Croockpot Herb Chicken

Ok, seriously, I am becoming quite fond of my crockpot. I never used to pay much attention to it and felt like I could only make a couple of meals in it. Well, I am learning (I love to learn) that using my crockpot is pretty handy. With 2 kids and a fairly busy schedule (I know it's just the beginning), I am trying to learn how to cook while I can't be home right at dinner time without eating out. So crockpot it is. It is great for having meat ready when you get home. Plus, slow cooking meat with their bones in and the juices from that (like chicken) are so important for your gut by putting healthy bacteria in it. Not only that but the collagen and gelatin help your skin, nails, and hair grow healthy and strong. Plus it helps fight infection and strengthens our own bones (read some material HERE and HERE).

Anyways, I found a seasonings packet at Aldi and put it to use to give a different spin on chicken. I have been buying chicken thighs with the bones still in them. The great thing about thighs? Cheaper. Let me repeat it again. It's quite a bit cheaper than chicken breasts and still great for you (I know we've been conditiioned to only eat boneless, skinless, dry chicken breast in the past but NO MORE people!). So don't be afraid to mix it up. Plus, it has a slighlty different texture and moistness than breasts. So if you're looking to trim your grocery budget, that's one thing you can do! 

Ok, to the recipe already....the flavor was great and you can let it cook all day long. Easy to just throw in. I made mashed potatoes because it's my hubby's preference, but you can cook them with the chicken and carrots all day as well. 

Ingredients:

Chicken thighs bone-in (1 per person or 2 if big eater in family)

seasonings packet*

2 cups carrots

1-2 pounds of red potatoes (or whatever you have)

chicken stock

Directions:

1. Take out crockpot, plug in. 

2. Fill bottom with chicken broth/stock and sprinkle half packet of seasoning.

3. Put skinless, bone-in thighs inside. Surround with carrots. Season with rest of packet and make sure broth is halfway up chicken thighs at least. 

4. Cut and add potatoes in as well if you'd like them in the pot, but I made mashed potatoes this time. 

4. Turn on low and walk away.

5. Cook all day and make mashed potatoes right before dinner. 

6. Heat some peas and corn by steaming in the microwave with a glass covered dish or on stove. 

7. Take out each thigh and remove (I used tongs) bone. It's super easy and the chicken is so moist. 

8. Enjoy! 

*If you don't have a seasoning packet then put in dried onion or onion powder, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, salt, and pepper.