Crock♦Pot + Chicken = Yum

Last year, on my birthday, I came home from work and found a surprise awaiting me. No card was on this large, wrapped box. It was a total shock when I began to unwrap this mystery. I was in denial if the actual content could really be what the box indicated. Lo and behold, when I opened up the box, it was as pictured. A Crock♦Pot. I knew the identity of the gift-giver as soon as I opened the box. What a dear friend and a grand surprise.

Isn't she beautiful?

"Why are you excited over a Crock♦Pot?" You ask. The slow cooker I had was coming to the end of its life...23 years old to be exact. Plus it was an odd contraption. One in which I shall say not speak ill of the dead. Just trust me, I buried it in peace.

Ever since that joyful surprise, I've been purposefully trying to make more meals which include my lovely Crock♦Pot. After all, one needs to make a new appliance feel wanted.

Here are just two recipes I thought I'd share. Enjoy.

Chicken & Rice
(not just bland old chicken & rice...stick with me...)

4 chicken breasts
3/4 c brown rice
2 1/2 c water
1 can cream of chicken condensed soup
1 envelope dry Onion Recipe Soup & Dip Mix
1/2 can water (use the empty soup can)

Place chicken breasts in the Crock♦Pot, turn on low (6-8 hrs). Meanwhile, pour the brown rice in a fine mesh strainer; run water over the rice until all the rice has been 'hit' with water. Place a sauce pan on the stove over med-high heat. Pour the wet rice into the sauce pan (it will sizzle). Stir until you don't hear sizzling. (process makes the brown rice not mush up after cooking) Add 2 1/2 c water, cover with lid and let come to a boil. After about 10 min. Turn off heat. (just want to cook it a little so the rice and the chicken get done at the same time. Brown rice takes longer than white to cook. Trust me. I learned the hard way.) Open up your can of soup and 1/2 the dry soup mix envelope. Add those two ingredients plus 1/2 can of water to the rice and stir. Now, place this mixture over the chicken. Sprinkle the remaining dry soup mix over the top of the rice and chicken. (don't ask why I sprinkled the remaining mix over the rice and chicken...let's call it an artistic moment, shall we?!) Cover and go on with your life. If life allows, check the chicken (should read 165') about 5 hours into 'crock♦potting. If you done and your Crock♦Pot has a featured called 'warm', set it to that while you wait for the magic super hour.

Dig in.

Another recipe we've enjoyed is this fabulous chicken recipe with only three ingredients, also made in....wait for it....my Crock♦Pot. My niece sent me this recipe after she found it on Pinterest. How did we ever manage supper before Pinterest?

So, let me in on some of your best Crock♦Pot recipes. I'd love to try them.