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So? You guys remember this bread?
From last Tuesday? The 5 ingredient Beer Bread? You might not since that happened to be one of the days (yes DAYS) my site was having major issues, but thank God those issue have been resolved – I hope!
How cute and awesome is that pumpkin beer bottle? I am kind of obsessed with it. I have used it in WAY too many photos, but I just cannot get enough of it.
That little pumpkin gets me every time. I just like staring at it, he (or she!) makes me smile.
And not even because I am going drink it, heck I still can’t even legally buy it!
Nope, I really just like using it to cook with, I also like having that cute little pumpkin face stare back at me while I cook. Thankfully, I have my dad to buy me my booze. He actually said the other day, “you know, for someone who does not even drink you sure go through a lot of alcohol, and not the cheap stuff either”.
Anyway, if you did not see this bread go check it out. It’s a good one and it is especially good served alongside this chicken.
The beer bread recipe was originally my grandmas. The tasty, simple recipes are always the ones with staying power. They are the ones that get passed around and around the family, and this one is no exception. And since today is her birthday this is a great opportunity to thank her for holding on to this and many other family “classics”. Happy Birthday Nonnie!
Basically, this chicken is the easiest tastiest fall meal. Just throw everything in and cook all day. Then make some bread and you are done.
If you want an extra layer of flavor you can brown the chicken before adding it to the crock pot, it does add some pretty good flavor, but if you’re short on time you can totally skip this. Seriously, sometimes I brown the chicken, sometimes I don’t, but either way it is still awesome!
Oh and can I just say, that if you are having a busy/rough/just plain annoying week this is definitely your meal. It is SO easy and so warm and cozy… and so no fuss.
Plus, if you have some people or someone or something who is maybe just slightly getting on your very last nerve (like I do today), this is the meal that’s going to make you feel better. Seriously.
Crockpot Pumpkin Beer Braised Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breast or chicken thighs, I used chicken breast
- 2 andouille sausage links, quartered
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 red peppers, chopped
- 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 (12 ounce) pumpkin beer, or whatever you have on hand or love!
- 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- cooked white or brown rice, for serving
Instructions
- Scatter the onions in the bottom of the crockpot. Add the red peppers, andouille sausage, tomatoes, green chilies, hot sauce, chili powder, paprika, thyme, cayenne, salt and pepper. Add the chicken and beer. Submerge the chicken.
- Cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4 hours.
- 30 minutes before the chicken is done cooking, mix in the cream cheese and stir to combine. Cook on high for 20 to 30 minutes more or until the sauce thickens. If the sauce gets too thick, too fast you may add water or chicken broth to thin. If the sauce is not thickening enough, leave the lid off for 30 minutes.
- Serve with rice, [beer bread | https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/5-ingredient-beer-bread/] and garnish with fresh parsley.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Crockpot Beer Braised Chicken – Problems solved.
I made this for dinner yesterday evening. I really enjoyed it, will definitely make it again.
Thanks so much for your comment, Colleen! So glad to hear this recipe was enjoyed, I appreciate you giving it a try! Xx
Hi! I’ve been making this recipe for years and was surprised to see it changed. Well, I gave it a shot and I was a little disappointed. The cream cheese didn’t thicken it up and added no benefit to flavor. I definitely prefer the old recipe and when adding the cornstarch and water, I always add a huge handful of cilantro for the last 30 minutes. Did you make other changes to this recipe (other than the cream cheese)?
Kelly, I’m trying to reduce dairy and wonder if you could say how the older version differs. It sounds like you used cornstarch and water to thicken rather than cream cheese. Is that the only difference?
Could you use a whole chicken?
Hi Karen,
Sure that should work well for you! Please let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xT
Hi! I am wanting to get this prepped the night before I cook it while at work. Is it ok to add all the ingredients (including the chicken and beer in crockpot) and store in the fridge over night?
Hey Jessica,
I probably wouldn’t recommend that! So sorry! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
You can put everything but the chicken and beer into a ziploc bags and just add everything to the pot in the morning.
Thanks Jackie!
I’ve prepped the night before many times. Works out just great.
What type of red pepper?
Hey Lauren,
Just a basic red bell pepper from the grocery store. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Do you drain the can of tomatoes? Have you/anyone reading this try this recipe with a Pale Ale?
Can’t wait to make this!!
Hey Catherine,
I do not drain the tomatoes, and any beer that you enjoy will work here. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know how it turns out! xTieghan
Hi! I am a very pregnant, soon to be mom and trying to freeze ahead some crock pot meals. Do you think this would be okay to freeze (uncooked) and then thaw and dump in the crock pot later on?
Hey Nicole,
Yes that should work well! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan! I’m a long-time reader and this is my absolute favorite recipe of yours! I make it every Fall just as soon as the temperatures dip into the 60s (that’s chilly here in NC!) I’m wondering if there is a way to adapt this for the Instant Pot? Thanks! 🙂
Hey Molly!! I would cook for 8-10 minutes on high pressure in the instant pot. I have not tested that, BUT I do think it would work well! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I am so glad you love this recipe! Thank you for all the kind words and support over the years! xTieghan
I feel kind of stupid even asking this, but next to the Diced Tomatoes it says 14 and next to the beer it says 12, is this supposed to mean 14 oz of tomatoes? and 12 oz of beer? I don’t want to mess it up!
Hi! It’s 1 (14 ounce) can tomatoes and 1 (12 ounce) beer. So sorry for any confusion. I have fixed the recipe! Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
I have a Bella Cooker (http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1548568/bella-18-qt-stainless-steel-turkey-roaster-oven.jsp). Can I do this for 8 hours at 150? Or do you recommend a different temp?
HI Matt! I am not sure, I am not familiar with this roaster so I really do not know. Sorry I could not help more.
I tried this recipe this weekend. I usually cook one meal and freeze it for dinner for the week (I live solo). It is delicious! I didn’t have all the spices so added extra hot sauce and served with rice. I also made the beer bread, which is my NEW FAVORITE! SO EASY. SO DELICIOUS. Your blog makes me want to cook and have fun in the kitchen again – I was on hiatus 😉 Thanks!
So happy you loved it! Thank you so much Christina!
I made this tonight for dinner and my husband and I both really liked it. I did not think it was at all bland but instead really flavorful. I followed the recipe and used chicken breasts. They were delicious and moist..easy to shred. The only things I did differently was used a can of fire roasted diced tomatoes and some chicken stock along with the pumpkin beer. Was delicious! Definitely making it again. Thanks for the recipe..looking forward to trying your other recipes as well!
I am so happy you and your husband loved this Amy! Thank you!