries to start an argument with you – Show them the peace in your heart instead of giving them a piece of your mind. Be at peace. Live in grace. Exude grace to others. If we train ourselves to put our effort into loving people we won’t be so focused on wanting to be right of ourselves – we will want to be right with God. And we’ve got to love people again. People of all colors, all political parties, all religions, all accents, all occupations. We’ve got to get back to what connects us and focus on that because focusing on what divides us only divides us further.
And a person who feels no common bond will not get close enough to want to know about your hope, much less your God. And goodness knows God has shown us grace. Filled us to the overflowing with it. For what reason? So that we can overflow onto others.
With grace.
So navigating humanity is tricky these days. But the one way to stop the constant waves of animosity is to not be a conductor of it. Be the kindness in a crowd of complaints. Be the soft voice to an ear that spends their days with only yelling.
Be the safe place. Show grace. Be the grace.
And then, when they ask for your thoughts on a topic, you’ll be amazed at how much folks actually listen to your answer.
- 5 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Tablespoon salt
- Teaspoon pepper
- 1.5 cups apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (does not make it spicy)
- Place chicken in slow cooker. Pour cider vinegar over and add salt and pepper.
- Cook on high, 4-5 hours or low, 8-9 hours. Use tongs to remove chicken from slow cooker - note that chicken will fall apart as you do this.
- Take out 2 cups of liquid from the slow cooker and discard rest. To that two cups, add brown sugar, hot sauce, and pepper flakes. Stir. Put chicken back in slow cooker, pour sauce over, stir, and enjoy!
Click here to get my recipe for Alabama White BBQ Sauce
Click here to get my recipe for Vinegar Slaw as pictured in this photo.
Click here for Miss Millie’s Best Coleslaw.
Click here to get my recipe for Beefed Up Baked Beans.
Click here for my homemade Banana Pudding, which could easily bring about world peace if used properly.
Love one another as I have loved you.
~Jesus
Yum
Such great advice!! I work in a job where I see the worst in people and in our church we just studied Grace and Forgiveness! I am always praying that God will grant me patients, kindness, helpfulness, forgiveness and so much more on my job. It is a work in progress to be sure but it has to start somewhere and He is such a merciful God that we should do the same. Thank you for the reminder! Have a wonderful day.
Thank you, Cheryl! You are so right. This past weekend my site was down for almost two days due to a vicious dns attack. We were on the phone over 16 hours and barely slept during that entire time trying to fight it and get the site back up. In the middle of us, my husband looked at me and said “We really need to pray for whoever is doing this.”
If we focus on God, He keeps our focus where it should be!
Gratefully,
C J
Thank you Christy for your amazing post on GRACE! I love Southern Plate and I so appreciate your encouraging words and Christian stand in a world that is fast losing focus. Keep it up!! I miss your printables and look forward to new ones.
Prayers,
June Wells
Thank you so much June, that means the world to me. There will be more printables, it is just a matter of finding the time to get to all the different posts I have in my mind and heart at the moment 🙂
Prayers and Blessings to you!!
Amen
Praise God. Do you mind if I use your Grace testimony. I have never heard it said quite this simply. And thank you for your recipes. Simple but oh so delicious.
This recipe sounds amazing! I’m going to make it with the BBQ beans and BBQ sauce both listed on this recipe.. Yum for certain.. Thank you Christy for everything you do for all of us cooks out here and for all of us believers, Sue Hill
Thank you so much Sue, I hope you enjoy all of the recipes!!
I can’t wait to try this. I think it will be good for the Memorial Day family get together too!
Let me know how you like it, Stacey! thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you have a great afternoon!
Does the 1 tab. of hot sauce add heat or just flavor? Sounds so yummy!
It just adds flavor. This isn’t a spicy bbq but it does have a bit of a twang to it.
If you use Tobasco sauce all you will get is heat. So many other brands out there now that offer flavor plus heat. My choices would be Crystal’s, Cholula, Sriracha and Texas Pete in my order of preference.
So excited when I saw this recipe! Could you be so kind as to post the recipe for North Alabama’s white sauce? I’m a North Alabama transplant from California and my sons have learned to love the white sauce served at our local restaurants. The smother it on everything! I would love to be able to make our own!
Thanks!
Absolutely! My brother used to own a BBQ restaurant and this is the recipe he used: https://www.southernplate.com/alabama-white-barbecue-sauce/
Wonderful! Thank you!
Thank you, Christy — a cook who pastors her little cooking flock with much more than recipes! So often I think about what you write, try to memorize little phrases, write it on notes around my house… this was a great post.
I currently have 4 teenagers, who are in that angsty, peril-fraught season of trying to figure out what they want to do, who they want to be, and what they want to be like. I am going to have them read this and we’ll discuss it, like a Bible study, but a how-to-really-be-a-Christian study. Would you have any particular scripture references that reinforce these ideas? not to give you more work to do!! … just off the top of your head.
You are making me into a better person and my little crowd into a better family. Thank you!
