Buffalo BBQ Pulled Chicken Casserole with Cheese Cornbread Topper

By cdboss

I used two boxes of cornbread and it was way too much! But once it was finally finished cooking, which took over half an hour, it was a good meal. I would recommend a flatter casserole dish, perhaps even a 13x9 glass dish so the batter can spread thinly and bake faster. I also agree the recipe calls for a little too much cheese, I'll probably use about half next time.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons EVOO - Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
• 3 to 4 small ribs celery, chopped
• 2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped or grated
• 1 Fresno or Holland chile pepper, seeded and finely chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme
• 1 12-ounce bottle lager beer or 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 14-ounce can tomato sauce
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup hot sauce, depending on desired heat level (medium to spicy)
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 4 pieces poached chicken breast, meat pulled or chopped
• 2 8.5-ounce boxes corn muffin mix, made to package directions (recommended brand Jiffy)
• 1 cup crumbled sharp cheddar cheese
• 4 scallions, whites and greens, finely chopped

Details

Servings 4
Preparation time 20mins
Cooking time 35mins
Adapted from rachaelrayshow.com

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 425ºF.

Heat a large, ovenproof skillet with oil, 2 turns of the pan, over medium-high heat. Add the celery, carrots, onions, garlic, chile pepper, salt, pepper and thyme, and sauté to soften the vegetables, 10-12 minutes. Deglaze the pan with the beer or stock.

Stir together the brown sugar, tomato sauce; hot sauce, Worcestershire and vinegar in a bowl. Pour into the skillet and stir to combine. Fold in the chicken. (Let cool and store for a make-ahead meal. Then reheat over medium heat just to warm up while you mix together the cornbread topper.)

To serve immediately, keep chicken warm over a low flame while you mix the cornbread batter: Follow package directions for cornbread batter, then stir in the cheese and scallions. Pour over the chicken filling in an even layer, transfer skillet to oven and bake to golden brown and firm to the touch, about 12-15 minutes.

Cook's Note: The filling may be transferred to a casserole dish if your skillet cannot transfer to the oven.