Gameday Appetizers

2 hrs 20 mins - Prep 20 mins / Cook 2 hrs
Intermediate

Smoked pulled chicken is a perfect match for gameday appetizers because you can use it in so many quick recipes. Buffalo chicken dip, nachos, BBQ chicken sliders, tacos and Southwestern eggrolls are some tasty choices.

6-8 Servings

Ingredients

Smoked Pulled Chicken
  • 3 pounds chicken breasts, bone-in, skin-on
  • 1 tablespoon BBQ seasoning
  • apple juice or chicken stock, for spritzing
  • 1/4 cup chicken stock
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 3/4 teaspoon garlic salt
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Preparation

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Step 1 Of 9
1. Make the chicken injection. Heat and stir the injection ingredients in a small pot over medium heat until the butter is melted. Allow to cool for 15-20 minutes.
2. Inject the chicken. Once the butter mix has cooled down, use a meat syringe to inject the mixture into the breasts in several areas.
3. Season the chicken on top and bottom.
4. 4. Build your fire. Carefully 6 stack small wood splits, alternating directions two at a time. Pour half a chimney of hot charcoal on top of the wood. Leave your firebox door (not just the vent/damper) all the way open until the smoker hits 200°F. Shut the firebox door. When the temperature at the grate level reaches 250°F shut the vent/damper to half-way open. Keep nudging the vent closed until you coast up to a cooking temp of 275-290°F.
5. Smoke the chicken. Add the chicken to the smoker and cook the chicken, spraying it with stock or apple juice every 30 minutes. Remove the chicken from the smoker when it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F – about 75 to 90 minutes. Let the chicken rest for 15 minutes.
6. Pull the chicken. Remove the skin (optional). Tear the chicken into chunks or shreds using Oklahoma Joe’s® Meat Shredders and use in your favorite recipes.
A. Mini Tostada Stacks - These flavorful and color-rich stacks are a big hit at parties and tailgates. Mix 3 cups of smoked chicken with 1 ounce of fajita seasoning. Build the stacks using round tortilla chips. Top them with chicken and your favorite ingredients, such as; tomatoes, onion, black olives, jalapenos, cilantro, and shredded cheese. Double stack these, top with one more tostada and more cheese. Cook them on a quarter sheet pan on a 350°F just until the cheese is melted. Top them with some more fresh ingredients and crema.
B. Smoked Chicken Sliders - Pulse 3 cups of smoked chicken in a food processor. Mix ½ cup of mayonnaise with 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon BBQ seasoning, and ¼ teaspoon of celery seed. Stir into the chicken until combined. Add more mayo until you have the consistency that you want. Taste for seasoning and add salt as desired. Serve on slider buns or dinner rolls. A tray of these will never disappoint.
C. Jalapeno Chicken Poppers - Chop up some smoked chicken and mix it with whipped cream cheese and shredded cheese until you have a gooey mixture. Stuff this into halved & seeded jalapenos. Wrap with a strip of thin bacon and smoke at 275°F until bacon is crispy, about 90 minutes.
Up Your Game: How to Monitor Your Smoke
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