Lisa, thank you so much. I’m honored that you even read me and thrilled that you find some of my ramblings useful and applicable to life! I have two teenagers now as well so feel like I know where you are coming from. As far as Scripture references, the one that keeps jumping out in my mind is “Love one another as I have loved you.” I think of all that Jesus went through, how He was treated by people He had come to save, how He was disciplined by people who should have realized that He was the teacher, how He was sought out by the least of these, that so many would turn their backs on, and he embraced them. He is our ultimate example and I think showing grace in the way I talk about in this article is exactly what He would do.
You know, years ago those WWJD bracelets got to be so popular. The thing is, we never need ask What Would Jesus Do? because we have such a wonderful record of exactly what He did.
Jesus would do the will of the Father. He was the light, the way, and no one, no situation, could take away His peace or snuff out that light.
Grace,kindness,compassion,common courtesy…Preach it!lol!Am a mother to 4 adult daughters,and my 7th grandchild is due in May.Am almost 57.I AM that annoying person,(at least to the TRULY mean spirited);that will “break” you.In breaking a smile,a laugh,or maybe even strike up a conversation.EVERY time I leave my home,my goal is to leave a positive mark out there.Is SO much easier to be kind,and SO much more fun to traverse through our tasks with love and humor!!Post that sauce recipe!Think I ealready have it on a Pinterest board,YUM!!
HA!! I used to challenge myself that way back in the old days when I was a bank teller. I was determined that everyone would leave my window smiling. It was a fun challenge that kept me on my toes and lifted my spirits as well! I agree wholeheartedly – thank you for your wonderful example and your help!
Well, I’ll be adopting “grace” as my word for the season…softball starts tonight and I’m an umpire! Sure wish some of the guys would show me a little grace LOL!! Perfect word for me to keep in mind for those very few players who like to run their mouths! Six nights a week until Thanksgiving…I can do this (with lots of help from the Lord). Another great recipe from you too that will help me keep my dad fed and happy!!
We will be praying for you and rooting in your corner!!! I’ve never known you to be anything other than grace filled so I have complete faith 🙂
Christy, I am having trouble accessing the recipe box. When I get to screen that with pics to confirm I am not a robot, I can’t move down to see all or click submit:next. I am not too tech oriented. Help please.
Hey Cathy! I’m sorry you’re having problems! What browser are you using? Can you just click enter and see if that helps?
Can’t wait to try the recipe!! Your words are wonderful and touched my heart, as always!
Thank you so much, Pam! You’ve stuck with me for years and please know that I truly appreciate it!
This is my favorite verse and I think it applies. Roman 15:13
May the God of Hope fill you with all Joy and Peace as you Trust in Him, so that you may Overflow with Hope by the Power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for pulled chicken recipe. This looks easy and good.
Oh my goodness, what an amazing verse. Just reading it poured peace over my heart. Thank you for sharing that. Have a blessed evening, Kathy!
Be the safe space.
That is beautiful!
Thank you.
Thank you so much, Jane! Have a blessed day!
This recipe and sauce look so good. I am gathering ingredients to make this for the week. Curious as to whether you have ever used boneless skinless chicken thighs in place of the breasts? Blessings to you and your family.
You know, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen boneless skinless chicken thighs in my neck of the woods but I see no reason at all why it wouldn’t work! Thank you for your kindness and for being here!
What hot sauce do you use?
Thank you
I just use whatever I have. I generally have Texas Pete or Franks in the fridge.
I made your Banana Pudding for our Easter dinner! It was a big hit!
Yum, Christy! I need to try this! It looks delicious and my boys have been begging for Alabama white sauce! This grace thing….. it’s not easy to be nice to people that really just “suck”. I have been praying for you! And I can’t wait for Becoming!!!!!! I am coming Friday and leaving Sunday sometime.
I agree, it can definitely be hard at times, but I also feel it is what we need to strive for. I can’t wait to see you at Becoming, it is going to be such a joyous weekend!!
Well said Christy, sometimes people just have a bad day and need a little Grace to help them get through. We have to let go of our own ego to realize if someone is being ugly to us, that it has more to do with them and what is going on in their life. I try to always think about other people and what circumstances might have brought them to that point in their life. Even with the horrific things we see on the news. Everyone needs our love and compassion. I read something once that said the people who are the hardest to love are the people who need it the most.
Amen Jayson, well said my friend!!
Christy, I love many of your recipes, and much of your “advice”. I suspect, if we sat down to have a theological discussion, we might find ourselves pretty far apart. But, having said that, I’ve never once seen you be mean, or judgmental, and I consider that to be primary for the body of Christ. I admire SO much about you! I think another scripture that may apply here is this:
“ Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
This specific wording is from Matthew, but it’s in 3 of the 4 Gospels. Somehow, I doubt that Jesus meant I was suppose to only love the folks that live on either side of me. I think He means we are suppose to love everyone. And when we love someone, we care about their feelings, and we treat them with grace and kindness, or we should. I know I fail plenty. But, I’m truly trying to live with this in mind. I mean Goodness, if it’s one of the MOST important things, shouldn’t I pay attention? So, you keep preaching kindness, and grace and joy, and I’ll keep paying attention!
