BBQ Chicken Sliders

Ingredients

Brine:

1 1/2 qt. water

1/4 C. packed brown sugar

2 tbsp. salt

1 tbsp. liquid smoke

2 tsp. minced garlic

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

Chicken: 

2lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast halves

1/3 C. liquid smoke

1 1/2 C. hickory smoke-flavored BBQ sauce

16 Slider buns or dinner rolls, split and warmed

Directions

1) In a large bowl, mix brine ingredients, stirring to dissolve brown sugar. Reserve 1 C. brine for cooking chicken; cover and refrigerate. 

2) Place chicken in a large resealable bag; add remaining brine. Seal bag, pressing out as much air as possible; turn to coat chicken. Place in a large bowl; refrigerate 18-24 hours, turning occasionally. 

3) Remove chicken from brine and transfer to a 3-qt. slow cooker; discard brine in bag. Add reserved 1 C. brine and 1/3 C. liquid smoke to chicken. Cook, covered, on low 4-5 hours or until chicken is tender. 

4) Remove chicken; cool slightly. Discard cooking juices. Shred chicken with two forks and return to slow cooker. Stir in BBQ sauce; heat through. Serve on buns. 

Prep: 25 minutes + Brining

Cook: 4 hours

Makes: 8 servings (2 sliders each) 

If you have the time this could also make for a really good party appetizer as well. Depending on how many people you may just need to double up everything if you can. Its definitely a tasty dish.