BUFFALO BBQ PULLED CHICKEN WITH BLUE CHEESE CORNBREAD TOPPER

Buffalo BBQ Pulled Chicken with Blue Cheese Cornbread Topper image

Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network

Time 1h55m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

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2 tablespoons 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: Jiffy)
1 cup crumbled blue cheese
4 scallions, whites and greens, finely chopped

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Heat a large ovenproof skillet with 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan, over medium-high heat. Add the celery, carrots, onions, garlic, chile pepper, salt, pepper, and thyme and saute to soften the vegetables, 10 to12 minutes, then deglaze the pan with the beer or stock.
Stir together the brown sugar, tomato sauce, hot sauce, Worcestershire, and vinegar in a bowl and pour into the skillet and stir to combine. Mix in the chicken pieces, using tongs and cool and store for make-ahead meal.
Reheat over medium heat just to warm up while you mix together the cornbread topper or, to serve immediately, keep warm on low while you mix the cornbread batter, then transfer to oven and bake until top is deep golden brown.
Cook's Note: The filling may be transferred to a casserole if your skillet cannot transfer to the oven.
For the topping: Follow package directions for cornbread batter, then stir in the blue cheese and scallions, pour over the chicken filling in an even layer and bake to golden brown and firm to the touch, about 12 to 15 minutes.