Description
A delicious and easy Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken recipe featuring a creamy 5-ingredient peanut sauce. This dish combines tender shredded chicken with vibrant vegetables and a flavorful, smooth peanut dressing, perfect for a healthy and satisfying weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Peanut Sauce
- ⅓ cup natural peanut butter (at room temperature or melted)
- 1 garlic clove (finely grated or minced)
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 4 tablespoons low-sodium (gluten-free tamari or soy sauce)
- 4 tablespoons rice vinegar or fresh lime juice
- ⅓ cup warm water
- Hot sauce to taste
Main Dish
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cups sliced red bell pepper
- Chopped green onion, cilantro, and additional hot sauce for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Make Peanut Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together peanut butter, garlic, maple syrup, tamari, rice vinegar or lime juice, and warm water until very smooth. Alternatively, blend all ingredients until smooth using a blender.
- Cook Chicken: Place the chicken and ⅓ cup of the peanut sauce into a 6-quart slow cooker. Reserve the remaining sauce. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 4-5 hours until chicken shreds easily with a fork, being careful not to overcook to avoid dryness.
- Shred Chicken: Remove the chicken from the slow cooker, shred or chop into pieces, and set aside.
- Cook Vegetables: Add broccoli florets and sliced red bell pepper to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 20-30 minutes until the vegetables are just tender.
- Combine Ingredients: Carefully drain half of the cooking liquid. Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker along with the reserved peanut sauce, stirring gently to coat everything evenly.
- Serve: Alternatively, toss chicken and vegetables with the reserved cooking liquid. Serve with remaining peanut sauce drizzled over or on the side. Garnish with chopped cilantro, green onion, and hot sauce if desired.
Notes
- This recipe can be prepped quickly and slow cooked for effortless meal preparation.
- Be careful not to overcook chicken to keep it moist and tender.
- Adjust the hot sauce quantity to your preferred spice level.
- Serve with rice or noodles for a complete meal.
- Gluten-free options available by using tamari instead of soy sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 509 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 97 mg
