Easy Peasy Chicken in the Crockpot

Doesn't this look like the MOST delicious chicken dish EVER?? I mean, see how creamy and comforting this looks? Let me tell you....Oh wait, you can't see it? Huh. I suppose that *might* be because I didn't take a picture? I know I know, why even post a recipe if you don't have a picture, right? Well sorry peeps, but this dish is seriously THAT good, you don't even need a picture...

It originated from an allrecipes.com recipe called "Jennie's Heavenly Slow Cooker Chicken"
This looked divine, except I don't have cream of mushroom soups on hand, and I didn't have a container of cream cheese with chives either. So, technically it's not Jennie's Heavenly chicken, I suppose. Maybe I could call it, "Cara's Kinda Sorta But Not Really Chicken in the Crockpot". Whew, that's long. How about "Amazing Slow Cooker Chicken", better?

Amazing Slow Cooker Chicken

1 whole chicken cut up (as in, the thighs, breasts, wings all separated)
4 Tbl butter
1/4 c. flour
milk
cut up mushrooms
2 cloves garlic
1 packet dry Italian seasoning
1 package cream cheese
chives
1/2 c dry white wine
spaghetti noodles

First make your white sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan, add mushrooms and the garlic, saute until mushrooms are soft, add flour and cook one minute, then add enough milk to get the right consistency (A little thinner than pudding consistency). Add the package of cream cheese, wine, chopped up chives and seasoning packet. Place chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker, and pour sauce over the top. Cook on low all day. I made spaghetti noodles and placed the chicken mixture over the top with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Crockpot Overnight Oatmeal

My girls love oatmeal, but it's usually the instant packet kind, not that there is anything horrible about it, but I would prefer it to be the homemade kind. I found this recipe on allrecipes.com and decided to try it out and oh.my.gracious. It is SO delicious and full of flavor! I put it in the crockpot around 9:30 the night before and it was perfect at 6:00 in the morning. If you've never tried steel cut outs, now is the time, it has a different texture than the traditional oatmeal and mixed with the apples and cranberries makes it all that much better. Now, I modified this to our liking, I used whole milk and eliminated the nuts (my girls aren't big nut fans).

Overnight Oatmeal
2 cups steel cut oats
2 cups diced apples
1 cup dried cranberries
3 cups water
1 cup milk
1 Tbl cinnamon
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
2 tsp butter

Combine ingredients in your slow cooker, set on low and let cook overnight!

Verdict? Delicious! Alayna and Emma loved it, Rachel didn't think there was much flavor. I will absolutely be making this again:)

Slow Cooked Beef Fajitas

After enjoying authentic Mexican food for a whole week, I knew I needed to find some good recipes to make at home. Especially after realizing that mailing guacamole and pico de gallo wouldn't be an option (insert grumble here). I was so taken away with the food at our resort. Authentic, gourmet, delicious Mexican food. So, I immediately tried a new guacamole recipe and promptly threw it away (faaaar too much lime juice, very bitter). Bummer. Then I tried a pico de gallo recipe that just didn't cut it. Crud.

Feeling a bit of an after-vacation let down, I found this recipe on allrecipes.com. It is made in the slow cooker which works PERFECT for me! And the Mexican Rice is so tasty with the fajitas, even the girls loved it!

Slow-Cooked Steak Fajitas

1 (1 1/2 pound) beef flank steak
1 can diced tomatoes with garlic and onion, undrained
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 medium onion, sliced
1 medium green pepper, julienned
1 Tbl. fresh minced cilantro
2 tsp. cornstarch
1 Tbl water
flour tortillas, sour cream, salsa

Thinly slice steak across the grain into strips; place in 5 qt. slow cooker. Add tomatoes, garlic, cumin, chili powder and salt. Cover and cook on low for 7 hours. Add onion, peppers and cilantro Cover and cook 1-2 hours longer or until meat is tender.

Combine cornstarch and water until smooth; gradually stir into slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 30 minutes or until slightly thickened. Fill tortilla up with meat mixture, sour cream and salsa.

And just for the record, this picture doesn't do it justice, lol!

Linking to:
Tasty Tuesday
Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
Crockpot Wednesday

Crockpot Chili

This is hands down my favorite chili recipe. My sister-in-law gave me this recipe a few years ago, and it is not the only only one I make. Now, she likes to include jalapeno peppers, but I don't want to feel like I'm on fire while eating because then my nose runs, my eyes water, and I forget how stinkin good the chili is. Unfortunately I don't have a pic, forgot to take one last week when I made it. Linking up to Crockpot Wednesdays

Crockpot Chili

6 slices bacon chopped
1 lb. hamburger
1lb. ground turkey
1/2 onion, chopped
1/2 green pepper, chopped

Brown the above 5 together

1 pkg. McCormick chili seasoning
1 large can Bush's baked beans
1 can kidney beans
1 jar salsa or picante sauce
1 small can crushed tomatoes

Simmer 1 hour on stove top or cook on low 4-6 hours

Slow-Cooker Beef Stroganoff

1 3/4 lbs. boneless beef round steak, cubed
1 T vegetable oil
1/2 c. red wine or beef broth
2 Tbl. all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
1/4 tsp. dried basil
10 3/4 oz. can cream of mushroom soup
i pkg dry onion soup mix
8 oz. pkg fresh mushrooms, chopped
1/2 c sour cream
8 oz pkg wide egg noodles OR mashed potatoes

Brown meat in 1 Tbl oil over medium heat for 8-10 minutes. Add wine or broth, stirring to loosen particles from bottom of pan. Combine flour and seasonings in the bottom of a slow cooker. Place meat and mixture in slow cooker, toss to coat. Add mushroom soup and soup mix. Stir in mushrooms. Cover and cook on high setting 3- 3.5 hours, or on low setting 6-7 hours. Stir in sour cream, and serve over noodles or mashed potatoes.


I made this last night, and it was FANTASTIC!!! The kids devoured it. I made mashed potatoes instead of noodles, which I think was better. Enjoy!!!