Dutch Oven BBQ Chicken

These Dutch Oven BBQ Chicken breasts are baked until juicy, pulled, and then tossed in a savory BBQ sauce. It's perfect served on sandwiches!

This Dutch Oven Pulled Chicken is easy to make and can be served any number of ways. I love to toss it in a tangy and savory BBQ sauce and pile it on top of toasted buns with coleslaw and some pickled jalapenos.

The Dutch oven is such a great way to cook just about anything. I use a cast iron Dutch oven to make everything from soups to stews braised meats. It's a no fuss, no frills cooking vessel that creates tasty meals every time.

One of my favorite things to cook in a Dutch oven are bone in (also known as split) chicken breasts. Split chicken breasts remain tender and juicy when cooked properly using a Dutch oven.

This is my go-to recipe for chicken breasts cooked using a Dutch oven. The chicken is pulled after cooking and can be used any way you would use a rotisserie chicken. It can be used to make chicken salad, as a topping for flatbread or pizza, or added to a casserole.

Pulled chicken is kind of a blank canvas and perfect tossed in your favorite sauce. If you like BBQ sauce, you'll love this BBQ pulled chicken. It's versatile and can be served on a sandwich, or used to top your favorite BBQ inspired dishes!

Jump to:

• Why Use Bone In Chicken Breasts?
• Ingredients For Dutch Oven BBQ Chicken
• How To Cook Bone In Chicken Breasts In Dutch Oven
• How Long To Cook Split Chicken Breasts In Dutch Oven
• How To Cook Chicken That Is Moist and Tender
• How To Make The BBQ Sauce
• What To Serve With BBQ Chicken
• How Long Does Pulled Chicken Last In The Fridge?
• Can This Chicken Be Frozen?
• Dutch Oven BBQ Chicken

Why Use Bone In Chicken Breasts?

This dish is made with bone in (also known as split) chicken breasts. Split chicken breasts simply refer to a cut of chicken breast that includes part of the rib bones and the skin.

In general, boneless, skinless chicken breasts are more popular, because they cook quickly and are incredibly versatile. Boneless chicken breasts are also more expensive and dry out more quickly than split chicken breasts, especially when cooked in a Dutch oven.

When it comes to roasting or braising (as is the case with this Dutch oven BBQ chicken), I love to use bone in chicken breasts, because they contain more meat, more flavor, don't dry out when prepared correctly, and are more inexpensive than the boneless variety.

Meat cooked on the bone is always more flavorful than meat cooked without the bone. This is true of all types of meat and applies to all cooking methods.

One step I recommend taking when braising split chicken breasts is to remove the skin before cooking. It's best to leave the skin when roasting, frying, or grilling, as these methods result in crispy skin.

Braising the chicken will result in soggy skin and only serves to add more fat to the dish, so in this case I recommend removing it first.

Ingredients For Dutch Oven BBQ Chicken

Here's what you'll need to make it.

• 2 Split Chicken Breasts (equals 2 ½ - 3 lbs.)
• 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
• 2 tsp. Garlic Powder
• 2 tsp. Onion Powder
• 1 tsp. Smoked Paprika (or regular paprika)
• 1 tsp. Italian Seasoning
• ½ tsp. each Kosher Salt and Pepper (split)
• ¼ cup Low Sodium Chicken Broth
• ¾ cup BBQ Sauce
• ¼ cup Tomato Sauce
• 1 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 tsp. Sriracha Hot Sauce

How To Cook Bone In Chicken Breasts In Dutch Oven

This recipe starts and ends on the stove top. The chicken breasts are sautéed on the stove top with olive oil and spices and the BBQ sauce is simmered on the stove top at the end of the cooking time.

In between those steps, though, the chicken breasts are braised in the oven along with some chicken broth. The chicken cooks for 28-30 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit in the oven.

It's important to use an oven-safe Dutch oven when making this recipe. Oven safe means that the Dutch oven is safe to use both on the stove top and in the oven.

1. Start out by removing the skin from 2 split chicken breasts (equals 2 ½ - 3 lbs.).
2. Sprinkle ¼ tsp. each of kosher salt and pepper on each side of the chicken breasts.
3. Place an oven-safe Dutch oven on the stove top and heat to medium-high. Add 2 Tbsp. olive oil to the pan.
4. Once the oil is heated (the chicken should sizzle as it hits the pan), place the chicken (skin-side down) in the Dutch oven.
5. Sauté the chicken for 5 minutes on the first side.
6. Flip and sauté for another 5 minutes on the second side.
7. Sprinkle 1 tsp. each of garlic and onion powder, and ½ tsp. each of smoked paprika (or regular paprika) and Italian seasoning over the chicken. Sauté for 1 minute.
8. Flip the chicken and sprinkle another 1 tsp. each of garlic and onion powder and ½ tsp. each of smoked paprika and Italian seasoning over the second side. Sauté for another minute.

How Long To Cook Split Chicken Breasts In Dutch Oven

The chicken cooks for 28-30 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit in the oven.

Cooking times may vary slightly, depending on the size of the chicken breasts. It's important to use a food thermometer to check if the chicken has cooked through properly.

