Monday, March 21, 2011

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!

43 comments:

  1. Looks like it was a beautiful show. Liv is very talented, indeed! This sandwich will be great for my son. He will be home from college this weekend.

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  2. WOW! what an incredible dancer your daughter is. Lovely photos. Sorry but the cooking takes second place here ... how do you compete with that? ... you don't ... you must be so proud.

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  3. Looks like a wonderfully energetic show. I'm sure your little girl rocked it!

    Ah, the slow cooker. The magical pot you toss things in and out comes a meal. How I love it! This chicken looks delicious - I can't wait to try it!

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  4. Congratulations on a very successful weekend. I am exhausted just reading about it. I really should use my slow cooker more than I do. This looks like a wonderful meal and, as always, your photos are beautiful and inviting me to just reach out and grab the food.

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  5. Liv is such a talented dancer already. i see many more awards and competition in your future. As for the chicken, it sounds like a winner as well.
    Bravo to the Kelly girls, one on the dance floor, and the other in the kitchen.:)

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  6. Beautiful blog! wanted to appreciate your blog with the lovely blog award: http://theaddictedbaker.blogspot.com/2011/03/and-award-goes-to.html

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  7. Wow! Gorgeous split leap by Liv! Wow! Gorgeous chicken sandwiches by Kim! What a talented family you are.

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  8. What a spicy buffalo chicken it is. I am gonna make it tonight with my new slow cooker.
    -Slow Cooker

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  9. I seriously don't know how you manage to cook and blog and then travel and attend and support Liv's dancing! Obviously, the support of Liv's dancing is the most important point, but you still manage to come up with fabulous recipes!

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  10. You have such a beautiful and talented daughter! You must be very proud:) I would love coming home to one of the sandwiches, they look and sound mouthwatering!

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  11. Bravo Liv!! Just reading that part about you watching her, brought tears to my eyes because I can only imagine the pride that you felt in your heart. I look forward to having those moments with my daughter when she gets a bit older. :)

    I love that you added a slow cooker recipe... this one is definitely a keeper because that sandwich is making me hungry!

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  12. First of all Liv is so beautiful...you must be so proud of her!!!
    And your Sandwich is just calling my name, really delicious, and your photos are just amazing!

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  13. Glad to hear it went well!

    The chicken looks delicious... I love a good slow cooker meal!

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  14. Yum! These sandwiches look so tasty!

    And what great photos from Liv's performance! You can see that she's truly enjoying herself. :)

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  15. I was never that graceful, Liz is such an awesome dancer.

    BTW, those sandwiches are making me very hungry.

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  16. These sandwiches look so yummy, and I like how the sauce color doesn't overshadow the chicken!

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  17. You must be SO proud! I'm sure the pictures only capture a little bit of all the talent your daughter has..what an amazing accomplishment! & as for the sandwich..I am a vegetarian but this is definitely something I will be making for my boyfriend. He LOVES buffalo chicken and it's great for the nights I work late! Thanks for the great recipe and good luck to your daughter in the future! :)

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  18. Congratulations Liv! Such an amazing accomplishment, and those chicken sandwiches look well worth the wait in the slow cooker. I've found most slow cooker recipes are that way.

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  19. Wow! What a fantastic family weekend! Congats to your Liv ... she looked stellar in the photos! Your chicken sliders look awesome too!

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  20. This looks good...I'm pretty sure I heard my tummy grumble. :) Wonderful pics!

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  21. WOW! GO LIV!!!!

    I am not her mama, but I am tearing up, too! I am sure she was phenomenal!! Glad the husband was there to make it! What a great read!

    LOVE these sandwiches!! I read the title and started drooling...tmi i know hehe :)

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  22. Great Job Liv!! I can just imagine how proud you are Mom, sounds like she is one very talented girl, and absolutely beautiful too! Those sandwich's sound good, I can see the men in my life loving this!

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  23. Kim, seeing that first picture of Liv, I felt the pride. Way to go, Liv, for the awesome talent and to you, Kim, for being a great, supportive mom. It's a team effort.

    I bet the chicken sandwiches were so delish--It's Spring and I haven't pulled out my slow cooker out of the cabinet once this season!

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  24. Awesome job Liv!!! Well done on the sammies too. I actually made these and posted them awhile back. Someone said they would be really good with blue cheese dressing. I need to make these again for sure.

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  25. Wow! Your daughter did so well...that picture is seriously impressive! These sandwiches also look awesome...there is nothing better than easy meals in the crockpot after busy days. This one is definitely a winner :)

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  26. So glad to hear your daughter did well! Her costume is adorable! The sandwiches look delicious - I love chicken in the slow cooker!

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  27. Your daughter is so talented and just beautiful! :)
    I LOVE buffalo sauce and these sandwiches look incredible. I'm definitely bookmarking this recipe. It sounds sooo good.

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  28. Mmmm I'm going to make this on Sunday, looks incredible! Your daughter is beautiful!!

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  29. This recipe is an instant classic - I am seriously drooling.

    Can't wait to give it a try.

    And I think your daughter might be an instant star - will we be seeing her on 'So You Think You Can Dance' this summer? I think she could take home the title.

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  30. Love the slow cooker. Set it and forget it. And the house smells good!

    Congrats and it looks to me like there is quite a bit of talent there.

    Jason

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  31. Congrats on the show--what a talent she is! These sandwiches look like the perfect easy, delicious pick-me-up meal for a long, tiring week. ;-)

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  32. LOVE the shots of your daughter! I'm sure you are a proud mom :-) My 9 yo just found out she got the part she REALLY wanted in the school musical and she is SO excited, so I am a proud mom too :-) Your recipe looks wonderful. I am eagerly awaiting the "release' of Udi's gluten free hamburger buns in April. This will be a great recipe to try with them!

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  33. How fun! How did you know we love buffalo chicken? This looks like a dish we could easily whip up.. Im sending it to MM so its on his mind :)

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  34. Liv is so gorgeous! Congrats on the 2nd place! Can't wait to hear how well they do in a couple of weeks!

    These sandwiches sound awesome! Sometimes I just love letting the slow cooker do it's thing!

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  35. I love the pictures of your daughter...you must be so proud! :) I love slow cooker meals, I am definitely trying this for dinner next week! :)

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  36. I've been craving buffalo chicken sandwiches. This looks so good!

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  37. Congratulations to Liv! I think there is nothing more satisfying then watching your children perform. It always makes me very emotional as well.

    These sandwiches sound great. I love those "set it and forget it" kind of meals, especially when I have a busy day. Love the flavors in this one :o)

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  38. Wow, those pictures of Liv are priceless. I wish I could see her perform live. Let me know if she ever hits NC!

    This sandwich is awesome. Not doing the dishes right away; even more so.

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  39. This sandwich looks amazing. Your daughter must be so proud of you and your lovely blog.

    Your daughter looks terrific on stage. So glad to hear she rocked the performance. You must be so very proud of her. :)

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  41. Oh my goodness. I am making this today. Thanks for the recipe!

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  42. Your daughter is beautiful, and a dancer!! My little one (6) is a dancer as well, I see what I have to look forward to! Sometimes being a mom rocks!! Love that first photo of her leap...wow! As soon as I saw Buffalo, my mouth watered! YUM!!

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  43. Oh...those look fabulous. I got a recipe from someone that is so good and crazy easy...like these...but the only thing you cook the pork in is root beer. Yup...everyone loves them though!

    http://www.thehinzadventures.com/2012/01/slow-cooker-pulled-pork-sandwiches.html

    xoxo from Trinidad

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