Carolina Pulled Chicken

Ingredients

• 3 lbbone-in chicken thighs$8.55
• 1 cupapple cider vinegar$0.89
• 0.5 cupketchup$0.53
• 2 tbspbrown sugar$0.02
• 0.5 tspred pepper flakes$0.02
• 1 tspgarlic powder$0.02
• 1 tspkosher salt$0.02
• 1 tspblack pepper$0.09
• 8 eachhamburger buns$4.15
• 2 cupcoleslaw$1.71
• Total for 4 servings$16.00

Most of the cost is bone-in chicken thighs ($8.55) and hamburger buns ($4.15). With oil, spices and staples already at home, the shop drops to about $15.07. Prices are estimated for the amount used, at average US grocery prices (November 2026).

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). In a small bowl, combine the kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, then season the bone-in chicken thighs evenly on all sides.
2. Place the seasoned chicken in a baking dish, pour half the apple cider vinegar around the bottom, cover the dish tightly with foil, and roast at 300°F (150°C) for 105 to 120 minutes until the chicken is fork-tender and reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) on an instant-read thermometer.
3. While the chicken finishes roasting, combine the remaining half of the apple cider vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan over medium heat, simmering for 4 to 6 minutes until the sugar is dissolved and the sauce is smooth.
4. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board, discard the skin and bones, and shred the meat with two forks. Place the shredded chicken into a bowl and toss thoroughly with the warm barbecue sauce.
5. Split the hamburger buns, spoon the warm sauced pulled chicken onto each bottom bun, top with the coleslaw, cap with the top buns, and serve.