Jezebel Chicken Crockpot Recipe
This Crockpot Jezebel Chicken is a flavorful blend of sweet fruit preserves, tangy mustard, and spicy horseradish, creating a perfect balance of flavors. Tender chicken slow-cooked in this zesty sauce makes for a mouthwatering meal!
Crockpot Jezebel Chicken
Crockpot Jezebel Chicken is a dish that highlights the interplay of sweet, tangy, and mildly spicy flavors, inspired by the Southern U.S. tradition of bold and contrasting tastes. The dish is named after the classic Jezebel Sauce, a zesty condiment made from fruit preserves, horseradish, and mustard. In this crockpot variation, the sauce is transformed into a glaze that infuses the chicken with a unique blend of pineapple or apple sweetness, sharp horseradish heat, and the smooth tang of Dijon mustard. This combination makes it perfect for those who enjoy dynamic flavor profiles.
The preparation is straightforward and ideal for busy days. Chicken, often boneless and skinless breasts or thighs, is slow-cooked in the crockpot with the Jezebel Sauce until tender and juicy. As it cooks, the sauce thickens and melds with the chicken, creating a flavorful dish with minimal effort. It's versatile too—you can serve it over rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables to make it a hearty meal. Some variations even include cayenne pepper for an extra kick.
This recipe is well-loved for its simplicity and adaptability. Whether for a family dinner or a potluck, Jezebel Chicken Crockpot is a crowd-pleaser that adds a sophisticated twist to an otherwise humble crockpot meal. It exemplifies how a few pantry staples can create a dish with complex, memorable flavors.
Recipe
Jezebel Chicken Crockpot Recipe combines sweet and spicy flavors in a slow-cooked dish that’s easy to prepare and perfect for any occasion. This Southern-inspired recipe uses pineapple preserves, apple jelly, and horseradish for a unique tangy glaze.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup pineapple preserves
- 1 cup apple jelly
- 1/4 cup prepared horseradish
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine pineapple preserves, apple jelly, horseradish, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper. Mix well.
- Place the chicken breasts in the crockpot and pour the prepared sauce over them, ensuring each piece is coated.
- Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- Remove chicken from the crockpot and serve with sauce spooned over the top.
prep time with cook time.
Serves 6 and contains approximately 250 calories per serving.
Southern / Main Course
Rated 4.9 by 164 reviewers.
Recipe Tags: Jezebel chicken, crockpot chicken, sweet and spicy chicken, Southern recipe, easy chicken dinner
Published by: Crisprecipe
Recipe Video
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Servings
Serving your Jezebel Chicken can be as creative as you like, but there are a few classic ways that will complement the sweet and spicy flavors of the dish:
Over Rice: A bed of white or brown rice is a perfect pairing. The rice soaks up the delicious sauce, making every bite flavorful. It’s an easy, go-to option that ensures you get the full experience of the dish.
Mashed Potatoes: Another great option for serving Jezebel Chicken is mashed potatoes. The creamy potatoes provide a nice contrast to the tangy sauce, and like rice, they act as a great vehicle for soaking up the sauce.
Roasted Vegetables: For a healthier side, roasted vegetables like carrots, Brussels sprouts, or sweet potatoes add a savory balance to the sweet and spicy chicken. Their slight caramelization also brings a nice texture that pairs well with the tender chicken.
Biscuits or Bread: If you're looking for something to help scoop up the sauce, soft biscuits or crusty bread are fantastic options. They add a satisfying carb element and are perfect for dipping.
On a Salad: For a lighter, fresher serving, try serving the chicken over a bed of mixed greens or a coleslaw. The crisp freshness of the salad helps balance out the richness of the sauce, and it’s perfect if you’re serving it for a summer meal.
Sandwich or Wrap: If you have leftovers, Jezebel Chicken makes for a delicious sandwich or wrap. Just shred the chicken and add some of the sauce for a flavorful filling.
