Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

I've been meaning to post this recipe for a few weeks.  Victor and I love mushrooms, so any time I can hide it in a recipe I will.  Samantha usually catches on about half way through the meal.  Then I tell her, "You've been eating them all along, so you might as well finish them up." 

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore - printable version

2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 cup celery, chopped
1/2 cup carrot, chopped
1 medium onion, diced
1/2 green, red or yellow pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound boneless chicken pieces (breasts, tenders, thighs etc.)
1 cube (1 tsp.) chicken bouillon
1 cup water
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1 (14.5 ounce) can undrained diced tomatoes
1 (12 ounce) can tomato paste

Yield - 6 servings

1. Combine mushrooms, celery, carrots, onion, peppers, and garlic in a slow cooker.
2. Place chicken pieces on top of vegetables.
3. Mix together remaining ingredients and pour over top of chicken.
4. Cook on high for 5-6 hours.
5. Break up chicken pieces with a wooden spoon before serving.
6. Serve over hot cooked spaghetti.

If you can find find frozen mirepoix (celery, carrots and onions) blend, frozen onions and peppers blend, or frozen onions, you can subsitute those for some or all of the equivalent veggies.  I have all three on hand in my freezer at all times which saves me a ton of time on preparation.  Or next time you are chopping up any of those ingredients, chop up some extra and freeze 1 to 2 cup portions in individual freezer bags.

Thanks for playing!
Jan

Slow Cooker Chicken & Butternut Ragout

Last week I was trying to use up some vegetables that I'd received in my Bountiful Baskets order and was struggling to come up with a good use for the butternut squash.  I came up with this recipe to use it like a potato in the slow cooker. It was really easy and quite delicious!

I love butternut squash and so does Victor.  But my girls?  I didn't even dare say the word squash or they think they won't like it.  I don't know why, but I was the same way as a kid.  Samantha came down on Sunday morning and saw me cutting up the big thing. 

"What's that, Mom?" she asked.

"It's Butternut!" I promptly replied

We referred to it as Butternut instead of Butternut Squash throughout the preparation and the eating.  And you know what?  They ate up every bite of it's delicious goodness!  Sometimes it's all in a name!

Slow Cooker Chicken & Butternut Ragout - printable version

1 pound boneless chicken pieces (breast, tenders, thigh, etc.)
1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seedded and cut into 1-1/2 inch pieces
1 (28 ounce) can of baked beans with onions (if using regular baked beans add 1/2 cup chopped onion)
1 (14.5 ounce) can undrained diced tomatoes (chili or italian style)

Yield - 6 servings

1. Mix all ingredients in a large crock pot, placing chicken breasts on top.
2. Cook on high for 5-6 hours.
3. Break up chicken pieces with a wooden spoon before serving.
4. Serve in soup bowls with bread or biscuits.

And that's it!  Only four ingredients that I happened to have in the pantry and freezer.  I love that kind of Sunday morning recipe!  We will definitely be having this the next time we get a "butternut" and I know the kids will be excited!  If you don't have one, you could probably substitute potatoes in it's place or perhaps another kind of squash.  Just don't tell the kids!

Thanks for playing!
Jan