Sweet and Spicy Slow Cooker Chicken

This sweet and spicy slow cooker chicken is beyond easy; the end result is tender chicken, swimming in a sweet and slightly spicy sauce.

Originally posted here, this meal definitely needed an updated picture. And since I manage to include this meal at least monthly in our menu, I figured it was worth another shout out to any who may be unaware such simple gloriousness exists.

Four ingredients, one slow cooker, eight hours of cooking – and you have tender chicken, swimming in a deliciously sweet and slightly spicy sauce that could be used in a myriad of applications.

We prefer this chicken tucked into flour tortillas and smothered with lettuce, sour cream, cheese and avocados. However, it would also be delicious in a salad, as a filling for burritos (perhaps with some beans thrown in there), or with nachos or tortilla chips.

Seriously, tasty.

One Year Ago: Hot Hoagies

Sweet and Spicy Slow Cooker Chicken

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 6 hours hrs

Total Time: 6 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

4.67 stars (3 ratings)

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Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can petite or regular diced tomatoes, undrained
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (see note)

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Instructions 

• Place the chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker. In a small bowl, combine the tomatoes, brown sugar and red pepper flakes. Pour over the chicken. Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 4-6 hours or on low for 8-9 hours.
• Remove the chicken to a cutting board and shred with two forks. Return to the slow cooker and mix the chicken with the juices from the tomato/brown sugar sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve in flour tortillas with toppings of choice: lettuce, sour cream, cheese, avocados, etc.

Notes

Red Pepper: add more if you like extra heat – with 1/4 tsp. it is mild enough for my kids to eat it up but spicy enough to help offset the sweetness

Liquid: leaving the tomatoes undrained makes for a fairly juicy chicken mixture. If you don’t want the finished shredded chicken mixture to be quite as liquidy, slightly drain the tomatoes before using them.

Quantity: also, I nearly always double or triple this recipe because it freezes so well.

Freezable Meal: I freeze the leftovers in a freezer-safe container and let thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving the next day. I reheat over medium-low heat in a saucepan on the stove.

Author: Mel

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Method: Slow Cooker

Serving: 1 Serving, Calories: 233kcal, Carbohydrates: 26g, Protein: 26g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 73mg, Sodium: 279mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 22g

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Recipe Source: originally from Prudence Pennywise

Other Slow Cooker Recipes:

Instant Pot Smoky Honey Cilantro Chicken {Bonus: Slow Cooker Directions}

The Best BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches {Instant Pot or Slow Cooker}

Copycat Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Recipe {Pressure Cooker or Slow Cooker}

Ultimate Beef Stroganoff {Slow Cooker or Instant Pot}