Crock Pot Pulled Chicken: Easy and Delicious Recipe
Are you tired of making the same old chicken dishes for dinner? Want to try something new and extra tasty? Then, why not make pulled chicken crock pot?! It is a great meal to serve for family get-togethers or on busy weeknights when you don’t have much time to cook. With a crock pot, you can cook the chicken slowly and create a tender and juicy dish that will be loved by everyone.
To make pulled chicken crock pot, you need to get some simple and easy-to-find ingredients. You will need chicken breasts, BBQ sauce, chicken stock, and a few seasoning spices. The best part of this recipe is that you don’t need to do any complicated prep work. Simply, dump all the ingredients in the crock pot, set it to cook for a few hours, and then watch magic happen. The result is mouth-watering and finger-licking pulled chicken that will have your taste buds begging for more.
Making Pulled Chicken in a Crockpot: A Step-by-Step Guide
1. Choose the Right Chicken
The first step in making pulled chicken in a crockpot is to select the right chicken. Make sure that you use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, as they are the most ideal for crockpot cooking. You can get around 2-3 pounds of chicken for this recipe.
2. Prepare Your Slow Cooker
Before you start cooking, make sure that your slow cooker is clean and ready to use. Grease the inside of the slow cooker with cooking spray or use a slow cooker liner to make the clean-up easier.
3. Season Your Chicken
Season the chicken with your preferred spices and herbs. Some popular options are paprika, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper. Rub it all over the chicken to ensure that the flavor is evenly distributed.
4. Add In Some Liquid
Add in some liquid to the slow cooker. You can use chicken broth, BBQ sauce, or any sauce that you like. Choose a liquid that complements your seasoning and adds more flavor to the dish.
5. Cook on High for 4 Hours or Low for 8 Hours
Cook on high for four hours or low for eight hours, depending on your time availability. Make sure to check the chicken periodically to ensure it is cooking correctly. Adjust the cooking time accordingly if you need to.
6. Shred the Chicken
After the required cooking time, shred the chicken with two forks, or use a hand mixer to break it down into small pieces. The chicken should be very tender at this point and should shred easily.
7. Add More Seasoning or Sauce
Taste the chicken and add more seasoning or sauce if required. You may also choose to add more liquid to help it stay moist.
8. Cook for another 30 Minutes
Turn the slow cooker back on for another 30 minutes on low, stirring regularly, or until the chicken is hot and the additional seasoning, if any, is evenly distributed.
9. Serve with Your Favorite Sides
Remove the pulled chicken from the crockpot and serve with your preferred sides. You can serve it on a bun with coleslaw or pair it with a side of roasted vegetables.
10. Set Aside Extra for Later
If you made a large batch of pulled chicken, set some aside in individual portions to use later. You can store them in the fridge or freezer for up to 3-4 days. Just make sure to reheat them gently before serving.
In conclusion, making pulled chicken in a crockpot is a simple, stress-free way to add variety to your meals. With some basic ingredients, seasoning, and a bit of patience, you can create a flavorful and satisfying dish that will be enjoyed by all. Try out this recipe and let us know how it went!
10 Tips for Making Perfect Pulled Chicken in a Crock Pot
Preparing delectable pulled chicken in a crock pot is one of the easiest ways to achieve a tasty, healthy, and satisfying meal. This slow-cooker method is incredibly simple, giving you plenty of time to relax and enjoy other activities around the house while dinner takes care of itself. In this section, we’ll share with you our top 10 tips for making perfect pulled chicken in a crock pot, guaranteed to please your family and friends every time.
1. Choose the Right Cut of Chicken:
Choosing the right cut of chicken is essential when cooking in a crock pot. For pulled chicken, it is recommended to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs, which are rich in natural fats that keep the meat moist and flavorful. Chicken breast can be used as well, but thighs are a more forgiving cut and less likely to dry out over long cooking times.
2. Season your Chicken:
Seasoning your chicken is important to maximize its flavor. You can use pre-made seasonings or create your own blend of spices such as paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Rub your chicken with the seasoning and let it marinate for at least an hour to get the full depth of flavors.
3. Use Enough Liquid:
Adding enough liquid to your crock pot is important to keep the chicken from drying out. Adding chicken broth, water, or your favorite BBQ sauce can help keep the meat moist and flavorful. You want the chicken to be submerged in liquid while cooking, but not swimming in it. Aim for about half an inch of liquid in the bottom of the pot.
