When school starts back each year, it seems like everything else in the world starts back at the same time – regardless if it is school related or not.
The long, lazy days of summer screech to a halt regardless of how much I protest that I’m not ready for them to end.
My family maps out our calendars and notes commitments for every night of the week with the exception of one and we also quickly realize we have events on our calendars that are the same time, yet different place on a few of those nights.
This probably sounds all too familiar to you, too.
It’s our face-paced, do-it-all lifestyles.
Even though we’re headed from here to there and back again, I still want to have a homemade supper for my family as much as possible. On those most hectic of weeks, I turn to my slow cooker for help.
I’m excited to share with you one of the little tricks I’ve head up my sleeve for years that just makes meal preparation a whole lot easier.
I put 10-12 chicken breasts in my slow cooker in the morning before the start of school or our other morning activities knowing that by the end of the afternoon I’ll have perfectly cooked chicken ready to be used for that night’s supper along with a few more meals throughout the week.
It definitely saves my sanity!
Here’s the recipe for my easy slow cooker chicken that works perfectly in any number of dishes, followed by a five of my family’s favorite simple recipes.
A recipe for simple slow cooker chicken that makes meal preparation so much easier
Ingredients
- 10-12 chicken breasts
- water
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 3 cloves garlic, whole
Instructions
http://addapinch.com/cooking/2011/08/09/5-simple-recipes-using-slow-cooker-chicken/
- Place chicken breasts in crock of slow cooker and cover with water.
- Add in salt, pepper, and garlic.
- Turn on low heat for 7 hours or high heat for 3 1/2.
- Remove chicken from slow cooker to use immediately or store in air tight containers in the refrigerator.
- Reserve chicken stock in a separate air tight container in the refrigerator for use in later recipes.
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5 Simple Recipes for Slow Cooker Chicken
Having prepared the slow cooker chicken makes pulling these recipes together for lunch or a busy weeknight supper a breeze.
Simple Chicken Quesadillas
Adding the slow cooker chicken to these Classic Cheese Quesadillas makes a definite quick-fix, family favorite for lunch or supper around here. Served with a side salad or favorite fruit, this meal can be ready in a jiffy.
Total Time: 10 minutes
Super Fast BBQ Chicken Sliders
Another super simple meal idea is to use the slow cooker chicken in these BBQ Chicken Sliders to have a delicious meal on the table in minutes. It’s a definite winner around my house.
Total Time: 10 minutes
Quick Sweet and Savory Wrap
Substitute chicken for the turkey in this Sweet and Savory Wrap for a quick, easy and mighty delicious meal.
Total Time: 10 minutes
Chicken Fettuccine in Basil Cream Sauce
Update my basic Fettuccine in Basil Cream Sauce Recipe and add slices of slow cooker chicken for an even heartier meal.
Total Time: 15 minutes
Hot Chicken Salad
Use your slow cooker chicken in this delicious Hot Chicken Salad for a filling, hot meal in 30 minutes!
Total Time: 30 minutes
I sure hope you like my idea of cooking your chicken ahead using your slow cooker and then enjoying that chicken in many meals throughout the week! I’ve got a few more coming up over the next couple of days that will give you even more ideas for that chicken!
I’d love to know what you think about this simple recipes series. Let me know in the comments.
Love ya,
Robyn
I’m sharing my slow cooker chicken trick with TidyMom and on Mingle Monday.
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Great combination of recipes! And that definitely makes things easier to plan out like that.
Totally makes sense to do a big batch for smaller meals. Great idea, thx for sharing.
I use my crock pot all the time but I never thought of making plain chicken to use in other recipes. This is a great idea! I can’t wait to try it!
Looks so yummy and delicious! will definitely try this. thanks
I love all of these ideas!!
I love the simple recipe series, can’t wait for more. Love that you take such a simple ingredient and create so many different recipes. Will be making these chicken breast soon. Thanks for some wonderful recipes, esp. the hot chicken salad.
I cant wait to try every single one of these… just beautiful Robyn!
i don’t use my slow cooker nearly enough and life hits warp speed here in about 1 week . . . egads, i’m not ready!
I’ve been using my slow cooker more and more…each time I do I wonder why it’s now always on the counter like my mixer (we know why…that sucker is HUGE!). I love this compilation of recipes; chicken will be in that cooker in a few, promise.
what I noticed for me this year that has nothing to do with food is how I still sort of feel the pressure of the school year. And yet no one in this house is in school (Happy Dance!!).
So many years of preparation and it becomes a rhythm that doesn’t just leave you it seems but I am going to try and remember that I actually have many more days of summer now that my youngest is graduated from college, employed and living on her own (would a second comment of Happy Dance here be too much?).
Oh man the quesadillas look awesome. I totally want them right now. Great list of chicken dishes
Such great recipes! thank you for sharing- found ya through the post! love your blog, we are starting a Cooking 101 class in our family homeschool and we’ll just have to use some of your great ideas and put ‘em to the test w my 3 boys/chefs.
following ya through my google homepage!
Are you able to use the chicken breasts frozen, or do they definitely need to be thawed? Thanks.
Hi Rhoda! Yes, that’s one of the best things about it. You can use frozen or thawed chicken.
They all look so delicious! Now I want chicken for dinner!!
Great idea! I have so many recipes that can use your slow cooker chicken recipe– noes few more. Will definitely be doing this!
Great recipes and nice and simple, just want I was looking for
Thank you