Get inspired by how easily you can make two marvelous meals with one batch of chicken from your slow cooker. A scrumptious dinner doesn’t have to be complicated, say hello to your new best friend… Mr. Crockpot.

Easy-Shred Crockpot Chicken

This is an all-around recipe that can be used in several different dishes. It is mildly flavored so you can throw it into Chicken Salad, Stir Fry or my two recipes listed below.

Crockpot Chicken - 2 Ways

 

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Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 6 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (fresh or frozen, they both work nicely)
• 1 tsp. Paprika
• 1 tbsp. Garlic Powder
• 1 tbsp. Onion Powder
• ¼ cup Chicken Broth (optional)
• Salt + Pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Place Chicken in the crockpot and sprinkle with Seasonings. Pour Chicken Broth over Chicken and cook on low, for 6-8 hours. (If using frozen Chicken, Chicken Broth is not necessary.)
2. Remove Chicken with tongs and use two forks to shred. Use immediately or store in a large ziplock bag, refrigerated for up to 3 days. You can also separate Chicken into individual size portions and freeze, in ziplock freezer bags, for up to 2 months.

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NOTES ON THIS RECIPE: 

• I almost always use frozen Chicken when I make a big batch of Crockpot Shredded Chicken. It’s a lot less expensive and practically tastes the same as fresh.
• Want to add a Mexican twist? Skip the spices and pour 1 cup of your favorite green salsa over the chicken before cooking. You can also add a thinly sliced yellow onion for additional flavor. 
• If you’re a fan of spicy goodness, go ahead and add 2 – 3 chipotles in adobo to the slow cooker. Shred the peppers with the chicken and enjoy. 

Crockpot Chicken – 2 Ways

Spicy BBQ Chicken Pizza

Buffalo Chicken Baked Ziti

Spicy BBQ Chicken Pizza

It’s not delivery, it’s not DiGiorno’s, it’s make-your-own, mouth-watering Pizza at home. In less than 20 minutes and with a few simple ingredients, you can skip the frozen aisle and head straight to flavor town.

Ingredients:

• 1 can (8oz) Pillsbury Cresent Dough Sheet
• 4 tbsp BBQ Sauce (Have you tried Trader Joe’s Siracha Garlic BBQ sauce? My fav.)
• 1 cup Chicken, shredded
• 1/4 cup Red Onion, chopped
• 7-8 pickled Jalapenos (for extra heat, use fresh Jalapenos)
• 1 & 1/2 cup Mozzarella Cheese
• 2 tbsp fresh Cilantro, chopped (or more, to your preference)
• Red Pepper Flakes, for garnish (optional)
• Dried Oregano, for garnish (optional)
• Parmesan Cheese, for serving

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. Unroll dough on an ungreased cookie sheet. Press and form the crust to your desired thickness and shape. (This Pillsbury Dough Sheet feeds 2 people nicely and I’d serve it with a side salad.)
3. Bake for 5 minutes, or until the crust is a light golden brown.
4. Take the crust out of the oven and start adding the Pizza toppings. First, cover the dough with BBQ Sauce, then layer the Chicken, Onion, Jalapeno’s and Mozzarella.
5. Place back in the oven for 10-12 minutes longer, or until cheese is melted and starting to brown.
6. Garnish with fresh Cilantro, Red Pepper Flakes and Dried Oregano. Serve with Parmesan Cheese.

Barbecue Chicken Baked Ziti

A stress-free, make-ahead, meal that reheats nicely and tastes phenomenal. It’s cheesy, gooey and simply decadent. Easy-Peasy Baked Spa-Zi-Tee.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups Chicken, shredded
• 12 oz Ziti (or whatever pasta you prefer)
• 8 oz Cream Cheese
• 1/3 cup Barbecue Sauce
• 1 cup Shredded Mozzarella (or cheese of your choice)
• 3/4 cup Blue Cheese Dressing or Ranch
• 1/4 cup Chicken Broth
• 1/2 Onion, chopped
• 1 Garlic Clove, chopped
• 3 sticks Celery, chopped
• 2 Carrots, shredded or chopped
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• Olive oil (for sautéing)
• Green Onions (optional – for garnish)

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, sauté Onion, Celery and Carrots in a little Olive Oil over medium heat. Add Garlic clove last minute of sautéing.
2. Add Cream Cheese, Barbecue Sauce and Chicken Broth to the skillet. Whisk until cheese has melted down and it has turned into a creamy sauce.
3. Add Paprika, Garlic Powder and Blue Cheese dressing, stir to combine.
4. Add Shredded Chicken and allow sauce to simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
6. Cook Ziti according to package directions. Drain and add to skillet. Toss everything until combined.
7. Pour half of the pasta mixture into a greased casserole dish. Top with 1/2 cup of Mozzarella. Pour remaining pasta mixture on top of that and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
8. Bake, covered, in a 425 degrees oven for 15 minutes. Take foil off and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until Mozzarella is bubbly and browning.
9. Serve with Green Onions as a garnish.