I’ve definitely had my fair share of salads this summer. I mean, with all the fresh, in-season produce, how can you not?!
Whenever I see heirloom tomatoes or yellow tomatoes, I am immediately drawn to them. I can’t just walk away. I have to pick some up. I picked these up at my local farmer’s market. My favorite way to eat them is by throwing them into a salad or simply slicing them up and eating them with some salad dressing, just plain and nothing else.
I hear though that I have to try a tomato sandwich. Like just fresh, sliced tomatoes, with a little salt, on white bread with mayonnaise. Anyone drooling yet?
The other thing I’ve been doing a lot this summer is using my slow cooker. Slow cooker in the summer? Yes! Maybe not on a day when it’s over 100 degrees, if you get hot weather like that. But hey, don’t forget about your slow cooker! It’s not just for the fall and winter!
I threw in some chicken breasts (you can certainly use boneless thigh meat as well), BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, some Italian dressing and some salt. . 5 ingredients! Can’t beat that! And you’ve got dinner!
Make this salad or make a barbecue pulled chicken sandwich, or serve this over mashed potatoes or mashed cauliflower! The possibilities are endless!
And a delicious dinner is guaranteed every time.
Barbecue Pulled Chicken Salad
Ingredients
For the BBQ chicken:
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 to 1 cup BBQ sauce + more if needed
- 2 to 3 tablespoons Italian dressing
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- salt to taste
For the red cabbage slaw:
- Half head of small red cabbage sliced thin using a mandolin slicer or food processor
- 2 tablespoons good quality extra virgin olive oil + more if needed
- 1 to 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the salad:
- fresh mixed greens
- red and yellow tomatoes sliced into wedges
- light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or Italian dressing
Instructions
For the chicken:
- Place chicken breasts in your slow cooker. Using a small bowl, mix together the BBQ sauce, Italian dressing, Worcestershire sauce and a pinch of salt. Taste and adjust any ingredients as needed. Pour the sauce over the chicken and cook on high for about 4 hours. Remove the chicken from your slow cooker, and using two forks, shred the chicken breasts, and then place the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker for about 30 minutes to absorb the sauce.
For the red cabbage slaw:
- Using a large mixing bowl, toss the shredded red cabbage in the bowl. Drizzle on the olive oil and red wine vinegar and season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss together until the cabbage is nicely coated in the oil and vinegar. Taste and adjust any ingredients as needed.
For the salad:
- To plate: place a handful or two of fresh mixed greens onto your plate and top with some of the barbecue pulled chicken. Arrange tomato wedges around the plate and top with some of the red cabbage slaw. Drizzle on just a touch of EVOO or your favorite light Italian dressing and enjoy!
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken recipe from 40 Aprons.
Johlene@FlavoursandFrosting says
August 12, 2015 at 2:04 amThis salad looks devine! I haven’t used my Crockpot once this Summer but after seeing this recipe I’m tempted to! 🙂
Mir says
August 12, 2015 at 6:42 amI’ve never tried a tomato sandwich, but there was this book I loved as a kid (Harriet the Spy) and she loved them. Now I’m thinking that I’m missing out!
I do know that I love pulled BBQ chicken. It’s so good! And this salad looks like the best way to eat it!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
August 12, 2015 at 7:14 amWe often make pulled chicken for taco night and I always have the leftovers on a salad the next day. Your salad looks beautiful too 🙂
David @ Spiced says
August 12, 2015 at 7:18 amI absolutely love pulled chicken, and we usually put it in tacos. But let’s talk about this tomato sandwich…yes, yes and more yes. I have definitely done that, and it is definitely delicious. Something about just simple, good-quality ingredients…especially in the summer! I love this salad creation, too. Perfect for summer lunches!
