DOLCE DIET LIFESTYLE:
3 Easy, Slow Cooker Chicken Dinners
by Samantha Coogan, MS, RDN, LD
Chicken dishes can become boring and bland, but the Crockpot can turn traditional recipes into flavorful, tender dishes. Try out these slow cooker chicken dishes to change up your poultry game!
Balsamic Chicken
Ingredients
• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 tbsp. grapeseed oil
• Pinch of sea salt and black pepper
• 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 6 tomatoes, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
• 8 basil leaves, diced
• ¼ c. balsamic vinegar
Directions
1. Put the sliced onion at the bottom of the slow cooker and then put the chicken breasts on top and then add grapeseed oil and season with the salt and pepper.
2. Add tomatoes, garlic and basil and then pour balsamic vinegar on top.
3. Cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours.
Cashew Chicken
Ingredients
• 2 chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
• 1-2 cups frozen broccoli, chopped
• 1 cup carrots, sliced
• ½ cup cashews, chopped or whole
• 1 tbsp. grapeseed oil
• ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 4 tbsp. rice wine vinegar
• 3 tbsp. organic ketchup
• 1 tbsp. coconut sugar
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp. ginger paste
• ¼ tsp. red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ½ cup water
Directions
1. Layer chicken, cashews and vegetables in crockpot.
2. Combine remaining ingredients except water and pour over chicken.
3. Add water if necessary so mixture is almost fully covered.
4. Cook on HIGH for 2-4 hours or on LOW for 4-8 hours.
Chicken Tacos Bowls
Ingredients
• 1½ lbs. chicken breasts
• 1 (16 oz.) jar organic salsa
• 1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained
• 1 tbsp. chili powder
• ½ tbsp. cumin
• ½ tbsp. minced garlic
• ½ tsp. dried oregano
• ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
• ¼ tsp. salt
• Cracked pepper to paste
• 2 cups dry rice
• 8 oz. shredded cheddar
• ½ bunch cilantro (optional)
Directions
1. Add everything except the rice, cheese, and cilantro to the slow cooker along with ¼ cup of water. Stir well and make sure the chicken is covered in the mixture.
2. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours.
3. Near the end of the cooking time, cook the two cups of rice according to the package directions.
4. After 8 hours of cooking, remove lid and shred the chicken with two forks.
5. Place mixture over rice. Sprinkle with a bit of cheddar and cilantro and serve.
