I love making recipes in a Crock Pot.  It's very easy and if you do a few extra steps, like browning the meat, the flavors explode.  I have tried to put this step in every recipe, but just in case, as a rule it is better to brown chicken. beef, lamb and pork before adding them to your crock pots.  The order of placement is also important.  Always put the meat in first.  Adding the other ingredients after the meat will assure that the meat stays moist and ultimately more tender.  I will add other recipes soon.  So, stay tuned.

Easy Crock Pot Recipes

VEGETARIAN CHILI

   Ingredients: 

            1 – Cup – Onions

            2 – Cloves – Garlic (crushed)

            1 – Jalapeno Pepper (remove seeds for less heat)

            1 – Can – Lima Beans

            1 – Can – Black Beans

            1 – Can – White Beans

            1 – Can – Red Beans

            1 – Can – Tomatoes (Diced)

            2 – Tablespoons – Chili Powder (Ground)

            1 – Tablespoon – Oregano  (Dried)

            1 – Tablespoon – Coriander (Ground)

            2 – teaspoons – Cumin (Ground)

            4 – Cups – Vegetable Broth

            1/3 – Cup – Cous-Cous

            Hot Sauce (to taste)

            Salt & Pepper (to taste)

            Monterey Jack Cheese (Shredded)

            Parsley (Garnish)

    Directions: 

1)    Place all ingredients (except cheese and parsley) into crock pot.

2)   Cook on low for 8 hours.

3)    Spoon into bowls and add cheese to taste.

     4)  Garnish with parsley.

“EASY” CHICKEN CACCIATORE

    Ingredients:

            6 – Skinless Boneless – Chicken Breasts

            1 – 28 oz. – Jar – Spaghetti  Sauce

            8 oz. – Fresh Mushrooms (Sliced)

            1 – Onion (Diced)

            4 – Cloves – Garlic (Crushed)

            Favorite Pasta

         

  Directions:

1)      In a large skillet, lightly brown chicken. 

2)   Put chicken into crockpot.

3)   Top with sauce, mushrooms, onion, and garlic.

4)   Cook on low – 8 hours

5)   Cook pasta according to directions.

6)   Serve over pasta.

“EASY” CREAMY FETTUCCINE

  1 ½ lbs. – Boneless Skinless – Chicken Thighs (cut into ½ inch pieces)

  2 – Tablespoons – Dry Sherry

  1 – Can – Cream of Mushroom Soup

  ½ - teaspoon – Black Pepper (Ground)

  2 – Cloves – Garlic (Crushed)

  1 ½ - Cups – Fettuccine (Cooked)

  2 – Tablespoons – Fresh Parmesan Cheese (Grated)

  Directions:

1)    In a skillet, lightly brown chicken

2)   Cut into ½ inch pieces.

3)   Place chicken in crock pot.

4)   Drizzle with sherry.

5)   Add soup, and garlic.

6)   Mix well.

7)   Sprinkle with pepper.

8)   Cook on low – 7 to 8 hours.

9)   Cook fettuccine.

10) When chicken mixture is done, add cooked fettuccine.

11)  Mix.

12) Sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese.

13) Serve.

“EASY” ORANGE CHICKEN

  Ingredients:

                4 – Chicken Breasts (Cut into ½ inch pieces)

                1 – Cup – Orange Juice

                2 – teaspoons – Orange Zest

                ¼ - Cup – Soy Sauce

                2 or 3 – Cloves – Garlic (Crushed)

                1 – Tablespoon – Flour

                Favorite pasta (Cook according to package directions)

   Directions:

1)    In a skillet, lightly brown chicken.

2)   Cut into ½ inch pieces.

3)   Put chicken into crock pot.

4)   Pour orange juice, zest, soy sauce, and garlic over chicken.

5)   Mix well.

6)   Cook on low for 7 to 8 hours.

7)   Remove chicken and whisk in flour to thicken sauce.

8)   Add chicken back into pot and coat with sauce.

9)   Cook 30 minutes more.

10) Serve over cooked pasta.

“EASY” CHINESE CHICKEN

   Ingredients:

                     3 lbs. – Chicken (Cut into bite-size pieces)

                     ¾ - Cup – Sugar (More or less to taste)

                     ¼ - Cup – Rice Wine Vinegar

                     1 ¼ - Cup – Soy Sauce (Light)

                     2 – Cups – Chinese Cooking Wine (Or a dry white wine)

                     4 – Cloves – Garlic (Crushed)

                     3 – Tablespoons – Fresh Ginger (Peeled and finely chopped)

                     Cooked sweet rice

                  

   Directions:

1)    In a skillet, lightly brown chicken.

2)   Put everything into crock pot (except rice).

3)   Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.

4)   Serve over sweet rice.

“EASY” 5-SPICE CHICKEN

                      Ingredients:

                     ½ lbs. – Thai Noodles

                     6 – Cups – Chicken Broth

                     3 – Scallions (White & Green – Sliced)

                     2 – Tablespoons – Fresh Ginger (Finely Chopped)

                                        1 – Tablespoon – 5-Spice Powder

                     ¼ - Cup – Fish Sauce

                     3 – Tablespoons – Lemon Juice

                     2 – Tablespoons – Honey

                     2 – Cups – Cooked Shredded Chicken

    Directions:

1)    Cook noodles according to package directions.

2)   Cool chicken and shred, put in refrigerator.

3)   In a large saucepan, combine broth, scallions, ginger, and 5-spice.

4)   Bring to a boil.

5)   Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

6)   In a mixing bowl, combine lemon juice, fish sauce, and honey.

7)   Pour into broth mixture.

8)   Stir in chicken.

9)   Add noodles and heat about 1 minute.

10) Place in individual bowls.

11)  Garnish and serve.

Tip 1:  5-spice powder, Thai Noodles and fish sauce can be found at any Chinese or Asian Market. 

          Tip 2:  Save a little of the scallion green parts for garnish.

          Tip 3:  The chicken will shred easily after being cooled.

          Tip 4:  You can use white or dark meat chicken or a mixture.

          Tip 5: White meat has fewer calories.

“EASY” PARMESAN CHICKEN

  Ingredients:

            4 – Whole – Chicken Breasts (Halved)

            5 – Cups – Spaghetti Sauce (Favorite Brand)

            1 – Cup – Asiago Cheese (Shredded)

            1 – Cup – Parmesan Cheese (Shredded)

            1 – Cup – Mozzarella Cheese (Shredded)

            1 – Cup – Bread Crumbs (Italian)

            Salt & Pepper (To Taste)

            Favorite Pasta

            Parsley for garnish

   Directions:

1)    In a large skillet, lightly brown chicken breasts.

2)   Place chicken in bottom of crock pot.

3)   Cover with sauce.

4)   Cook on low for 7 to 8 hours

5)   Brown bread crumbs lightly in a small skillet.

6)   In the last hour, sprinkle cheeses and bread crumbs on top of chicken.

7)   While waiting for cheeses to melt, cook pasta.

8)   Drain pasta

9)   Put chicken pieces and cheese over pasta.

             Tip 1:  Browning the chicken and bread crumbs will enhance the flavors.

             Tip 2: Pasta continues to cook, so cook according package directions for

                   al denta.

If you have any ideas for recipes, just let me know.  I'll post as often as possible.