Crock pots are super easy to use slow cookers.
Here’s an ode to the crock pot and a delicious chicken recipe. The Crock Pot is an easy to use slow cooker that seems like one of those cooking units that have an otherworldly feel to them. They are usually large, heavy and a little intimidating to use at first.
The slow cooker you see below is way over ten years old. Nick loves to use our trusted green ivy crock-pot and has perfected the Fiesta Chicken recipe you can find below (step by step pictures included).
But first his ode to the crock pot:
‘Half the time I don’t know where it’s at.
Those slow cooked meals are coming back.
Just when I start to think it never got unpacked,
I find it down in the basement.’
Our Trusted Crock Pot
Can slow cookers catch fire?
Technically slow cookers can catch fire while being unattended, just like a toaster or any other appliance that is plugged into an electrical outlet. A slow cooker will generate significant heat while cooking, especially on the ‘High’ setting. But, crock pots and slow cookers were specifically designed for cooking foods for a long time at different temperatures settings.
If you’re slow cookers outer heating element, the electrical cord or the outlet you plug it into doesn’t show any signs of wear than your slow cooker will probably never catch fire.
The crock pot was a staple in kitchens of yesterday
Thoughts of a cooking device that gets taken out once in a blue moon because I actually had the fore thought to prepare a meal 8 hours in advance seems distant and remote. Maybe we, as a society, have evolved into fast food and immediate gratification to make the slow cooker seem antiquated. To get a quality slow cooker for yourself on a budget now and forget about unhealthy fast food.
If you want to plan things in advance, the Crock Pot is just the right thing you need.
Putting the contents together and being able to walk away from it without another thought almost seems too good to be true. We have a crock pot chicken recipe that will not only tempt your taste buds but make you want to bring this cooking pot out more than once a year. Be sure to check out the 1001 Best Slow Cooker Dinner Cookbook by Emma Katie for many more amazing recipes.
Ingredients to make our easy Crock Pot Fiesta Chicken:
- 2 cans (15 1/4 oz. each) whole kernel corn, drained
- 1 can (15 oz.) black beans, drained
- 1 jar (16 oz.) chunky salsa, medium or hot
- 3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (4 oz. each)
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Prep Instructions: Most store bought skinless boneless chicken breasts are ready to cook right out of the package. We never really take that at its word and look the chicken over. We remove the sinew and fat before it is actually ready to be cooked.
Cut up the chicken
Combine vegetables
Add chicken to Crock Pot
Add your favorite Salsa
Cover with Cheese ad set the Crock Pot
Serve and Enjoy!
First, combine corn, beans and 1/2 of the jar of salsa.
Top with the pieces of chicken and pour the remaining salsa over the top.
Cover and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or low for 6 to 8 hours.
Add the cup of cheese and allow to cook for an additional five minutes.
Sprinkle with cheese right before serving.
Serve on a bed of rice or with corn chips for a lighter meal.
Give this easy to make and super delicious Chicken Crock Pot meal a try. Get your own crock pot for under $50, like the Teal Weave from Black & Decker. No modern kitchen should be without a slow cooker!
Do you own a slow cooker and what do you think of our Fiesta Chicken recipe? Leave us your comments below and be sure to subscribe to our blog to receive our newest articles.
Nick and Silke
Silke
Good stuff! Nothing like throwing something together and coming back to it later already waiting for you!
Yes, that’s exactly right. Cooking a healthy meal doesn’t get any easier than that.
Customize as you wish Slow Cooker Beef Stew 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1 inch cubes1/4 cup all-purpose flour1/2 tepoaosn salt1/2 tepoaosn ground black pepper1 clove garlic, minced1 bay leaf1 tepoaosn paprika1 tepoaosn Worcestershire sauce1 onion, chopped1 1/2 cups beef broth3 potatoes, diced4 carrots, sliced1 stalk celery, chopped Place meat in slow cooker. In a small bowl mix together the flour, salt, and pepper; pour over meat, and stir to coat meat with flour mixture. Stir in the garlic, bay leaf, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, onion, beef broth, potatoes, carrots, and celery. Cover, and cook on Low setting for 10 to 12 hours, or on High setting for 4 to 6 hours.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~SUPERB beef stew! I took the great base recipe, and tweaked it with a compilation of reviewer recommendations. The end result is a winner, to be sure. Here is what I did (and I won’t change a thing the next time I make it): 1. Increase flour to 1/3 cup and substitute seasoned salt for regular salt. Put flour mixture into gallon-sized, zippered bag. Shake beef in bag to coat. Saute9 coated beef in 1-2 tablespoons olive oil until browned. Add chopped onion to beef to saute9 and soften. Transfer to slow cooker. 2. Mix beef broth (I used Swanson’s Certified Organic in aseptic carton) with 1 TABLEspoon Worcestershire and bd cup red wine. Pour into hot skillet to deglaze, then pour over beef and onions in cooker. 3. Add remaining ingredients with these additions: increase garlic to 2 cloves minced, 2 bay leaves; add 1 packet McCormick’s Beef Stew Seasoning. Your home will smell wonderful all day, and your meal will be a savory feast! I served the stew in bowls, accompanied by slices of fresh, crusty bread.
it is my pleasure that i have the unique opportunity to comment on this awesome post. it is a very nice message and i have pretty good understanding of the subject.
I get pleasure from, result in I discovered just what I used to be looking for. You’ve ended my 4 day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye
Are you seriously going to sing “I’m bringing sexy back” whenever you see the crock pot now?
Hey! A lot of people sing while they are cooking.
Beef StewINGREDIENTS:10 small new potatoes, hvaeld, unpeeled12 small whole white onions, peeled, fresh or frozen, thawed30 baby carrots, 8 ounces1 red or green bell pepper, seeded, cut into 1-inch pieces1 1/2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes2 cups beef broth1/2 teaspoon dried leaf oregano1/4 teaspoon paprika1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped, or 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce1/2 teaspoon salt1/8 teaspoon pepper3 tablespoons cornstarch3 tablespoons cold waterPREPARATION:Place potatoes, onions, and baby carrots in slow cooker. Add bell pepper and beef. In small bowl, combine broth, oregano, paprika, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Pour over meat and vegetables. Cover and cook on LOW 9 to 10 hrs. Turn pot on HIGH. In small bowl, dissolve cornstarch in water; stir into cooked stew mixture. Cover and cook on HIGH 15 to 20 mins. or until thickened, stirring occasionally. ~*-*~
Hello, just wanted to mention, I loved this article. It was practical. Keep on posting!
We’re glad you liked it.
Nick and Silke
LMFAO! I used to listen to that song all the time and I recognized it right away. You guys are hilarious. Is that some kind of Minnesota humor?
It’s my own dumb-ass sense of humor. Silke was rolling her eyes when I sang it to her. Justin Timberlake rocks LOL!
We hope you’ll stop by again soon,
Nick and Silke