Slow Cooker Sweet & Spicy Chicken and Beans

Welcome to the world of effortless cooking with our Slow Cooker Sweet & Spicy Chicken and Beans recipe! This dish encapsulates the essence of home-cooked comfort food, merging savory chicken with the hearty goodness of beans and a delightful balance of sweet and spicy flavors. Imagine walking into your home after a long day to the inviting aroma of tender chicken simmering in a rich sauce comfort food at its best! Whether you’re feeding a busy family or hosting friends, this recipe is designed to impress while requiring minimal effort.

Cooking with a slow cooker is not only about convenience; it’s about enhancing the flavors of your ingredients as they meld together over time. The combination of juicy chicken thighs, nutritious beans, and spices creates a dish that’s not just filling but also packed with flavor. Plus, it’s a one-pot meal, which means less cleanup! Perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends, this recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves delicious, hassle-free meals.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The Slow Cooker Sweet & Spicy Chicken and Beans recipe is a delightful concoction that’s sure to become a family favorite. Here’s why you’ll love it:

• Flavor Explosion: The sweet and spicy barbecue sauce combined with honey and spices creates an irresistible flavor that tantalizes your taste buds. Each bite is a perfect balance of sweetness and heat, making it a hit for everyone.
• Easy to Prepare: With just a few minutes of prep time, you can set your slow cooker and let it do the work. No need to babysit the stove just add your ingredients and go about your day!
• Versatile Serving Options: Whether you serve this dish over rice, in a tortilla, or simply in a bowl, it fits perfectly into any meal plan. Add some avocado or a sprinkle of cheese for an even more delicious experience!
• Healthy Ingredients: Packed with protein from the chicken and fiber from the beans, this meal is both nutritious and satisfying. It’s an easy way to incorporate healthy ingredients into your diet without sacrificing flavor.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: Make a big batch and enjoy the leftovers throughout the week. This recipe keeps well in the fridge and even tastes better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.

Why You Should Try This Recipe

If you’re looking for a dish that brings together convenience, flavor, and nutrition, look no further than the Slow Cooker Sweet & Spicy Chicken and Beans. Here are a few compelling reasons to give it a try:

• Time-Saving: In our fast-paced lives, finding the time to cook can be challenging. This recipe allows you to throw everything into the slow cooker in the morning and return to a fully cooked meal. It’s perfect for busy professionals and families.
• Customizable: Not a fan of spicy food? You can easily adjust the heat level by modifying the amount of red pepper flakes or using a milder barbecue sauce. Feel free to add your favorite vegetables or substitute chicken with turkey or beef!
• Cost-Effective: Using budget-friendly ingredients like chicken thighs, beans, and corn makes this recipe easy on the wallet. It’s a wholesome meal that doesn’t break the bank, making it ideal for families or anyone looking to save money on groceries.
• Great for Gatherings: Whether it’s a game night or a family gathering, this dish is sure to please a crowd. Serve it with some warm cornbread or tortilla chips, and you’ll have a table full of happy faces!
• Delicious Leftovers: The flavors of this dish intensify overnight, making it an excellent option for meal prep. Enjoy it for lunch the next day or reheat it for a quick dinner.

Ingredients and Necessary Utensils

To whip up this delightful Slow Cooker Sweet & Spicy Chicken and Beans dish, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup corn (frozen or canned)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro (for garnish, optional)

Utensils Needed:

• Slow cooker
• Medium mixing bowl
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Knife and cutting board
• Two forks (for shredding chicken)
• Serving bowls or plates

Having these utensils ready will ensure a smooth cooking experience. Make sure to rinse and drain the beans thoroughly to avoid excess sodium and improve the texture of the dish.

Detailed Recipe Steps

Now that you have all your ingredients and utensils, let’s dive into the step-by-step process of creating your Slow Cooker Sweet & Spicy Chicken and Beans.

1. Prepare the Chicken: Start by placing the boneless, skinless chicken thighs at the bottom of the slow cooker. This allows them to soak up all the flavors from the other ingredients as they cook.
2. Add Vegetables: Next, layer the diced onion, minced garlic, black beans, kidney beans, and corn on top of the chicken. The layers create a rich base for the dish and ensure even cooking.
3. Mix the Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the barbecue sauce, honey, soy sauce, chili powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir until well mixed. This sauce will be the star of the dish, so make sure it’s well combined.
4. Combine Ingredients: Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken and beans in the slow cooker. Ensure that everything is well covered to enhance the flavor profile.
5. Cook: Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be cooked through and tender. If you’re short on time, the high setting is perfect.
6. Shred Chicken: Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken thighs from the slow cooker and shred them using two forks. Shredding the chicken allows it to mix more thoroughly with the beans and sauce.
7. Serve: Return the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker and stir to combine with the beans and sauce. Ladle the sweet and spicy chicken and beans into bowls. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired for an added touch of flavor.

Pro Tip: For an extra kick, consider adding some diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce mixture before cooking. This will elevate the spice level to your liking!

FAQs

Conclusion

In summary, the Slow Cooker Sweet & Spicy Chicken and Beans is a delightful, easy-to-make dish that brings together flavor, nutrition, and convenience. With minimal preparation and maximum flavor, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your household. We hope you give it a try and enjoy the delicious results! Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments below, and feel free to share this recipe with fellow food lovers. Happy cooking!

For more amazing recipes, check out our collection at Ovia Recipes. For a sweet treat, explore our Pinterest page for inspiration!

Slow Cooker Sweet & Spicy Chicken and Beans

This flavorful slow cooker dish combines tender chicken thighs with hearty beans and a sweet and spicy barbecue sauce for a comforting meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 6 hours hrs

Total Time 6 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Calories 320 kcal

Equipment

• Slow Cooker

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 2 lbs Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 can (15 oz) Black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (15 oz) Kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup Corn (frozen or canned)
• 1 Medium onion, diced
• 4 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 cup Barbecue sauce
• 1/4 cup Honey
• 1 tbsp Soy sauce
• 1 tsp Chili powder
• 1 tsp Cumin
• 1/2 tsp Red pepper flakes Adjust to taste
• to taste Salt and pepper
• Fresh cilantro (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

 

Instructions

• Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs in the bottom of the slow cooker.
• Layer the diced onion, minced garlic, black beans, kidney beans, and corn on top of the chicken.
• In a medium bowl, combine the barbecue sauce, honey, soy sauce, chili powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir until well mixed.
• Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken and beans in the slow cooker.
• Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
• Once cooked, remove the chicken thighs and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker and stir to combine with the beans and sauce.
• Ladle the sweet and spicy chicken and beans into bowls. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.

Notes

Feel free to adjust the level of heat by modifying the amount of red pepper flakes according to your taste.

Keyword beans, chicken, slow cooker