BBQ Chicken Sliders
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 breasts
1/3 cup liquid smoke
1-1/2 cups hickory smoke-flavored barbecue sauce
16 slider buns or dinner rolls, split and warmed
In a large bowl, mix brine ingredients, stirring to dissolve brown sugar. Reserve 1 cup brine for cooking chicken; cover and refrigerate. 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.
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.
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. Makes 8 servings (2 sliders each).
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