Shredded Buffalo Chicken

When SH and I met, one thing we absolutely did NOT have in common was the types of food we ate.
I can sum up his previous eating habits to this: Pop Tarts, buffalo chicken, Ellios pizza and Mountain Dew. That's about it. Did your stomach just churn like mine did? Thought so.

We, eventually, found a handful recipes we both enjoy *enough* to create some sort of meal plan (not going to lie, it's an ongoing battle. I will say that he has gotten so much better about trying and eating new foods, we've both come a long way).

One thing I absolutely loathed, but now kind of love is buffalo chicken. The problem with good buffalo chicken is that it's so bad for you. Fried chicken, slathered in a spicy sauce full of butter is a heart attack waiting to happen.

I've recently been experimenting with making shredded pork and chicken in my crock pot. Inspired by a recipe I saw on Pinterest I decided to make shredded buffalo chicken.

Shredded Buffalo Chicken
The Ingredients

• 4 4oz skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• 15-20 oz low-sodium chicken broth 
• Celery stalk, onion, garlic
• 1/2 - 3/4 cup hot sauce (I like Frank's)

The Instructions

• Add the chicken breasts, broth and vegetables in a crock pot on low heat
• Cook 2 1/2 - 3 hours until chicken shreds easily with two forks (time will vary depending on your crock pot and the thickness of your chicken. Just make sure you don't overcook the chicken or it will become too dry!) 
• Remove chicken and shred
• Keep 1/2 cup of the chicken stock and run it through a sieve (not necessary, but I'm anal like that so I do it)
• Put chicken, stock and hot sauce back into the crock pot and heat on low for an additional 10-15 minutes

That's it! This chicken is so versatile. There are many things you can do: 

• Eat it straight
• Make a Sandwich
• Put inside crescent rolls and bake
• Use in tacos, burritos or quesadillas
• Make a salad
• Freeze it and save it for later

Since I'm on a journey to healthier living, I chose to make salads the last two times I cooked the chicken. They were simple and delicious. 

For this first salad I used lettuce, jasmine rice, celery and a dollop of sour cream (many buffalo chicken lovers would prefer blue cheese).

The second salad I used baby spinach, cucumbers and fresh mozzarella. They were both simple, filling and delicious meals that both SH and I enjoyed!
Do you like buffalo chicken? What would you include in your salad?