By The recipe Sunday was applesauce barbecue chicken in the slow cooker. Chicken thighs with a sauce of applesauce, ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, mustard, garlic, onion. Slow cooked low for six hours. Shredded into the sauce. Served over rice or on buns.
The recipe is below.
Applesauce Barbecue Chicken
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 6 hours | Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes | Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 4 thighs)
- 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 3/4 cup barbecue sauce (your favorite brand)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Make the sauce. In a medium bowl, stir together the applesauce, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until fully combined.
- Layer the crockpot. Place chicken thighs in a single layer in the bottom of a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker. Pour the sauce over the top, turning the chicken once to coat both sides.
- Cook low and slow. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 3 1/2 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Shred and finish. Use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the crockpot, then stir it into the sauce. Let it sit uncovered for 5 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Serve. Spoon over rice, mashed potatoes, or sandwich rolls. Garnish with sliced green onions or pickled jalapeños if desired.
To Assemble as a Freezer Kit
- Combine all sauce ingredients in a zip-top freezer bag.
- Add raw chicken thighs directly to the bag, press out the air, and seal.
- Label with: “Applesauce BBQ Chicken — Thaw overnight. Dump in crockpot. Cook on LOW 6 hours. Shred and serve.”
- Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in refrigerator overnight before cooking.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 310 | Protein: 32g | Fat: 8g | Carbs: 24g | Fiber: 1g | Sodium: 620mg