Allie | Baking a Moment says
August 12, 2015 at 7:47 amUltimate summer meal right here! Love how simple, and yes- the slow cooker is magic in the summertime. Who wants to fire up the oven or stand over a hot stove??? Not this chick. 😉
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
August 12, 2015 at 7:52 amThis looks awesome, Alice. I’m definitely a fan of the slow cooker in the summer. And yes, go and eat a tomato sandwich! 🙂
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living says
August 12, 2015 at 7:57 amI’ve been buying as many heirloom tomatoes as we can eat this summer – love them! Brilliant idea – would never think to use pulled chicken in a salad.
Heather - Butter & Burlap says
August 12, 2015 at 7:59 amI’ve been all about the tomatoes right now, too! I’ve been eating caprese salad like it’s going out of style, haha! I have to admit, I don’t really pull out that slow-cooker in the summer, I usually let it hibernate until the fall/winter seasons come around, but this salad suggests I better wake that thing up early ;). Great recipe!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
August 12, 2015 at 8:04 amTomato and lettuce sandwiches are MY FAVORITE! I don’t know how they’re so good, but they are!
Now, let’s talk about this pulled chicken and how I want to eat it for dinner every single night this week! YUM! Pinned!
Amy @Very Culinary says
August 12, 2015 at 8:34 amOh, I use my slow cooker all summer long. Maybe even more than the winter. A fresh heirloom tomato salad is the bomb diggity, for sure. BUT I would gladly take some of this salad off your hands, too!
Naomi says
August 12, 2015 at 9:02 amI actually love the slow cooker for summer, it keeps the house from really heating up. Great recipe! And thanks for the reminder, I need to use mine more!
Katalina @ Peas and Peonies says
August 12, 2015 at 11:05 amHey Alice, I love a good barbecue recipe, and this almost deconstructed bbq sandwich salad, is so amazing, great textures and flavors!
Stacey+@+Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
August 12, 2015 at 11:57 amThose tomatoes are so pretty! I can’t resist buying all the different tomatoes in the summer either, they’re just SO good in the summer! This salad looks absolutely delicious!
Maria | Pink Patisserie says
August 12, 2015 at 12:05 pmLooks so delish, and I completely agree with you on the slow cooker. I practically wear mine out in the summer. It’s a perfect way to eat yummy without heating up the house!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
August 12, 2015 at 12:08 pmI have yet to have a tomato and mayo sandwich, myself; though, I have a coworker who eats plain mayo sandwiches and swears by them – he also happens to make mayo biscuits – mayo and flour – thats all – weird eh? But, what’s not weird is this pulled chicken salad! Love that only 5 ingredients go into the slow cooker before this deliciousness emerges!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
August 12, 2015 at 1:25 pmAren’t heirlooms the best? Enjoying them in a simple sandwich with crusty baguette sounds HEAVENLY 🙂
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
August 12, 2015 at 1:26 pmLove this salad, Alice! 5 ingredients AND I get to use the slow cooker for the delicious pulled chicken? I’m in! I have never tried Italian dressing in my bbq sauce, I’m definitely going to be testing that one out! The slaw looks beautiful, delicious and like it pairs wonderfully with everything! This is a great (and easy) summer dinner- can’t beat that! Pinned! Cheers, girl!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
August 12, 2015 at 1:29 pmWow this salad is genius, Alice! I am loving that you added pulled chicken to this dish! Sounds like it gives this such good flavor. Yum!
Sam @ SugarSpunRun says
August 12, 2015 at 1:37 pmTomato sandwiches are my FAVORITE I could eat them every day in the summertime! I love how you used the tomatoes in this recipe, though, what an awesome combination! I could probably eat this everyday, too 🙂
Mary says
August 12, 2015 at 1:44 pmThis seasons heirloom tomatoes have been excellent in California, super sweet, colorful and juicy. I’ve been munching on them all summer. I love this salad, the cabbage will give it a sweet tangy crunch that’s needed with all that yummy chicken and delicious tomatoes. 🙂
Melanie @ Nutritious Eats says
August 12, 2015 at 2:40 pmOh goodness, I am salivating. I’d love to have this waiting for me for dinner. Thanks again for stopping by today- your blog is lovely 🙂
Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom says
August 12, 2015 at 6:28 pmI am such a fan of slow cooker meals year-round! Summer use is great because it keeps the kitchen way cooler than turn the stove on for even 30 minutes! Such a wonderful recipe, Alice. You sure can’t beat 5 ingredients with such flavor impact!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
August 12, 2015 at 7:37 pmUsing the slow cooker is the best in the summer. Love this salad!
