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One of the most versatile gadgets in my kitchen has got to be my slow-cooker. It not only brings dinner to the table with minimal effort, but it’s an absolute life-saver on the days when I literally don’t even have a moment for myself to just breathe (which is a LOT of days, and I don’t even have any kids yet!). Another instance my slow-cooker is a life-saver? Game-day!
Seriously, when I’m entertaining and having a gaggle full of friends and family over, one of my go-to slow-cooker dishes is always something that’s involved in the food lineup – as I’m sure it is with you too. That’s why I’ve teamed up with, Oh Sweet Basil, Crème de La Crumb, The Recipe Critic, Sweet Treats and More, Something Swanky and Favorite Family Recipes to bring you some of our best slow-cooker recipes for game day. Hamilton Beach was kind enough to provide slow-cookers for all of us girls, and I have to say, I’m totally smitten with mine!
In our house, messy slow-cooked sandwiches reign supreme, and I think this Blackberry Jalapeno version might be my favorite riff yet. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are covered in a mixture of sliced jalapenos, blackberry preserves, molasses, ketchup and garlic for a unique spin on a classic barbecue chicken sandwich. After about four hours, I pull the meat out, shred it and transfer it back to the pan to soak up all the sweet and spicy juices. I switch the dial to warm so that it’s nice and hot when guests start to pile their plates up. If you guests happen to be arriving early, go ahead and prepare everything the day before, and store the entire vessel in the fridge until about an hour before your guests are set to arrive.
I like to serve each sandwich on a sturdy pretzel roll (you’ll need it for these messy guys!), but a hearty brioche or hard-shelled hoagie would work wonderfully as well. Because I like my sandwiches chock-full of topping, each sandwich is piled high with sliced jalapenos, pepper jack cheese and – my favorite – crispy slices of bacon.
Be sure to check out all of the other mouth-watering slow-cooker recipes below!
- 3½ pounds skinless chicken thighs
- 10 ounces seedless blackberry preserves
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoon molasses
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 3 jalapeños, sliced thin
- 1½ medium onions, sliced thin
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 6 slices pepper jack
- 12 slices bacon, cooked
- 6 pretzel buns
- Season chicken with salt and pepper.
- In a bowl, whisk together preserves, ketchup, vinegar, molasses and salt and mustard. Pour over chicken. Sprinkle with sliced, onion, garlic and jalapeño. Toss to combine everything.
- Turn the slow-cooker on low, and cook for 5-6 hours until the chicken is fork-tender.
- Pile hot chicken on pretzel buns and top with sliced jalapeños, cheese and bacon.
Chicken Fajita Dip~ Sweet Treats and More
Slow Cooker Meatballs– Favorite Family Recipes
Creamy Spinach Dip– Super Healthy Kids
Slow cooker S’mores Brownies– Something Swanky
Chipotle Chiken Taquitos- Creme de la Crumb
California Pizza Kitchen BBQ Chicken Dip– Oh, Sweet Basil
Honey Garlic Glazed Wings – The Recipe Critic
Special thanks to Hamilton Beach for provided slow-cookers!
sunshine says
…sounds divine. Just a note though; in your blurb about the recipe you say “Boneless, skinless ‘chicken breast’ are slow-cooked in a bath of blackberry…” but then in the list of ingredients you list “chicken thighs”. It is supposed to be chicken thighs, right? The combination of ingredients sound scrumptious.
Nicole says
Sorry!! Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. Boneless would work as well!
Jessie says
I made this yesterday and my very picky family LOVED it. That’s something unheard of around here. Usually someone complains. And it was easy to make, which is a must for me. Thank you for sharing this!! I found it on Pinterest and you just got a new reader.
Stephanie B says
Made this today. INCREDIBLE. I was fortunate enough to have my own blackberry jam from a bumper crop, so it was perfectly tart and not too sweet. I also used jalapeños from my garden as well. I am a huge sucker for anything “pulled ” and this didn’t disappoint! I looking forward to using pork next time and making sure I make enough jam next season! Well done, we’ll thought out. I’m picturing leftovers as an omelet filling.
Nicole says
So glad you liked it! I’m jealous of your homemade blackberry jam!!!