Description
Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Sandwiches are a flavorful and easy-to-make meal, featuring tender chicken thighs cooked with Italian seasoning, pepperoncini, and giardiniera. Served on toasted hoagie buns with melted provolone cheese and pickled toppings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ medium yellow onion, sliced
- 1½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 8 ounces pepperoncini slices
- ⅓ cup pepperoncini brine (from the jar)
- 8 ounces chopped giardiniera, drained and rinsed (mild recommended)
- 8 hoagie buns
- Provolone cheese slices
- Additional chopped giardiniera (mild)
- Additional pepperoncini slices
Instructions
- Season both sides of the chicken thighs evenly with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs and cook until golden brown, about 4 to 5 minutes. Add the sliced onions and stir gently. Flip the chicken and brown the other side for another 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to the slow cooker.
- Sprinkle Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder over the chicken. Add chicken broth, pepperoncini slices, brine, and giardiniera. Stir gently to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours until the chicken is tender.
- Transfer the chicken to a sheet pan and shred with two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and mix.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Split the hoagie buns and toast in the oven for about 5 minutes.
- Place provolone cheese slices on the bottom half of each bun. Spoon the shredded chicken mixture on top, add additional toppings, and cover with the top bun. Serve immediately.
Notes
- You can adjust the level of spiciness by choosing different giardiniera. <li.Browning the chicken is optional but enhances the flavor.
- Keep the shredded chicken warm while preparing the buns.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 509
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1100 mg
- Fat: 18.3 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 46.7 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg