Slow-Cooker Cherry Cola Pulled Chicken

There can never be too many delish slow-cooker meals, especially during the school year! This Zevia Cherry Cola Pulled Chicken is sweet with a bit of smoky–pairs well with BBQ sauce or just plain!

This is the time of year when slow-cooker meals dominate our menu. As summer winds down, I will throw everything in the slow-cooker after breakfast and I have the comfort of knowing dinner will be a breeze. Once school starts, the simple recipes are handy for those nights when you have less than 30 minutes to eat dinner before heading out the door again.

Pulled chicken has so many handy uses. This recipe makes a larger batch, so I freeze half for another meal. We had the chicken with bbq sauce on Hawaiian rolls for dinner last night, but it’s perfect for enchiladas, chicken salad with a kick or even burritos! Aside from chicken and cherry cola, I throw in chipotles in adobo and green chiles, so it has a sweet flavor, with a slight smokiness from the chipotles. Although BBQ sauce pairs with it perfectly, you can eat it plain too!

Have you tried Zevia yet? It’s a sugar free “pop” made with Stevia. There are SO many flavors, but my favorites are Dr. Z (like Dr. Pepper), Grapefruit Citrus and Cherry Cola. While they are a bit more expensive than pop, I snag it on sale at either Meijer or Fresh Thyme. Since we don’t drink much pop, it’s a nice treat!

In this recipe, the Cherry Cola is poured on top of the frozen chicken and it’s gives it an amazing sweet flavor. If you’re not able to find Zevia, substitute Dr. Pepper or a cherry cola of choice.

Step One: Spray the slow-cooker with cooking spray. Set heat to LOW and 8-10 hours. Add chopped green chiles and onion. Don’t be intimidated by green chiles, they are VERY mild in spice and have a great flavor!

Step Two: Add frozen chicken thighs & breasts, paprika, garlic powder.

Step Three: Add frozen peaches, cherry cola and chipotle in adobo sauce. Cover and let cook on LOW for 8-10 hours! How easy is that?!

Step Four: Ladle off about 1 cup of liquid from the slow-cooker. Use tongs or a fork to pull the chicken. It should be super easy and falling apart. You can add BBQ sauce or just serve, as is!

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Slow-Cooker Cherry Cola Pulled Chicken

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

8 hrs

Total Time

8 hrs 5 mins

 

Sweet and smoky pulled chicken! Perfect for BBQ sliders, enchiladas, tostadas or chicken salad! The possibilities are endless. Freeze half for later, if you're not feeding a crowd!

Servings: 2 pounds pulled chicken

Ingredients

• 2 pounds of boneless frozen chicken (1 pound breast, 1 pound boneless thigh--or any combo you like)
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 (4 oz) can chopped green chiles
• 1 can Zevia Cherry Cola
• 1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder
• 1 Tablespoon Smoked Paprika
• 1 Tablespoon Chipotle in Adobo sauce (no peppers)
• 1.5 cups frozen peaches
• After cooking: BBQ sauce , optional

Instructions

1. Turn your slow-cooker to low for 8-10 hours. Cover inside pot with cooking spray.
2. Add onions and green chiles to the bottom.
3. Place frozen chicken, then add spices.
4. Slowly pour Zevia cherry cola over chicken, then add peaches and chipotle in adobo sauce.
5. Cover and let cook for 8-10 hours.
6. Once cooked, ladle off 1-1.5 cups of cooking liquid.
7. Shred with tongs or forks. It will be VERY tender.
8. Serve as is, or with BBQ sauce.

Serve on a toasted Hawaiian roll, in a salad, on a tostada…the possibilities are endless!

What are your favorite meals to slow cook? I would love more ideas!