Why You’ll Love these Savory Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
When you’re looking for a satisfying weeknight dinner that doesn’t take hours to prepare, these savory pulled chicken sandwiches are about to become your new best friend.
I’m obsessed with how the fire-roasted tomato sauce mingles with mustard and Worcestershire to create that perfect balance of tangy, smoky goodness.
Using rotisserie chicken is my secret time-saver here—no slow cooking for hours. Just simmer the sauce, fold in your chicken, and in 20 minutes, dinner’s ready.
Top with creamy coleslaw for that delightful crunch contrast. Isn’t it amazing how something so simple can taste like you spent all day cooking?
What Ingredients are in Savory Pulled Chicken Sandwiches?
When I’m craving comfort food that’s quick but still impressive, these pulled chicken sandwiches hit all the right notes. The beauty of this recipe lies in its straightforward ingredient list—mostly pantry staples combined with convenient rotisserie chicken. The fire-roasted tomato cooking sauce forms the flavorful backbone, while the mustard and Worcestershire bring that tangy depth that makes pulled sandwiches so addictive. And who doesn’t love the convenience of grabbing a ready-cooked rotisserie chicken from the store?
- 1 (18 ounce) can Progresso™ Recipe Starters™ fire roasted tomato cooking sauce
- 1/4 cup mustard (appears to be a typo in the original recipe)
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 8 soft hamburger buns, split
- 1 (14 ounce) container prepared coleslaw (optional, but recommended)
If you’re planning to feed a crowd, this recipe scales up beautifully—just double everything and you’re good to go. The coleslaw topping might say “if desired” in the recipe, but trust me, that creamy crunch against the warm, savory chicken creates magic in every bite. For those watching their carbs, you could always serve this delicious pulled chicken over a bed of greens instead of the bun, but honestly, why would you want to miss out on that soft, pillowy bread soaking up all those incredible flavors?
How to Make these Savory Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
Making these pulled chicken sandwiches is surprisingly simple—the kind of recipe that delivers gourmet flavor with minimal effort.
Start by grabbing a 3-quart saucepan and combining the 18-ounce can of Progresso™ Recipe Starters™ fire roasted tomato cooking sauce, 2 tablespoons of yellow mustard (let’s ignore that typo in the ingredient list), 3 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of chili powder. This sauce mixture is where all the magic happens—a perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and savory notes that will transform ordinary chicken into something special.
Once you’ve mixed your sauce ingredients, bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat. When it starts bubbling gently around the edges, it’s time to add those 4 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken. Can we take a moment to appreciate the brilliance of using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken here? Such a time-saver.
After adding the chicken, reduce the heat to medium and let everything simmer together for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This simmering time allows the chicken to soak up all those delicious flavors while the sauce thickens slightly. The kitchen will smell absolutely divine, and I might find myself hovering near the pot, spoon in hand, for “quality control” tastes.
When serving, simply spoon about 1/2 cup of the chicken mixture onto each of your 8 split hamburger buns. The final touch—and what elevates these sandwiches from good to memorable—is topping each with about 2 tablespoons of prepared coleslaw.
The contrast between the warm, saucy chicken and the cool, crisp coleslaw creates the perfect textural balance. If you’re setting up a casual buffet, I recommend serving the chicken mixture in the pot (kept warm) with the buns and coleslaw on the side so everyone can build their own sandwich exactly how they like it.
Savory Pulled Chicken Sandwiches Substitutions and Variations
Although the recipe for these savory pulled chicken sandwiches is delicious as written, I love how flexible it’s for substitutions and personal twists.
Don’t have rotisserie chicken? No problem. Slow-cooked chicken thighs or leftover turkey work beautifully here.
The sauce is where you can really play around—swap the yellow mustard for dijon or honey mustard for a different tang.
Not a fan of traditional coleslaw? Try a vinegar-based slaw, or skip it entirely and add avocado slices instead.
For a spicier version, toss in some cayenne or hot sauce.
Vegetarians in the house? Jackfruit makes a surprisingly convincing stand-in for the pulled chicken.
What to Serve with Savory Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
These savory pulled chicken sandwiches deserve equally delicious sidekicks to round out your meal.
I love serving them with crispy sweet potato fries, which provide the perfect contrast to the tender, saucy chicken. A tangy cucumber salad also works wonders – just toss sliced cucumbers with vinegar, dill, and a touch of sugar.
For something heartier, consider a creamy mac and cheese. The rich, cheesy goodness complements the smoky sandwich flavors.
Got health-conscious guests? A simple green salad with light vinaigrette does the trick.
And honestly, who can resist corn on the cob in summer?
Final Thoughts
When I first discovered this pulled chicken sandwich recipe, I was honestly blown away by how something so delicious could be so straightforward to prepare. The combination of fire-roasted tomato sauce with mustard and Worcestershire creates this perfect tangy-sweet balance that makes my taste buds dance.
I’ve made this for weekend gatherings, quick family dinners, even meal prep for busy weeks. Can you think of a more versatile crowd-pleaser?
What I love most is how easily you can make it your own. Spicier, sweeter, loaded with extra coleslaw—it’s all good.
Simply delicious comfort food at its finest.
Savory Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a 3-quart saucepan, combine the fire roasted tomato cooking sauce, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, and chili powder. Mix well.
- Bring the sauce mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat.
- Add the shredded rotisserie chicken to the simmering sauce.
- Reduce heat to medium and let the mixture simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the chicken to absorb the flavors while the sauce thickens slightly.
- To serve, spoon approximately 1/2 cup of the chicken mixture onto each split hamburger bun.
- Top each sandwich with about 2 tablespoons of prepared coleslaw, if desired.