The safe internal temperature for chicken is 165 degrees Fahrenheit and this can be checked using a food thermometer. Internal temperature is a more accurate way to gauge if meat is cooked through than cooking time.

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Pour ¼ cup low sodium chicken broth into the Dutch oven.
3. Place the lid on the Dutch oven and place it in the oven.
4. Cook for 28-30 minutes, making sure to check the thickest part of the chicken using a food thermometer to see if it has fully cooked. (Feel free to cook longer if necessary).
5. Remove the Dutch oven from the oven when the chicken has finished cooking.
6. Remove the chicken from the Dutch oven, set aside, and allow to rest. Place the Dutch oven back on the stove top.

How To Cook Chicken That Is Moist and Tender

There are a few tricks that can be used to ensure that the chicken is moist and tender after it's cooked. Chicken can be easy to overcook and overcooking it is what results in dry, tough chicken.

• Make sure to cook the chicken just until it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The only way to accurately test if chicken is cooked is to use a food thermometer. Overcooked chicken is often dry and bland.
• It's very important to let the chicken rest before cutting into it. This will allow the meat to reabsorb all of the juices and prevent it from drying out. This is the same step you would take if making a grilled steak, or any type of grilled or roasted meat.

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the Dutch oven and allow it to sit for 5 minutes before pulling it apart with two forks.

1. After the chicken has rested for five minutes, pull it apart using two forks.
2. Remove all of the meat from the bones, so that none of the bones end up in the final dish.
3. Discard the bones after shredding.

Feel free to use the pulled chicken any way you like at this point. The chicken can be used any way you would use rotisserie chicken and does not need to be tossed with the BBQ sauce if you prefer.

Here are some great ways to use pulled chicken:

• Tacos
• Pizza
• Chicken Salad
• Quesadillas
• Casseroles
• Salads
• Soups
• Taquitos
• Dips
• Enchiladas
• Pasta
• Lettuce Wraps
• Nachos

How To Make The BBQ Sauce

Tossing the pulled chicken in BBQ sauce is a delicious way to enjoy it.

This BBQ sauce is super easy to make and can be prepared while the chicken breasts are resting.

1. Place the Dutch oven (with all the juices from the chicken) on the stove top and heat to medium.
2. Add ¾ cup BBQ sauce, ¼ cup tomato sauce, and 1 tsp. each Worcestershire sauce and Sriracha hot sauce.
3. Stir all of these ingredients together and simmer for 5 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
4. The sauce should reduce a bit as it cooks.
5. Add the pulled chicken back into the Dutch oven and toss until completely coated in the BBQ sauce.

Make sure to use a gluten free brand of BBQ sauce if gluten is an issue for you. I love the Stubb's line of BBQ sauces. They're gluten free and made without high fructose corn syrup.

Love BBQ? Check out these recipes!

• BBQ Sweet Potatoes
• BBQ Turkey Meatballs
• Crockpot BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
• BBQ Chicken Pizza
• Ground Chicken BBQ Sloppy Joes

What To Serve With BBQ Chicken

My favorite way to enjoy this Dutch Oven BBQ Chicken is piled on top of some toasted buns, along with a heaping side of coleslaw and some pickled jalapenos.

1. To prepare this way, simply toast some gluten free buns (or any buns or sandwich bread if not gluten free) and top with desired amount of BBQ chicken.
2. Add some coleslaw on top of the BBQ chicken (check out my recipe for Crunchy Coleslaw here!).
3. Garnish with a couple of pickled jalapeno peppers.

Feel free to serve these sandwiches without the coleslaw and pickled jalapenos if you prefer.

This BBQ chicken is incredibly versatile and can be served any number of ways if you'd rather not add it to a sandwich.

BBQ chicken can be used as a topping for pizza or flatbread, added to a salad, stuffed in a quesadilla, tossed with pasta, or in a wrap.

Love chicken? Don't miss these recipes!

• Chicken Marsala Pasta
• Shredded Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches
• Gluten Free Chicken Parmesan
• Chipotle Chicken Tacos
• Italian Grilled Chicken Sandwich
• Sheet Pan Italian Chicken

How Long Does Pulled Chicken Last In The Fridge?

Any leftover BBQ chicken may be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

Make sure to allow the chicken to cool completely before transferring to the fridge for storage.

Can This Chicken Be Frozen?

BBQ chicken makes a great freezer meal!

How To Freeze

1. Prepare the BBQ chicken as directed and allow to cool completely before transferring to the freezer for storage.
2. Place the chicken into a heavy-duty freezer bag, label with the date, and store up to 3 months in the freezer.

How To Thaw

1. Transfer the freezer bag to the refrigerator 24 hours before use to thaw.
2. Heat the chicken in a small pan on the stove top with a little bit of chicken broth or water until heated through, or heat in the microwave.

Love Dutch oven cooking? Check out these recipes!

• Dutch Oven Chicken and Potatoes
• Red Wine Pot Roast
• Dutch Oven Chicken Noodle Soup
• Italian Short Ribs
• Gluten Free Chicken Stew
• Vegetable Dumpling Stew

Love All Things BBQ? Don't Miss These Recipes!

Slow Cooker BBQ Beef

BBQ Chicken Dip

Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork