Sizzling Mississippi Chicken Recipe: A Southern Family Delight

Whipping up a Mississippi chicken dish promises pure comfort on your dinner plate.

Savory aromas will dance through your kitchen as seasoned ingredients meld together.

Southern-style cooking brings warmth and soul to every bite.

Home cooks adore this simple yet incredible meal that demands minimal effort.

Tender chicken pieces swimming in a rich, tangy sauce create instant satisfaction.

Hearty and packed with robust flavors, this recipe speaks directly to your craving for something deliciously uncomplicated.

Jump into this culinary adventure and watch magic unfold on your plate.

Mississippi Chicken That’s Tangy, Easy, and Tender

• Simplify Meal Prep: Incredibly easy recipe with just 4 ingredients and minimal prep work, making weeknight dinners a breeze for busy families.
• Versatile Serving Options: Shredded chicken transforms effortlessly into multiple meal styles like sandwiches, rice bowls, or protein-packed side dishes for flexible dining.
• Flavor-Packed Comfort Food: Ranch and au jus seasonings create a rich, tangy sauce that infuses chicken with deep, mouth-watering flavors guaranteed to satisfy everyone at the table.
• Slow Cooker Convenience: Set-it-and-forget-it cooking method allows hands-off preparation, delivering tender, juicy chicken without constant monitoring or complex cooking techniques.

Mississippi Chicken Ingredients

• Chicken: Tender, soft meat that forms the main protein of the dish.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, silky sauce.

• Ranch Seasoning Mix: Provides zesty, herbal flavor profile.
• Au Jus Seasoning Mix: Enhances meat's natural savory taste with deep beef undertones.

• Pepperoncini Peppers: Bright, tangy peppers that add mild heat and acidic kick; choose jarred peppers for consistent flavor and texture; can select mild or spicy varieties depending on preference.

Mississippi Chicken Prep Guide

Step 1: Prep the Slow Cooker

Gently nestle chicken pieces into the slow cooker.

• Ranch seasoning mix
• Au jus gravy mix
• Pepperoncini peppers
• Pepperoncini pepper juice

Top everything with butter slices, ensuring they’re spread across the surface.

Step 2: Slow Cook with Care

• For ultra-tender, melt-in-your-mouth chicken, choose low heat and cook for 6-8 hours
• If you're pressed for time, use high heat and cook for 4 hours

Step 3: Transform into Succulent Shreds

Grab two forks and lovingly pull the chicken apart right in the slow cooker.

Mix thoroughly so every piece gets coated in the rich, tangy sauce.

Step 4: Create Your Delicious Meal

• Stuffed into soft sandwich rolls
• Nestled over fluffy white rice
• Spooned atop creamy mashed potatoes
• Paired with roasted seasonal vegetables

Easy Dinner Ideas for Mississippi Chicken

• Use bone-in chicken thighs for extra juiciness and richer flavor compared to chicken breasts.
• Adjust pepperoncini amount based on heat preference – remove seeds for milder taste or add more for extra kick.
• Store shredded chicken in sauce for up to 4 days in refrigerator, perfect for quick weeknight meals or lunch prep.
• Swap ranch and au jus packets for gluten-free versions to make this recipe celiac-friendly without compromising taste.
• Let chicken rest in slow cooker sauce for 10-15 minutes after shredding to absorb maximum flavor before serving.

Storing Mississippi Chicken

• Store leftover Mississippi Chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 4 days.
• Transfer cooled chicken to freezer-safe containers or bags. Seal tightly and freeze for maximum 3 months. Label with date for easy tracking.
• Warm in microwave at 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. Add splash of chicken broth to prevent drying out and maintain moisture.
• Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating. Warm in skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through completely. Discard any leftovers not consumed within 3-4 days.

