Southern Slow-Cooker Pulled Chicken
Take a trip to New Orleans with this Southern comfort meal.
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
Tip: Plan your prep time so that the polenta will be done just as the slow-cooker mixture is finishing up.
COST PER PLATE: $3.63
Click here for a week’s worth of recipes for your slow cooker!
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup BPA-free canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup all-natural salsa
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup unsalted tomato sauce
- 1 tsp. olive oil
- 1 jalapeño chile pepper, seeded and minced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 cup medium-grind organic yellow cornmeal (TRY: Bob’s Red Mill Medium Grind Cornmeal)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup loosely packed chopped fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
Preparation
- To a 5- or 6-quart slow cooker, add chicken, beans, salsa, broth and tomato sauce. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours.
- About 40 minutes before end of cooking time, prepare polenta: In a medium saucepan on medium, heat oil. Add jalapeño and garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Add 3 cups water. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. In a medium bowl, combine cornmeal and 1 cup water. Pour cornmeal mixture slowly into boiling water in saucepan, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring often, until polenta thickens. Add cheese and black pepper, stirring to melt cheese.
- Remove chicken from slow cooker and place on a cutting board. Using 2 forks, shred chicken into bite size pieces; return to slow cooker and stir in cilantro.
- Divide polenta among serving bowls and top with chicken-bean mixture. Serve with lime wedges.
Nutrition Information
- Serving Size 1 cup chicken mixture and 3/4 cup polenta
- Calories 417
- Carbohydrate Content 43 g
- Cholesterol Content 80 mg
- Fat Content 11 g
- Fiber Content 8 g
- Protein Content 31 g
- Saturated Fat Content 4 g
- Sodium Content 474 mg
- Sugar Content 25 g
- Monounsaturated Fat Content 0 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat Content 0 g