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If you love meals that come together effortlessly yet explode with flavor, you’re in for a treat with the Slow Cooker Awesome Sauce Chicken Recipe. This dish brings together tender, juicy chicken bathed in a vibrant, tangy, sweet, and spicy sauce that slowly seeps into every bite. It’s the kind of recipe that makes your kitchen smell irresistible all day long and leaves everyone asking for seconds. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just want easy weeknight comfort, this recipe truly celebrates the magic of the slow cooker.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting started with this Slow Cooker Awesome Sauce Chicken Recipe is a breeze, thanks to a handful of simple yet powerful ingredients. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in balancing the sauce’s sweet, spicy, and savory notes while ensuring the chicken stays moist and full of flavor.
- 4 large boneless skinless chicken breasts: These form the tender and juicy protein base of the dish, easy to shred once cooked.
- ⅔ cup honey mustard dressing: Adds a subtle sweetness and creamy tang that brings warmth and depth to the sauce.
- ⅔ cup Frank’s hot sauce or wing sauce: Infuses a lively kick of heat and vinegar punch that wakes up the taste buds.
- ⅔ cup thick teriyaki sauce (Sweet Baby Ray’s recommended): Provides a rich, umami-sweet layer with a beautiful glaze-like texture that coats the chicken beautifully.
- Salt and black pepper to taste: Simple seasonings to enhance the natural chicken flavor and balance the sauce’s complexity.
How to Make Slow Cooker Awesome Sauce Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Begin by spraying your 6-quart crock pot with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the chicken breasts in an even layer inside the slow cooker and season them well with salt and black pepper. This step ensures your chicken starts with a well-rounded base flavor that’s essential for a delicious finished dish.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Awesome Sauce
In a medium bowl, combine the honey mustard dressing, Frank’s hot sauce, and thick teriyaki sauce. Whisk them together until the mixture is smooth and well blended. This sauce is the true star of the recipe, expertly balancing sweet, tangy, and spicy notes that will soak deeply into the chicken as it cooks.
Step 3: Pour and Cook Low and Slow
Pour the combined sauce evenly over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Cover with the lid and set your slow cooker to LOW for 4 to 6 hours. This low and slow cooking method lets the flavors develop fully while keeping the chicken incredibly tender and juicy, perfect for shredding later.
Step 4: Shred and Toss in Sauce
Once the cooking time has elapsed, remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker and shred them using two forks, a standing mixer, or even a hand mixer for quick results. Return the shredded chicken to the crock pot and stir it thoroughly in the flavorful sauce, ensuring every bite is well-coated and bursting with taste.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Awesome Sauce Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra pop of freshness and color, sprinkle chopped green onions, fresh cilantro, or a handful of toasted sesame seeds over the chicken just before serving. These garnishes add a delightful crunch and brightness that elevate the dish beautifully.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs wonderfully with steamed jasmine rice, fluffy quinoa, or buttery mashed potatoes to soak up the luscious sauce. For a lighter option, serve alongside a crisp green salad or roasted seasonal vegetables, balancing richness with fresh and vibrant textures.
Creative Ways to Present
Feeling adventurous? Serve the Slow Cooker Awesome Sauce Chicken Recipe piled high on soft slider buns for irresistible chicken sliders, or use it as a flavorful filling for tacos topped with creamy avocado and crunchy slaw. The versatility of this dish means you can easily customize it to your next gathering or family meal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The sauce clings tightly to the shredded chicken, so reheated portions retain phenomenal flavor. Simply warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.
Freezing
If you want to save time on busy days, this chicken freezes beautifully. Portion into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently, stirring occasionally to re-incorporate the sauce.
Reheating
Reheat your stored Slow Cooker Awesome Sauce Chicken Recipe over low heat on the stovetop, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. You can also microwave in short bursts, covered, until warmed through. Adding a splash of water or broth helps maintain saucy moisture.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs work wonderfully in this recipe and can add extra juiciness and flavor. Just adjust cooking time slightly if needed since thighs may cook a bit faster or slower depending on size.
Is this recipe very spicy?
The heat level depends largely on the hot sauce you choose. Frank’s Original hot sauce adds a mild to medium spice, but you can dial it up or down according to your taste preferences by selecting a milder wing sauce or adding extra for more kick.
Can I double or halve the recipe?
Yes, scaling the Slow Cooker Awesome Sauce Chicken Recipe is simple. Just adjust all the ingredient quantities proportionally and use an appropriately sized slow cooker. Cooking times stay mostly the same, but always check chicken for doneness.
What can I substitute for honey mustard dressing?
If you don’t have honey mustard dressing on hand, you can mix equal parts mustard and honey as a quick substitute. It won’t be exactly the same but will bring similar sweetness and tanginess to the sauce.
Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot?
This recipe is designed for slow cooking, but you can adapt it for the Instant Pot by using the sauté function to mix the sauce and then pressure cooking the chicken breasts for about 10-12 minutes with natural pressure release. Be sure to shred and toss in sauce before serving.
Final Thoughts
From its simple ingredients to its effortless prep, the Slow Cooker Awesome Sauce Chicken Recipe is a wonderful go-to that never fails to impress. Its rich, vibrant flavors and tender texture deliver comfort food magic in every bite. I can’t wait for you to try this recipe and make it your own family favorite—it’s that kind of dish that warms the heart and nourishes the soul.
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Slow Cooker Awesome Sauce Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
This Slow Cooker Awesome Sauce Chicken recipe features tender, flavorful chicken breasts cooked low and slow with a tangy blend of honey mustard, hot sauce, and teriyaki sauce. Perfect for an easy weeknight meal, this dish delivers a deliciously balanced sweet, spicy, and savory sauce that coats shredded chicken, making it versatile for sandwiches, salads, or a main entree.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
Sauce
- ⅔ cup honey mustard dressing
- ⅔ cup Frank’s hot sauce or wing sauce
- ⅔ cup thick teriyaki sauce (e.g. Sweet Baby Ray’s)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker: Spray the inside of a 6-quart slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the chicken breasts inside and season them with salt and black pepper according to your taste preference.
- Mix the sauce: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together honey mustard dressing, Frank’s hot sauce (or wing sauce), and thick teriyaki sauce until well combined. This mixture will be your flavorful cooking sauce.
- Combine and cook: Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the seasoned chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Cover with the lid and cook on the LOW setting for 4 to 6 hours, allowing the chicken to become tender and absorb the flavors.
- Shred the chicken: Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker. Using two forks, a standing mixer, or a hand mixer, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces for easy serving.
- Mix shredded chicken with sauce: Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and thoroughly toss it in the remaining sauce. This ensures every bite is coated with the awesome sauce, ready to serve.
Notes
- You can adjust the spiciness by varying the amount or type of hot sauce used.
- Serve shredded chicken on buns for sandwiches, over rice, or with steamed vegetables.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be frozen for longer storage.
- Using a thick teriyaki sauce provides a better consistency; thin sauces might make the dish watery.
- For a dairy-free version, check the ingredients in your honey mustard dressing or make a homemade alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