Thank you so much, Roz! And you quoted Jesus saying the Shema! I love it! I imagine you’d be surprised at how much we do have in common when it comes to theology. 🙂 I’m so grateful for you sharing those wonderful verses and agree wholeheartedly with you.
Have a blessed day!
To anyone reading this: I’m on my way to a dental appt but as soon as I get back I’ll work on replying to the rest of the comments. Thank you for being here!
Hi Christy, gosh I wish I was more handy with the computer, I would love to print out today’s post, I believe we need to be kindness, to be full of grace to show compassion, to heal not wound. I enjoy the posts you put up and often you are speaking things that I have been feeling and I think yes someone else knows what I am feeling. My elderly Dad and I have been talking about how Grandma’s generation behaved and how yes they had their opinions but they never voiced them if what they thought would hurt someone else’s feelings. They were brought up to consider others, to be mindful of hurting some one and they had good manners, it started to change in the 1970s and has just gotten so bad, I feel ike hiding away from the world sometimes. Thank you Christy god bless from Judi in Australia.
You are so right Judi, it does seem to continue to deteriorate, but there is hope! Change happens one person at a time 🙂
This post uplifted me. I will strive to show grace today, even when it feels difficult.
I am glad you enjoyed it and found it uplifting Kimberly, you are going to be such an inspiration to others!
Just got this into the crock pot and looking forward to trying the results. My Daddy used a vinegar based sauce when he grilled chicken and I spent many an hour watching him mop that sauce on chicken quarters. This recipe makes me smile and remember, so it is already a winner without a taste! ❤️
This looks perfect for easy summer Sunday dinners! I’m making menus right now, so in it goes.
Thanks for letting God’s grace flow through all your writings, Christy. I always leave your site blessed and happy.
Thank You so much Becky, that means the world to me!!
I did it! I served this to my crew last Sunday! It was a hit with all 11 of us. : ) It made a PERFECT easy Sunday dinner. We did your AL white BBQ sauce and your coleslaw (a HUGE family favorite for years now) with it too. This meal will definitely go on frequent repeat on my menu!!! THANKS!
Thank you for this reminder, Christy! I so enjoy your recipes (made your banana pudding for Easter potluck and it was the best ever!) but love even more how you share Christ. God bless you!
Thank you so much Miranda, I am so glad to hear the Banana Pudding was a hit!! May God bless you and yours!!
I chose GRACE as my “one word” for 2018.
Thank you, both for the recipe and for your grace through the years. We were so sorry to hear about the cyber-attack and have been googling and clicking though like mad to try to restore you. Your good humor, kind words and yummy delights have been important for my family for many years.
Christy, could pork loin be substituted here or would that be too lean?
Also, when someone gets nasty with me, I try to remember that they are still one of God’s children and that I can choose to act and not react.
I tried your recipe for BbQ and the cheesy pot pie recipe and the biscuits..I can’t cook and your recipes were so concise and simple and delicious ,I am seriously impressed.Thank you sooo much..you might make a good cook out of me yet ♡♡♡
Made this last weekend, and it was so tender and tasty! The family loved it.
How long will this keep in the refrigerator?
Personally, I would be comfortable keeping it 3-5 days in the fridge but if packaged correctly it could keep years in the freezer.
If I freeze leftovers in vacuum-sealed bags, how would I reheat it?
It depends. Some of the vacuum seal bags allow for reheating in the oven so if that is the case you could just pop it in the oven at the recommended temp (on the bag) until heated through. If you use regular bags I would open it and heat it either in the microwave or in the slow cooker. Make sure you freeze it with some juice either way. 🙂
Another great recipe to put on my “Try This List”. Always looking for something new at meal time.
God guided me to your website. You always give me the encouragement that I need when I need it. My neighbor is bound and determined to make our lives miserable. I have been praying for patience and guidance. Often I fail. I know that I need to pray for him too. Maybe someone is making him miserable. Thank you for your help and your recipes and memories. My mother lost her mother when she was 5 years old. So she did not have the loving teachers that you have had. Her grandma raised her, but she too lost her mother at a young age. My dad’s mom never learned to cook. I remember standing on a chair with an apron around my waist and stirring a pot of soup with my great aunt helping me. Guess what the soup was? Campbell’s mushroom soup! I appreciate all that you do. Thank you.
I def need to try this.
Christy, You are spot on with the Grace idea. I wish that I practiced it more than I do. I thought so much of your article that I am going to send it to my Life group Leader at the church I attend and maybe it will be a topic of conversation as it is definitely needed during these troubled times for America. On another note, I grew up in Natural Bridge Alabama and this recipe is also spot on. I will be cooking this for my daughter and I. I love Big Bob Gibson’s place in Florence/Muscle Shoals and I love white sauce. Thanks for this and thank you so much for the Grace you show and share with us.
Thank YOU so much Dave, that means the world to me!!
Have you made this with a Boston Butt instead of chicken? Thank you!!!!