I have a mantra.
If dinner’s not done by noon, it’s not gonna happen.
Oh, I’ll still feed my hungry brood, but it most likely will not be the home cooked meal of their dreams.
For me, the hardest time of the day is between 4:00 – 7:00 pm. If we aren’t shuffling in the minivan from one activity to another, chances are the four children are melting down doing homework, school projects or reminding me I volunteered to iron 52 choir robes for tomorrow’s concert. I’m just kidding about the choir robes. I’m not sure I even own an iron. Needless to say, the witching hour is no time to attempt to cook the family meal.
So, I really do cook dinner during the breakfast hour. Or at least I do most of the prep work so that when suppertime rolls around all I need to do is re-heat and serve.
Using my slow cooker takes my cooking before noon mantra to a whole ‘nother level. It almost feels like cheating. I’m sure y’all have tons of delicious slow cooker recipes, but this one is my son’s absolute favorite.
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sloppy Joes
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (7 oz) can chopped green chiles
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon hot, smoked paprika
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 teaspoons dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon celery salt (or regular salt)
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- 2 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 onions, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
In a slow cooker add tomatoes, chiles, vinegars, honey, paprika, tomato paste, Worcestershire Sauce, mustard, salt and pepper. Stir well until combined. Add chicken, onions and garlic. Stir until chicken is completely coated.
Cook on low for 5 hours, or until chicken is tender and can be pulled apart with a fork.
With the tongs of two forks, gently pull chicken until finely shredded. Stir until well combined and keep the slow coooker on warm until ready to serve.
Serve BBQ Chicken Sloppy Joes topped with jalapenos, chopped onions, or pickles on whole-wheat buns or sliders.
Serves 6-8 hungry boys.
How do you handle meals and the “witching hour” at your house?
Filling her life with great food, abiding faith, and vibrant conversation, Kristin invites all to linger around the table and join her. A foodie at heart with a passion for great stories, Kristin loves to teach others how to enjoy the richness of relationship as well as the delight of well-prepared food. Kristin brings life and energy to everything she does from teaching food classes to sharing her latest culinary creation on her website www.kristinschell.com.
Witching hour goes better if baths get done before dinner.
Gwen – great idea! Helps calm them down too.
I like to have meals prepared in my freezer, thawing during the day, ready to bake/heat during the witching hour, which is most certainly from 4 to 5:30 p.m., at which time Daddy usually walks in the door.
Kristin – Why is it that Daddy always walks in smack dab in the middle of the crazy hour?
Love the idea of having a stocked freezer. Wish we were next door neighbors.
I learned this from another blogger. If you have a kitchen aid mixer, you can shred your cooked chicken. Just put the cooked chicken in the bowl, use the flat paddle, and mix away. It takes about two minutes and you have beautifully shredded chicken.
Sue – Great tip. I guess I’m crazy, but all I thought of was ‘more to clean!’ Does that make me crazy & lazy?
I’m loving my crockpot more and more. We do a lot of mexican dishes in our crockpot: chipotle pulled pork for burritos, machaca, refried beans, etc… We’ll definitely give this one a shot.
If I can’t boot them to the backyard, my three boys usually play football-less football during the witching hour. When the noise level or physical intensity gets to be too high, I yell out half-time and everyone must rush to get a book and sit on the couch quietly for 10 minutes!
Heather – Love it! Half-time reading. I might have to get out the whistle and give this a whirl.
This sounds like something that would make all the picky boys in our house happy. I need to add this to next week’s meal plan.
Witching hr. Blech. On the days it is “easy” it is those days both kids have had just enough nap and are able to play quietly in the playden. Most days it is them just outside of my work area on the floor in the kitchen (when Daddy has to do nights) or playing with Daddy.
LOVE the napkins! What a neat idea for a gentle reminder.
I involve my boys in any cooking that has to be done during witching hour. Yes, it’s messy. But keeps everyone from fighting. I also allow all my boys to snack right up until dinner, but I choose the snack….usually carrot sticks or apples. This gives them a choice, and I really don’t care if they’re eating before dinner…if it’s healthy. I also try to cook, shred, and freeze tons of chicken at once, then just pull out a bag from the freezer….assemble most dinners very quickly. And sometimes still…….my attitude alone helps the witching hour! Thanks for all you’re doing here!!!