5 Easy Recipes Using Dutch Oven Pulled Chicken
Discover 5 easy and delicious recipes using Dutch Oven pulled chicken! From tacos to pasta, these simple meals are perfect for busy families looking to enjoy homemade, flavorful dishes.
If you’re anything like me, summer (or just a busy season of life!) can make dinnertime feel more like a chore than a joy. That’s why I love having simple, go-to recipes that are both nourishing and easy to prep. One of my favorite kitchen hacks? Making a big batch of Dutch Oven pulled chicken at the beginning of the week and turning it into multiple meals.
These 5 recipes are perfect for families who want to enjoy homemade, flavorful meals without the stress. Whether you’re trying to make the most of weeknight dinners or looking to simplify your summer meal routine, pulled chicken is your new best friend.
Looking to simplify your kitchen routine even more? My 5 Days to a Simpler, Nourished Kitchen Quick Start Guide is the perfect way to get started! It’s packed with easy, practical tips to help you streamline your cooking while focusing on nourishing meals for your family. Download it HERE for free and kickstart your journey to a more manageable kitchen routine!
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What You’ll Love About This Recipe
- Flavorful: A rich, savory base that enhances whatever dish you use it in
- Easy & Versatile: Make once, enjoy five different ways
- Convenient: Make a big batch of this easy pull-apart chicken, store or freeze, and pull out whenever you need a meal in a pinch. Plus all you need is a large dutch oven.
Key Ingredients
- 2 lbs of boneless chicken breasts or thighs (choose boneless skinless chicken thighs for a more budget-friendly option)
- Chicken broth or vegetable broth–chicken stock also works! Bone broth is another favorite way to go!
- Seasonings—you can easily adjust these to your own taste and liking. I sometimes even add garlic powder or onion powder!
You can find the full list of ingredients in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Dutch Oven Pulled Chicken
This recipe is such an easy recipe, you’re going to wonder why you haven’t made it more often!
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Rinse and pat dry your chicken, then season with salt and pepper. Place the chicken in the bottom of the Dutch oven or even a cast iron dutch oven works and add the broth—make sure the chicken is completely covered.
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Add chopped onion and celery, cover with the lid, and bake for 40–50 minutes or until the cooked chicken breasts reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F and shreds easily.
To shred, you can use two forks, but II find the easiest way is if you have a stand mixer, use the paddle attachment on low speed for quick and easy shredding. Pro tip: store your leftover pulled chicken in some of the cooking liquid to keep it juicy and flavorful in the fridge. You’ll notice the more flavorful chicken when you go to warm it up!
Tips and Suggestions
- Store in the fridge: Airtight container for 3–4 days
- Freeze: Up to 3 months
- Yield: 1 pound of chicken makes about 2½ cups shredded chicken
5 Easy Recipes Using Pulled Chicken
- Pulled Chicken Tacos or Taco Bowls–Toss your pulled chicken with taco seasoning (check out my Simple Swaps Guide for a homemade version!). Load into tortillas and top with your favorites—avocado, cheese, salsa, cilantro, you name it.
- Pulled Chicken Sandwiches–Pile your chicken on a toasted bun, drizzle with barbecue sauce, and top with coleslaw. For a buffalo twist, mix the chicken with buffalo sauce and a drizzle of ranch dressing. This meal is a great way to use this easy shredded chicken recipe! Summertime favorite!
- Pulled Chicken Salad–Perfect for lunch! Mix pulled chicken with chopped onion, celery, salt, pepper, and a bit of mayo. Serve on sourdough or enjoy with crackers and sliced veggies.
- Pulled Chicken Quesadillas–Layer cheese and pulled chicken in a tortilla, cook until crispy, and serve with salsa and sour cream. A quick, kid-approved favorite in our house. You can even easily roll these into chicken enchiladas!
- Pulled Chicken Pasta–Stir your shredded chicken into warm Alfredo sauce and mix with pasta. Sprinkle with Parmesan for a cozy, comforting dinner that comes together in minutes.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, but make sure to thaw it completely before cooking for best results
A stand mixer with the paddle attachment makes quick work of shredding. No mixer? Two forks work just fine!
Absolutely. Boneless skinless chicken breasts are easier for me, but if you have bone in on hand, just be sure to remove the bones after cooking and before shredding.
Cooking from scratch can be as simple as this pulled chicken recipe! It doesn’t have to mean complicated or time-consuming. With simple recipes like Dutch Oven Pulled Chicken, you can create nourishing, homemade meals that fit beautifully into even the busiest seasons of life. I hope these ideas inspire you to embrace a simpler approach in the kitchen—one that brings ease, flavor, and joy back to mealtime. Let this be your reminder that simplifying doesn’t mean sacrificing—it means making space for what matters most.
More Dutch Oven Recipes You’ll Love
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If you make this recipe, please leave a rating on the recipe card below! I’d also love for you to tag me @autumn.chasingoursimple on Instagram so I can see what you’ve been baking!
5 Easy Recipes Using Dutch Oven Pulled Chicken
Equipment
- 7 qt Dutch Oven
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken breasts or thighs
- salt and pepper
- 4 cups broth
- ½ cup onion, chopped
- 2 cup celery stalks, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Rinse chicken breast, pat dry with a paper towel and then season with salt and pepper.
- Place chicken breasts (or thighs) in a dutch oven and pour in chicken broth. Be sure the broth fully covers the chicken.
- Add chopped onion and celery to the pot.
- Place the lid on the dutch oven and place in the oven for 40-50 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches a temperature of 165°F. The chicken should shred easily with a fork.
- To easily shred the chicken, remove it from the dutch oven and place it in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Turn the mixer on low speed and the chicken will shred easily. If you do not have a stand mixer, you can shred the chicken using 2 forks.
