Friday, February 8, 2013

"Hoppy" Slow Cooked BBQ Pulled Chicken (5 simple ingredients!)

I know the Super Bowl is over.....






but let's be honest, sporting events are happening every day and there is always an excuse to get out the meat, beer, and BBQ sauce!  This weekend, as you sip on a nice cold beer (if in fact you like beer) think about how delicious it would taste in your BBQ recipe!




Looks good....right?!


It was.

In fact, it was amazing.  And the best part about this recipe was that is was as easy as 1, 2, 3.  Literally; put the chicken in the slow-cooker, add four ingredients, turn it on, and wait (ok, was that four steps?).  






So what made me think to add beer to my slow cooker chicken?  I was perusing blogs one day and came across this recipe on Tiff's blog.  She used BEER in the slow-cooker, and I started to drool, seriously, all over the place.  I love beer, and I love my slow-cooker.  Ok, so maybe "beer in the slow-cooker" has been done before, but this was new to me (I mean, I am a newbie to the slow-cooker, and still learning....).  She used 4-ounces of beer in her recipe, but I thought...why not more?!  And so, here is what I came up with.


"Hoppy" Slow-Cooked BBQ Pulled Chicken
Serves 6

Ingredients
6 frozen chicken breasts (find in your grocers freezer, I used a favorite Organic brand)
6 ounces BBQ sauce (approximately)
1/4th cup maple syrup
2 Tbsp. liquid smoke
12 ounces of your favorite light beer 

Directions
Add all ingredients together in the slow-cooker, and cook on low for 6-7 hours (or high for 3-4 hours).  Turn off the slow-cooker and use two forks to shred the chicken in the slow cooker.

Use a slotted spoon to remove the chicken without making a juicy mess.

Enjoy.  You will.



Estimated Nutrition Facts for 1/6th of recipe (~3/4th cup)


Nutrition Highlights:  Ok, there aren't many nutrition highlights, but if you compare this to any restaurant's pulled/shredded chicken I'd bet my life it's lower in calories, fat, and sodium (especially sodium!).  If you want this to be a more "complete" meat, serve it with whole grain bread for some fiber, or on top of brown rice.  Add some veggies too, to create a balanced plate.


.
CREATE YOUR PLATE! Chicken for protein, broccoli (our household's veggie of choice) for vegetable, extra veggies for the "Fruit" (because there is less sugar and typically more fiber in vegetables anyway), brown rice or whole grain bread for the grain, and a glass of milk or a slice of cheese for the dairy (or you can have some soy or almond milk, because let's be honest, you don't need dairy)


 Instagram!  Are you on it? Follow me at "The Candid RD"



QUESTION:  Ok creative readers, how would you be unique and eat this shredded chicken other than on sandwiches??  Tell me your ideas in the comment section!


What are you doing this weekend? Anything exciting?  Nick and I are not doing much, mainly because I work all weekend (this is what I get for taking last weekend off! It's always worth it though).


Thanks for reading!

The Candid Rd
NOTE: I love comments!  But, be sure to come back to read any replies to questions or comments, as they do not go directly to your e-mail.

6 comments :

  1. This sounds delicious! I would probably eat it on top of a salad.

    It's the start of San Francisco Beer Week today, and we are going to a few events this weekend.

    Have a great weekend!

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  2. I am not a fan of beer (I KNOW!!) but I do love a bbq beer butt chicken in the summer so I think using it in the crock would work wonderfully! Will have to remember this trick.

    I bet this chicken would be good rolled up in a tortilla with lettuce, shredded cheese, etc... ;)

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  3. Why NOT more beer, lol? :P Seriously, though, this looks fantastic! I keep seeing all these incredibly good slow cooker recipes, and that's like the one kitchen appliance we don't have! I love pulled pork, though, and I want to try your recipe in a regular pot. We love pulled pork in baked beans, yum :)

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    Replies
    1. haha, yes, MORE beer! If you try this is a non slow-cooker, let me know, I'd like to know if it turns out! I know so many people don't own slow cookers, so that would make this recipe more special :)

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  4. yum! i love crockpots. i said that like brick from anchorman 'i love lamp' hahaha anyways - i haven't had pulled chicken in so long! the last time i made it with dino bbq sauce and it was delicious. i kind of want that right now..

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