Pulled BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

As mentioned in other posts, my husband loves barbecue flavored anything. I came across this recipe by Ellie Krieger on the Food Network. I read through the recipe and had all but two ingredients. I was missing a rotisserie chicken and liquid smoke. Have you ever heard of liquid smoke? I had not and was getting ready to google "substitutes for liquid smoke", but ended up googling "where to buy liquid smoke" and surprisingly saw many results that said it is in the grocery store near the ketchup, marinades, etc. Since it was getting late I decided I would head off to the store to pick up a rotisserie chicken and some liquid smoke. Low and behold, there it was; right where Mr. Google Foodie said it would be.

You could certainly use chicken breast in this recipe vs. the rotisserie chicken. Actually, I think it would be easier! It takes a little while to take off the skin and then shred the rotisserie chicken. It is also quite messy. I could have cooked some chicken breast and then pulled it apart with a fork and ended up with the same result.

Before moving on I should inform you of what liquid smoke is. Simply, it is condensed smoke turned into a liquid that is supposed to add a nice smoky flavor to dishes. Read all about it on wikepedia. I read a few articles about liquid smoke that provided many varied opinions of it. The key takeaway after reading about it was the warning of not to use too much as it can totally ruin a dish. I did not. I used the recommended amount because I was not familiar with it. I was not wowed by it.

I thought this dish was o.k. I honestly don't think the liquid smoke added anything. I could have got a deeper smoky flavor using canned chipotles or any type of a smoky chili powder or smoked paprika. My first impression of this was that it was very tomatoey, not BBQey. When I had some the next day for lunch I tweaked it with a dab or two of a smoky hot sauce. That helped as well as the flavors had more time to come together. I don't know if my husband was just being super nice, but he kept raving about it. I think for me, the flavor was off as I was thinking BBQ, but not tasting it. This recipe did give me, though, some additional ideas of what to do with chicken besides the basics of grilling it up.

Pulled BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
adapted from Ellie Krieger
(Printable Recipe)

Makes 6 Sandwiches

1 tablespoon canola oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (14-ounce) can low-sodium tomato sauce (I used regular)
1/4 cup tomato paste
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
5 tablespoons molasses (you could sub with brown sugar; about 3 3/4 Tbsp )
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
1 whole rotisserie chicken, skin removed, meat shredded into thin strips (about 4 to 4 1/2 cups)
6 rolls and lettuce leaves

Heat the oil in a large saute pan over a medium heat. Add the onions and cook until they are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more.

Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, vinegar, molasses, pepper and liquid smoke and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes.

Add chopped chicken, return to a simmer, and cook an additional 10 minutes.

Split rolls. Place a leaf of lettuce on each roll, then pile on 3/4 cup of the chicken mixture onto the roll.