4. Cook on Low Heat:
Low heat is the key to making perfect pulled chicken in a crock pot. Cooking on high heat will result in dried-out chicken and will not give the chicken sufficient time to break down into tender shreds. Cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
5. Don’t Overcrowd the Crock Pot:
Overcrowding your crock pot can cause uneven cooking and may result in some pieces of chicken being overcooked and others being undercooked. Leave enough space in between the chicken pieces to allow for proper and even cooking.
6. Do Not Lift the Lid:
It is important not to lift the lid while cooking as this will release heat and can also affect the cooking time. Lifting the lid will also make it difficult to maintain the right temperature and can result in dry and overcooked chicken. Trust the process and leave the lid on until it’s time to shred the chicken.
7. Shred the Chicken:
Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove it from the crock pot and shred it with two forks or chop it into small pieces. Be sure to remove any bones and skin if you used those parts. Return the shredded chicken to the crock pot and stir it into the liquid to keep it moist.
8. Adjust Seasoning:
After shredding the chicken, you can adjust the seasoning to taste. Add more salt, pepper, or any other spices as needed. You can also add BBQ sauce at this point, if desired.
9. Let it Rest:
Allow your pulled chicken to rest for about 10-15 minutes before serving. This will allow it to absorb any remaining liquid and let the flavors deepen.
10. Serving Suggestions:
Pulled chicken can be served in various ways, depending on your preference. You can use it to make sandwiches, wraps, tacos, or salads. Serve with a side of coleslaw, pickles, or sweet potatoes for a complete meal.
By following these 10 tips, you’ll be able to make the perfect pulled chicken in a crock pot every time. It’s a hassle-free way to enjoy delicious and healthy meals with minimal effort. So dust off your crock pot and start cooking!
Preparation of the Pulled Chicken Crock Pot
Now that we have the chicken, it’s time to get started on the preparation for the crock pot. There are several things that you should keep in mind when preparing your chicken for the crock pot cooking process. These include:
Choosing the right seasoning
When it comes to seasoning your chicken, you have a lot of options to choose from. You could use a dry rub or you could marinate the chicken overnight. A good dry rub will usually consist of a blend of spices that include paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and some other spices of your choice. Alternatively, you could use a bottled marinade for your chicken.
Cutting the chicken into pieces
Before you go any further, you need to cut the chicken into smaller pieces. This will help the chicken cook evenly in the crock pot. Cutting the chicken is also necessary when you’re using a slow cooker as it may take longer to cook the meat in whole pieces.
Searing the chicken
Searing your chicken is an optional step, but doing so will help your meat to cook more evenly and give it a beautiful look. Searing involves browning the chicken on both sides before transferring it to the crock pot. To sear the chicken, heat up some oil in your skillet, and add some seasoning to the chicken. Cook each side for about 2 to 3 minutes or until it’s golden brown.
Add some liquid to the crock pot
Before adding your chicken to the crock pot, make sure that there is enough liquid in the pot. The liquid will help to keep the chicken moist, and it also helps to transfer the flavors to the meat. You could add chicken broth, water, or any other liquid of your choice that would complement the flavor of your chicken.
Place the chicken in the crock pot
Contrary to the traditional method of cooking pulled chicken in the oven, the crock pot method is much more hands-free. Now that you’ve prepared your chicken, it’s time to put it in the crock pot. Place the chicken pieces in the slow cooker with the breast part facing down. This will also help to prevent the chicken from getting dry as the natural juices will flow through the meat while cooking. Cook the chicken for 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low or until the internal cooking temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Boneless chicken breast | 2 lbs |
| Dry Rub | 2 Tbsp |
| BBQ sauce | ¾ cup |
| Chicken broth | 1 cup |
Now that you have all the information you need to make the perfect pulled chicken crock pot, it’s time to get cooking! Remember to prepare your chicken properly so that it cooks evenly, and you’ll end up with juicy and tender pulled chicken that will be the envy of your friends and family. Happy cooking!
Time to Dig in!
Now, that’s how you make some tasty and juicy pulled chicken crockpot style. It’s perfect for a lazy day at home or when you’re too busy to cook. Just let the crockpot do the work for you! Thank you for reading, and I hope you try this recipe out soon. Don’t forget to visit again for more delicious recipes and helpful tips. Happy cooking!
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