Are you craving a healthy, mouthwatering meal that’s easy to prepare? This paleo BBQ chicken is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it meal. Slow-cooked to tender perfection, the BBQ chicken is bursting with flavor, while sweet potato buns keep it grain-free and nutritious. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep, and this delicious combo satisfies your comfort food cravings without sacrificing your clean-eating goals.
I am sharing this recipe with you today because I am a wellness coach who has personally struggled with hormonal imbalances and inflammation issues. By changing what I ate through an anti-inflammatory diet, I was able to balance my hormones and improve my gut health.
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How Can BBQ Chicken Be Paleo-Friendly?
Shredded BBQ chicken can easily be made paleo-friendly with a few mindful ingredient choices. The slow cooker is an ideal tool for creating tender, juicy chicken infused with rich BBQ flavors without added preservatives or unhealthy additives. To keep your BBQ chicken paleo, start by selecting a high-quality, no-antibiotics, free-range chicken.
When it comes to the BBQ sauce, many store-bought versions contain sugars, soy, or other non-paleo ingredients. You could make your own paleo BBQ sauce, but that will take some time if you go that route. Or, I recommend this paleo and Whole30 compliant BBQ sauce. Whatever way you choose to go, you will end up with that classic smoky, tangy BBQ taste without the refined sugars or additives.
By slow cooking the chicken with this clean BBQ sauce, you get tender meat that pairs perfectly with paleo-friendly sides like sweet potato buns, cauliflower rice, or roasted veggies. This approach lets you enjoy a classic comfort food while sticking to the paleo principles of whole, unprocessed, and nutrient-dense ingredients that support overall wellness.
Before we move on, if you are interested in eating an anti-inflammatory diet, go ahead and click the button below to get a FREE Anti-Inflammatory Diet Food List!
Paleo BBQ Shredded Chicken & Sweet Potato Buns Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 2 Tbsp ghee, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp Whole30-compliant hot sauce (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup Whole30-compliant barbecue sauce
For the sweet potato buns:
- 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled
- 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions (optional)
Choose sweet potatoes that are round in the middle, they cut the best rounds for the buns. You can also use the extra ends from each sweet potato! Chop and cook with olive oil, salt, and black pepper in a skillet for an easy side dish the next day for breakfast or lunch.
Instructions
- In a 3 1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker, stir together the ghee, garlic, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken and turn to coat the pieces. Cover and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours.
- Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and discard the cooking liquid. Shred the chicken with two forks then return to the slow cooker. Stir the barbecue sauce into the chicken. Cover and cook on high until heated through, about 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut six 1/2-inch-thick rounds from the widest portion of each sweet potato.
- In a large bowl, toss the sweet potato rounds with the olive oil and salt and place in a single layer on the pan. Bake until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.
- Serve the barbecue chicken on sweet potato buns and top with green onions.
You can also serve the chicken inside of the baked sweet potatoes. I find this easier if I am short on time or if the kids have a lot going on that night. Finally, you can use your Instant Pot instead of the Crock-Pot. Cook the chicken on poultry setting for 30 minutes.
Are you excited to try this paleo BBQ chicken recipe?
Making this BBQ shredded chicken recipe is a flavorful, wholesome way to satisfy your BBQ cravings while staying true to your paleo lifestyle. This easy, slow-cooked recipe combines tender, smoky chicken with naturally sweet, grain-free sweet potato buns for a perfect balance of taste and nutrition. Whether for a quick weeknight dinner or meal prep, it’s a delicious, guilt-free option that’s sure to become a favorite.
More Paleo-friendly Crock-Pot recipes you might like:
