There’s something about October that makes me want to put my slow cooker to work. The days are shorter, the air is cooler, and there’s nothing better than coming home to a dinner that’s basically made itself. So this month, I’m joining in on Crocktober — trying a new slow cooker recipe each week and sharing it here, so by the end of the month you’ll have a whole roundup of ones I tested to pick and choose from.
If you’ve been wanting an excuse to pull your crockpot out of the cabinet, this is it. And speaking of crockpots if you’re in the market for a new one – I just ordered this one. Mine was forever years old! CROCKPOT LINK HERE!
Let’s get into the first recipe.
Week 1: Incredible Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
To kick things off, I tried the Incredible Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Sandwiches from Ambitious Kitchen.
This one is about as hands-off as it gets: boneless, skinless chicken thighs go into the slow cooker with a simple homemade sauce — ketchup, BBQ sauce, Worcestershire, apple cider vinegar, a little yellow mustard, cumin, and cayenne — and cook low and slow for 6-7 hours (or on high for about 3). Once the chicken is tender, you shred it right in the pot and let it soak back up all that sauce. It’s topped with a quick cabbage and carrot slaw with cilantro, apple cider vinegar, and a touch of maple syrup — no mayo required — piled onto a hamburger bun.
It’s the kind of recipe that works for a weeknight dinner, but it’s just as good for a potluck or a casual get-together, since you can keep it warm right in the slow cooker until you’re ready to serve.
What stood out:
Truly a dump-and-go recipe — everything goes in the slow cooker at once
The slaw adds a sweet-and-tangy crunch
Leftovers hold up well for a few days, and the chicken works on more than just a bun (salads, wraps, even pizza)
The brioche buns really work well with this!
Recipe credit: Ambitious Kitchen
A little bonus this month: This turned out to be the perfect meal to send home with my son after my grandson spent the day with me, and it gave me an idea. For the rest of Crocktober, every recipe goes home with him.
It reminded me of something I used to wish for back when my own kids were in daycare: a ready-made dinner to grab on the way out the door. After a long day, what a win that would have been. Now, as a grandma, I get to test that idea myself, one slow cooker meal at a time.
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