I first had this chicken at Ed’s nephew’s house during an Eagle’s football game, and I knew right away I would be serving it often. We are lucky to have many of my husband’s relatives close by, so we get to socialize quite a bit. While I am technically “the aunt,”  I think of them more as friends than as kinfolk. In addition to being great friends and family, they are fabulous entertainers who give me some of my best ideas. Thanks for this one, Tiff!

This is from the June 2006 Cooking Light magazine, and you can certainly serve it as is with outstanding results. I, however, like to crockpotify almost anything I can get my hands on, so after I post the regular recipe, I will explain how I modify for the crockpot.

Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

Ingredients:

Chicken:

• 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle chile pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs
• Cooking spray

Sauce:

• 2 teaspoons canola oil
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 1 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon molasses
• Remaining ingredients:
• 8 (2-ounce) sandwich rolls, toasted
• 16 hamburger dill chips

Preparation:

• Prepare grill.
• To prepare chicken, combine first 7 ingredients in a small bowl.
• 
• Rub spice mixture evenly over chicken. Place chicken on a grill rack coated with cooking spray; cover and grill 20 minutes or until a thermometer registers 180°, turning occasionally. Let stand for 5 minutes. Shred with 2 forks.
• To prepare sauce, heat canola oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion; cook for 5 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in 2 tablespoons sugar and next 5 ingredients (through pepper); cook 30 seconds. Stir in ketchup, vinegar, and molasses; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes or until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally. Stir in chicken; cook 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
• Place about 1/3 cup chicken mixture on bottom halves of sandwich rolls; top each serving with 2 pickle chips and top roll half.

You’re almost done! Add the barbecue sauce, and keep on lowest setting until serving. The barbecue sauce is very easy to make and has a great flavor, so I highly suggest giving it a try…but I won’t judge you if you use something from a jar!

p.s. I have to apologize for the poor lighting on these pictures. It was a dreary day yesterday, and the natural light was minimal. Looking at them today, they have a bit of a creepy and unappetizing vibe, but trust me, it is a good recipe!