These serving options help to round out the meal, balancing the bold flavors of the chicken with complementary sides. If you want to elevate the presentation, garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or chives for a pop of color and extra freshness.
Tips
Adjust Sweetness and Spice: The balance between the sweet fruit preserves (like pineapple or apple jelly) and the spicy horseradish is key to this dish. If you prefer more sweetness, you can add more preserves or jelly, while adding extra horseradish or a pinch of cayenne can turn up the heat. Always taste the sauce before adding it to the chicken to ensure it’s balanced to your liking.
Use Bone-In Chicken for Extra Flavor: While boneless, skinless chicken is the go-to option for convenience, using bone-in chicken (like thighs or drumsticks) will yield a richer, juicier result due to the extra fat and marrow. This can deepen the flavor and make the chicken more tender.
Thicken the Sauce (Optional): If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can remove the chicken once it's cooked and let the sauce simmer on the stove to reduce it. Alternatively, you can mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with cold water and stir it into the sauce to thicken it. This is particularly helpful if you plan to serve it over rice or mashed potatoes, as the thicker sauce will cling better.
Make It Ahead of Time: One of the best things about crockpot recipes is the ability to make them ahead of time. Jezebel Chicken is perfect for meal prepping, and the leftovers actually taste even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld together. You can also freeze the chicken with the sauce for up to three months and reheat it when needed.
Serving Suggestions: This dish pairs wonderfully with simple sides that help balance the richness of the sauce. Consider serving it with steamed broccoli, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad. You can also serve it with bread or biscuits to soak up the sauce, or make a hearty sandwich using leftover chicken.
Use Quality Ingredients: As the sauce relies on a few key ingredients like preserves, mustard, and horseradish, using high-quality versions of these ingredients can really elevate the dish. Look for homemade or artisanal preserves and horseradish for a more robust flavor.
Ingredient Substitutes
If you need to make substitutions for the ingredients in a Jezebel Chicken Crockpot recipe, there are several options depending on what you have available or if you prefer a slightly different flavor profile. Here are some common substitutes:
Fruit Preserves or Jelly:
- Substitute: If you don’t have pineapple or apple jelly, you can use peach, apricot, or even grape jelly. Some people like to use fig preserves for a richer, more complex flavor.
- Tip: If you want to avoid the sweetness of jelly, you can make a fruit puree using fresh fruit like apples or peaches, which still gives a similar sweetness but with a fresher flavor.
Horseradish:
- Substitute: If you don’t have prepared horseradish, you can use a mixture of wasabi (for heat) and a bit of mustard (for tang), or even horseradish sauce if that's what you have.
- Tip: If you're looking for a milder version, try using a small amount of Dijon mustard or even a little bit of garlic to replace the sharpness of horseradish.
Dijon Mustard:
- Substitute: If you don’t have Dijon mustard, yellow mustard or spicy brown mustard are great alternatives. For a slight variation in flavor, you could also use whole-grain mustard.
- Tip: If you prefer a milder, sweeter mustard flavor, honey mustard can work as a substitute, though it will alter the sauce's overall flavor.
Chicken:
- Substitute: You can easily swap chicken breasts for chicken thighs if you want more flavor and juiciness. If you don’t have chicken, turkey breasts or thighs work well too.
- Tip: If you prefer boneless skinless cuts but want a richer flavor, adding a little extra chicken broth or stock can enhance the dish.
Cayenne Pepper:
- Substitute: For a less spicy option, you can use paprika (smoked or sweet) or chili powder to bring warmth without too much heat.
- Tip: For more heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes can be added.
Apple Cider Vinegar:
- Substitute: If you don't have apple cider vinegar, white vinegar or even balsamic vinegar can work as substitutes. Lemon juice is another good option for a citrusy tang.
- Tip: If you use lemon juice, just be careful not to overpower the dish with acidity.
These substitutions can help you make the recipe work with what you have in your pantry while still maintaining a delicious balance of flavors.