Kelly says
August 12, 2015 at 9:44 pmI remember bringing tomato sandwiches to schools every day for two weeks straight after I read this book where the main character did the same thing – it was SO good! Love using the slow cooker all year round especially when there’s only 5 ingredients involved 🙂 This chicken salad looks incredible!
Cathleen @ A Taste Of Madness says
August 12, 2015 at 11:48 pmFor some reason, I haven’t made many salads this summer! This really needs to change! Also, I have never tried pulled chicken! It looks amazing though!
Zainab says
August 13, 2015 at 1:17 amAhhhh the slow cooker. I need to use it more. Thanks for this simple yet delicious recipe. Love that it’s so versatile!!!
Harriet Emily says
August 13, 2015 at 4:51 amBarbecue flavours are the best! They sound especially delicious with this chicken, I love how it’s cooked in a slow cooker! Pairing it with a salad is such a great healthy option too. I can’t get enough of salads at the moment, they’re my favourite thing to make when it’s hot outside!
Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong says
August 13, 2015 at 5:16 amPulled bbq chicken looks supaa delicious!! and love the idea of serving it with the red cabbage slaw.. lovely share!! 🙂
Mike@TheIronYou says
August 13, 2015 at 7:31 amI’m just like you Alice, I LOVE to use the slow cooker during the summer months. I feel it doesn’t heats up the apt as much as the oven does. I have no scientific data to back this up; it is just the way i feel…
BTW this BBQ pulled chicken salad looks soooo incredible!
Mira says
August 13, 2015 at 7:45 amI’ve also had my fair share of salads this summer, but will definitely try this one! Love pulled chicken/pork and have been using my slow cooker all summer long! Pinned!
Sarah | Broma Bakery says
August 13, 2015 at 8:04 amThe heirloom tomato game is strong this week. We just had some as a dinner side simply tossed in evoo and sea salt. Looove the idea of pairing slow cooking with fresh veggies 🙂
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
August 13, 2015 at 9:33 amGirlfriend this looks absolutely sensational! I want some of this!
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says
August 13, 2015 at 10:02 amThat chicken looks so tender and delicious! Totally loving all the fresh goodies that summer has to offer!
amanda says
August 13, 2015 at 4:19 pmThis is such a pretty salad!
Jessica @ Sweetest Menu says
August 13, 2015 at 5:23 pmOoh that looks seriously good Alice! I am really wishing I had this for my work lunch today! Will have to try it sometime!
Linda | Brunch with Joy says
August 13, 2015 at 6:46 pmAlice, I’m in love with all your salad recipes, especially with WHOLE30 ideas. You definitely inspire me to stay more active and that includes running! And heirloom tomatoes…I’m in love!
Passade says
August 14, 2015 at 1:49 amHi Alice, I made this chicken last night and it turned out to be mouth watering! I used 2.5 pounds boneless/skinless chicken things and 2 large chicken breasts. I followed the recipe exactly and it could not have turned out any better. My husband loved it as well!
hipfoodiemom says
August 14, 2015 at 8:03 amHooray!!! Thanks for sharing! So glad you and your husband enjoyed it!!!
marcie says
August 14, 2015 at 11:39 amI’m drawn to heirloom tomatoes and cherry tomatoes, too — I can’t stay away from them! I haven’t used my slow cooker this summer like I usually do for whatever reason, and I need to make some pulled chicken! Great idea topping your salad with it — this looks delicious!
Cakespy says
August 17, 2015 at 9:31 amYESSSSS! This sounds so awesome but also not too heavy. Perfect summer food.