Pour the BBQ sauce, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper into your slow cooker bowl. Stir until the brown sugar dissolves completely—I do this by hand because whisks can scratch non-stick surfaces, and this mixture is thick enough that you'll feel the sugar granules disappear under your spoon.

Place both chicken breasts directly into the sauce, turning them once to coat all sides. Push them down so they're mostly submerged because the liquid is what transforms them into BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches family recipe perfection, not the air exposure.

Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours. I always use low because I've learned the hard way that high heat can dry out chicken breast faster than you'd think, even in liquid. Set a phone reminder so you don't forget.

After cooking time, remove the chicken breasts carefully—they'll be falling apart in your tongs, which is exactly what you want. Place them on a cutting board and let them cool for 5 minutes so you don't burn your hands pulling them apart.

Shred the chicken using two forks, pulling in opposite directions until you've got a pile of tender, sauce-coated pieces. This is where my vulnerability shows: I've definitely rushed this step and ended up with chunky pieces instead of proper pulled texture. Don't be me.

Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir it into the remaining sauce. Taste and adjust seasonings—add more salt if it feels flat, or more brown sugar if the vinegar is too sharp. This customization step is why homemade beats store-bought every time.

Toast your hamburger buns with butter over medium heat in a skillet until they're golden at the edges. This takes only 2-3 minutes and prevents them from falling apart when you pile on the filling, which quick BBQ sandwiches absolutely need to survive the first bite.

Build your sandwiches by spooning pulled chicken onto each bun and topping with a small handful of coleslaw mix. The crunch and slight acidity of the slaw cuts through the richness like nothing else can.