Pairing Options for Mississippi Chicken

• Pair Zesty Pepperoncini Punch: Complement the tangy Mississippi Chicken with a crisp, cold beer like pilsner or wheat ale that cuts through the rich flavors and matches the pepperoncini's brightness.
• Create Creamy Contrast: Serve with a cool, tangy coleslaw or cucumber salad to balance the savory, spicy chicken and provide a refreshing textural counterpoint.
• Match Comfort Carbs: Accompany the dish with buttery mashed potatoes or soft, fluffy white rice that will soak up the delicious, peppery sauce and create a satisfying meal experience.
• Enhance Herb Harmony: Choose a light, herbal white wine like Sauvignon Blanc to echo the ranch seasoning's herbal notes and cleanse the palate between bites of the robust chicken.

Mississippi Chicken Flavor Twists

• Spicy Jalapeño Version: Replace pepperoncini with fresh jalapeños for a hotter kick, adding diced green chiles for extra heat and complexity.
• Herb-Infused Chicken: Swap ranch and au jus mix with Italian seasoning blend, fresh thyme, and rosemary for a more herbaceous flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Use olive oil instead of butter and choose dairy-free ranch seasoning packet to accommodate lactose-intolerant diets.
• Low-Carb Option: Serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles instead of traditional rice or potatoes, reducing overall carbohydrate content.

FAQs

• What are pepperoncini peppers?

Pepperoncini are mild, tangy pickled peppers from Italy with a slightly sweet and spicy flavor. They add a bright, zesty kick to Mississippi Chicken without being too hot.

• Can I use chicken breasts or thighs?

Both work great! Chicken breasts are leaner and will shred easily, while chicken thighs have more fat and tend to be more flavorful and tender.

• Do I need fresh or bottled pepperoncini?

Jarred pepperoncini from the grocery store are perfect. The juice from the jar adds extra flavor to the dish, making the chicken even more delicious.

• What if I don't have ranch seasoning mix?

You can substitute with 1 tablespoon of dried ranch seasoning herbs like dill, parsley, garlic powder, and onion powder. This will help maintain the classic ranch flavor profile of the recipe.

Mississippi Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 7 hours 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Mississippi chicken brings southern comfort to your dinner table with tender, juicy chicken smothered in zesty pepperoncini peppers and rich, tangy ranch seasoning. Hearty flavors meld together, creating a simple yet irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Proteins:

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)

Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
• 1 packet au jus gravy mix (or brown gravy mix)

Peppers and Additional Ingredients:

• 56 whole pepperoncini peppers
• 1/2 cup pepperoncini juice
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, sliced

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Instructions

1. Prepare the slow cooker by laying chicken pieces in the bottom of the vessel, creating an even base for the dish.
2. Generously dust ranch seasoning and au jus mix across the chicken surface, ensuring complete and uniform coverage.
3. Distribute pepperoncini peppers evenly over the seasoned chicken, then carefully pour the pepper juice to enhance moisture and flavor.
4. Position butter slices strategically on top of the peppers, allowing them to melt and infuse the meat during cooking.
5. Select cooking method based on available time: opt for low temperature setting for 6-8 hours to achieve maximum tenderness, or use high temperature setting for 4 hours if time is limited.
6. Once cooking is complete, utilize two forks to gently pull and separate chicken into delicate, succulent shreds directly within the slow cooker.
7. Thoroughly blend the shredded chicken with accumulated cooking liquid to ensure each morsel is saturated with rich, tangy sauce.
8. Present the prepared chicken as a versatile main course by serving over rice, mashed potatoes, nestled in sandwiches, or accompanied by roasted vegetables.

Notes

• Prioritize using boneless, skinless chicken breasts for even cooking and easier shredding.
• Select high-quality ranch and au jus mixes to enhance the overall flavor profile of the dish.
• Adjust pepper quantity based on personal spice tolerance, allowing for customizable heat levels.
• Consider preparing this recipe a day ahead, as flavors intensify and develop more depth when allowed to rest overnight in the refrigerator.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 7 hours (on Low) or 4 hours (on High)
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 1050mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 5g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 100mg