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Brown Sugar Pulled Chicken Recipe

Tender chicken simmered in a sweet savory brown sugar sauce until perfectly coated.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken:
  • 2 pounds chicken thighs boneless skinless
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Brown Sugar Sauce:
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
For Thickening:
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Chicken thighs are placed into a large pot in a single layer. Salt, pepper, and oregano get sprinkled evenly so each piece absorbs flavor from the start.
  2. Add the Liquid Base: Water is poured into the pot, just enough to keep moisture steady during cooking. The heat starts at medium so everything warms evenly.
  3. Build the Sauce: Brown sugar, soy sauce, and balsamic vinegar are added directly over the chicken. Gentle stirring helps the sugar dissolve into the liquid as heat rises.
  4. Simmer Slowly: The pot stays covered while everything simmers. Chicken softens gradually as the sauce darkens and thickens slightly. Occasional stirring keeps the bottom from sticking.
  5. Shred the Chicken: Once chicken turns fork tender, it gets broken into strands right inside the pot. The texture becomes soft and juicy while soaking up the sauce.
  6. Thicken the Sauce: Cornstarch is mixed with a small splash of water, then stirred into the pot. The sauce tightens quickly and turns glossy.
  7. Final Simmer: A short uncovered simmer finishes everything. The sauce clings to the chicken and deepens in flavor before heat gets turned off.