Ingredients
Scale
- 4 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
- 1 cup dark (Concord or red) grape juice
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup chicken broth or stock
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together the grape juice, Dijon mustard, chicken broth, minced garlic, dried thyme, kosher salt, and black pepper until the mixture is fully combined and smooth.
- Step 2: Place the chicken thighs evenly in the bottom of a large slow cooker (6-quart recommended). Pour the prepared grape juice and mustard sauce over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well coated.
- Step 3: Cover the slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 6 to 8 hours, or on the HIGH setting for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is fork-tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Step 4: Once cooked, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker. Stir the shredded chicken thoroughly to incorporate it back into the flavorful cooking liquid (the sauce will have thickened slightly).
- Step 5: Allow the shredded chicken to sit in the sauce for an additional 10 minutes on the "Keep Warm" setting to fully absorb the flavors before serving over rice, egg noodles, or mashed potatoes.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, or freeze the shredded chicken and sauce for up to 3 months for easy meal prep.
- When reheating, avoid drying out the chicken by using short bursts in the microwave, or simmer gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of extra chicken broth if the sauce has thickened too much.
- For an elevated plate, serve this savory chicken over creamy polenta, topped with fresh chopped parsley and a sprinkle of crumbled goat cheese to balance the sweetness of the grape juice.
- If you prefer a slightly thicker final sauce, mix one teaspoon of cornstarch with two teaspoons of cold water and whisk the slurry into the cooking liquid during the last 30 minutes of cooking on HIGH.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American