These pulled BBQ Chipotle chicken buns are an easy crowd-pleaser that can be made hotter to taste.  

Pulled BBQ Chipotle chicken buns 

Makes 6 

Ingredients

For the chicken  

Canola or olive oil blend, for frying
800g chicken breasts
Salt and milled pepper 
¼ – ⅓ cup chipotles in adobo sauce
1-2 fresh serrano chillies, finely chopped (for a hotter sauce) 
4 limes, juiced (lemon juice works well, too)
3 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp ground cumin 
1 Tbsp smoked paprika 
2-3 cups chicken stock 
Salt and milled pepper  

For the sauce  

½ cup tomato sauce
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup white wine vinegar
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce 
1 Tbsp smoked paprika  

For serving  

6 burger buns, buttered and toasted
2 cups shredded cabbage (or coleslaw works well too) 
Pickled cucumber or jalapeños (2 medium cucumber + 4 thinly sliced radishes, pickled) 
Coriander 
Mint
Fresh jalapeño or red chilli, chopped (optional)  

Method 

1. Heat oil in a large deep pan or pot.
2. Season chicken well and brown for 3-4 minutes a side. 
3. Lower heat and add sauce ingredients. Season. Cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes. 
4. Remove chicken from pan, cool and shred chicken. Set aside.
5. Bring sauce to a quick simmer and reduce to a tomato sauce consistency.
6. Add chicken to sauce. Season to taste.
7. Top the toasted buns with cabbage, pickles, chicken, herbs and chilli
   just before serving.
8. Add fresh herbs just before serving, sandwich closed and serve.  

Recipes and styling: Liezl Vermeulen 

Photographs: Zhann Solomons 

Also read: Mexican pulled chicken on brinjal steaks