HOW TO MAKE BBQ

HOW TO  Make BBQ Chicken Sliders

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 25 min. + brining Cook: 4 hours

MAKES: 8 servings

Ingredients

• BRINE:
• 1-1/2 quarts water
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• CHICKEN:
• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast halves
• 1/3 cup liquid smoke
• 1-1/2 cups hickory smoke-flavored barbecue sauce
• 16 slider buns or dinner rolls, split and warmed

• Directions

  1. In a large bowl, mix brine ingredients, stirring to dissolve brown sugar. Reserve 1 cup brine for cooking chicken; cover and refrigerate.
  2. Place chicken in a large resealable bag; add remaining brine. Seal bag, pressing out as much air as possible; turn to coat chicken. Place in a large bowl; refrigerate 18-24 hours, turning occasionally.
  3. Remove chicken from brine and transfer to a 3-qt. slow cooker; discard brine in bag. Add reserved 1 cup brine and 1/3 cup liquid smoke to chicken. Cook, covered, on low 4-5 hours or until chicken is tender.
  4. Remove chicken; cool slightly. Discard cooking juices. Shred chicken with two forks and return to slow cooker. Stir in barbecue sauce; heat through. Serve on buns. Yield: 8 servings (2 sliders each).