Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork Dinner Bowl Recipe with Crispy Chickpeas
A cozy and easy slow-cooker pulled pork dinner bowl featuring tender, smoky pork and crispy roasted chickpeas, perfect for hearty weeknight meals or family gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 to 10 hours (slow cooker low) or 4 to 6 hours (slow cooker high)
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes to 10 hours 15 minutes (low) or 4 hours 15 minutes to 6 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 lbs pork shoulder or pork butt, trimmed of excess fat
- 1 cup barbecue sauce (smoky, slightly sweet)
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup chicken broth or water
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained, rinsed, and patted dry
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp cumin powder
- Salt, to taste
- 2 cups cooked brown rice or quinoa
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
- 1 avocado, sliced (optional)
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
- Lime wedges for squeezing
Instructions
- Trim excess fat from pork shoulder and pat dry.
- Mix smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper; rub all over pork.
- Place pork in slow cooker; pour barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, chicken broth, and brown sugar over it; coat pork with sauce.
- Cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-6 hours until pork is fall-apart tender.
- About 30 minutes before pork is done, preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss chickpeas with olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, and salt; spread on baking sheet and roast 25-30 minutes, shaking halfway, until crispy.
- Shred cooked pork with forks or meat claws; return to slow cooker and stir into juices.
- Cook chosen grain according to package instructions; shred cabbage and slice avocado.
- Assemble bowls with grain, pulled pork, crispy chickpeas, cabbage, avocado, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
Notes
Pat chickpeas very dry before roasting to ensure crispiness. Trim excess fat from pork to avoid greasy texture. Use apple cider vinegar to tenderize pork and balance sweetness. If pork isn’t shredding easily, cook longer. Store crispy chickpeas separately to maintain crunch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximate)
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 9
- Protein: 45
Keywords: slow cooker, pulled pork, crispy chickpeas, dinner bowl, easy recipe, comfort food, barbecue, family meal