Slow-Cooker Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches

After a total of nearly 18 hours at the theater in two days, Liv and I returned home Saturday night around midnight utterly exhausted.  Our girls rocked the stage!!  I saw most of her solo through my tears of emotion, but what I saw was enough to know that she had done well.  My husband had flown across the country and made it just in time to see her take the stage.  My dad called my mom in rehab (hip replacement) so she could listen on the cell phone and the laughter and applause from the audience was carried across the Verizon phone network to her little room 30 miles away, bringing tears to her eyes as well.  An hour later as they announced awards we were thrilled to hear she scored well that evening and received a second in her category. 

Liv's Solo - she dances to Sarah Jessica Parker's "Shy" from Once Upon a Mattress

The next day had us heading back to the theater for the group numbers where the girls once again lit up the stage.  I feel a bit of "ownership" for each of the girls and my heart was bursting with pride as I sat behind an older couple during the small group tap number and listened to them laugh out loud, comment that they loved the costumes and say that this was one of the best numbers they had seen all day.  Yep... those were MY girls!

In less than two weeks we get to head out and do it all over again.  Liv is ready to start packing her bags!!

With both Liv and myself a bit limp the following day we spent a good amount of time sitting on the couch watching tv together.  My son joined us for a while and soon our stomachs were grumbling.  With Daddy back on the travel road, I had earlier turned to the slow cooker, filling it with chicken, onions and spices and let it "do its thing" while we got our energy back.

Before I knew it the house was aromatic and dinner was ready.  Tender chicken was shredded and returned to the somewhat spicy tomato based sauce flavored with Frank's RedHot Sauce, cider vinegar, and garlic.  Served with a bowl of sliced oranges and a side of slaw we all enjoyed the meal and decided to leave the dishes for the next day.  An early night was had by all...

Slow-Cooker Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches

adapted from Everyday Food

1 Tbs olive oil

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2 1/2 inch chunks

coarse salt and ground pepper
1 large onion, coarsely diced
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes
generous 1/4 cup hot-pepper sauce (such as Frank's)
3 Tbs Worcestershire Sauce
1 Tbs cider vinegar
2 Tbs yellow mustard
1 Tbs unsulfured molasses
handful of cilantro
8 hamburger buns


In a large skilled, heat oil over medium high.  Add the chicken and season with salt and pepper. Brown the chicken until the meat is a golden brown, about 4-5 minutes.  With a slotted spoon transfer the chicken to a slow cooker.

To the skillet add the onion and sautee over medium heat until translucent, about 6 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper and transfer to the slow cooker.

To the slow cooker add the crushed tomatoes, hot-pepper sauce, Worcestershire, cider vinegar, mustard and molasses.  Stir to combine.  Cover and cook on high until the chicken is very tender, about 4 hours.  Shred the chicken and taste.  Adjust salt and pepper if necessary and add the cayenne if desired.  Stir in cilantro.   Serve on buns.

We also enjoyed the chicken over rice!

Edited to note Ang's recommendation to add a bit of blue cheese to the sandwich.  We'll definitely be giving that try next time we make these.  Thanks Ang!