This post is sponsored by Hamilton Beach. However, all opinions, suggestions, recipes and content are my own.
Now that we’re well into the back-to-school routine, it’s time to kick back and enjoy the blessings of fall – however these are busy blessings that require chauffeuring, chaperoning and cheering from the stands. So, how am I supposed to provide a hot home cooked meal and gather the family round the table with everyone coming and going and looking at me for a ride? And, when I’m rewarded with a couple rare hours to take a break from mom mode, I’m often finishing up a work project or squeezing in a run — typically cooking dinner is not at the top of my priority list, even as a food blogger!
You parents with equally over-the-top schedules already know the two lifesaving words I’m going to say – SLOW COOKER! It was only just a few years ago that I fell in love with slow cooking, my prior history with the method was only that of an innocent child dutifully eating her dinner – I have some not-so-fond memories of old-school slow cooker meals. Mom, I know you’re reading this and it wasn’t you, I think mushy carrots and fatty meats were just culinary trends of the 70s.
These days, there are many creative and healthy recipes that can be made in a slow cooker. One of my favorite recent creations is a side dish recipe for Slow Cooker Caesar Artichokes. Side dishes, desserts, beverages – all these things can be made in a slow cooker. But, probably the most convenient slow cooker recipe is to make a big batch of beef, chicken or pork that can be rationed out over the week or frozen for later in the month. Since I’m a big fan of doing some global variation of chuck roast in the slow cooker (insane flavor and fall-apart fork tender), I thought I’d branch out and do some chicken breast — enough to last me through a few recipes for my family of 5!
Needless to say, I was pretty excited that Hamilton Beach sent me the Set ‘n Forget® 6 Qt. Programmable Slow Cooker With Spoon/Lid – the stainless-steel beauty is a real workhorse in the kitchen that will cook up ever your biggest batches in hands-free, stress-free style. It’s really helpful that this particular model has three modes — program, probe and manual. The “program mode” is super convenient for those SUPER busy days – just set the cook time and then when it’s up, the slower cooker automatically shifts over to warm. To avoid overcooking, I really appreciate the “probe mode” – here you stick a metal probe into the thickest part of a roast or other hunk of meat and, once the internal temperature you’ve indicated has been reached, it switches to warm.
Do you like to bring hot meals to holiday parties or pot luck gatherings? Another useful feature of this slow cooker is that it has travel-friendly clips that lock down the lid so you don’t end up with a big batch of chili all over your car. Want to get in on the fall slower cooker craze? I have a great chicken recipe below that can be used in three meal variations and I’m also hosting a giveaway for the Set ‘n Forget® 6 Qt. Programmable Slow Cooker with Spoon/Lid (bottom of post).
You get the idea — shred it up and use it in a zillion quick dinner recipes!
Slow Cooker Balsamic Honey Chicken Recipe
- 5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 1 cup chopped sweet onion (like 1015 or Vidalia)
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 ½ cup balsamic vinegar (don’t use your best)
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha (this can be omitted if you don’t want spicy)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Place chicken breasts in bottom of 6-quart slow cooker; cut into pieces if needed. Cover chicken with chopped onion
- In medium bowl, whisk together broth, vinegar, ketchup, honey, Worcestershire, sriracha, garlic, pepper and salt. Pour over chicken in slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 9 – 10 hours or high for 5 – 6 hours.
- Transfer chicken breasts out of liquid and place on rimmed baking sheet. Let cool for 10 minutes and then shred with fingers or fork.
- Take 4 cups of cooking liquid (discarding any fat) and place in medium sauce pan. Bring to a boil and simmer uncovered for approximately 30 – 40 minutes or until volume reduced in half.
- Drizzle approximately ¾ cup sauce over shredded chicken and lightly toss. Reserve remaining in refrigerator for use in other recipes.
- To serve, serve between a bun or with one of the three recipes below. Leftovers may be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for 3 months. Serves 20.
Balsamic Honey Chicken BBQ Baked Potato Recipe
- 1 lb. cooked, shredded Honey Balsamic Chicken (recipe above)
- 4 large russet potatoes
- ½ cup BBQ sauce (may use reserved sauce from chicken recipe)
- Suggested toppings: pico de gallo, fresh cilantro leaves and queso fresco crumbles
- Bake potatoes in microwave or oven until steaming and fluffy.
- Slice each potato lengthwise (without cutting through bottom) and top with ¼ pound warm shredded chicken.
- Drizzle with bbq sauce and favorite toppings.Serves 4.
Balsamic Honey Chicken with Fig & Snap Pea Salad Recipe
- 1 lb. cooked, shredded Honey Balsamic Chicken (recipe above)
- 6 ounces baby spring mix lettuce
- ½ pound figs, quartered
- 4 ounces sugar snap peas, halved lengthwise
- 2 ounces blue cheese crumbles
For dressing:
- 1/4 cup reserved cooked down sauce from chicken recipe (or any BBQ sauce)
- 1 tablespoon apple juice
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Divide lettuce among 4 plates and top each portion with ¼ pound shredded chicken.
- Add figs and sugar snaps; sprinkle with blue cheese
- In small bowl, whisk together sauce, juice, vinegar, oil, parsley and black pepper. Drizzle over salads. Serves 4.
Balsamic Honey Chicken Pineapple Pepper Stir Fry Recipe
You just get the photo today – recipe coming next week so check back!
To enter the giveaway for a Hamilton Beach Set ‘n Forget® 6 Qt. Programmable Slow Cooker with Spoon/Lid, just follow the rafflecopter instructions below:
I have a really good lemon pepper chicken I make in the crock pot and it is wonderful!
Chili with meat, beans and veggies would be my favourite slow-cook recipt.
I love my slow cooker especially in the fall! Thanks for sharing these great recipes!
Oh and my favorite slow cooker recipes are beef stew of course and slow cooker lasagna.
I love beef stew in a slow cooker!
This time of year, I always drag out my slow cooker. It’s just so easy and comforting!
My favorite slow cooker recipe is french toast casserole.It is made with the same ingredients as if you fried it, but it comes out much softer.
I do love to have the house smelling delicious when I get home from a day of work!!!! Worcestershire is one of my favorite flavorings!!!!
My favorite is either beef stew or chili.
Pulled pork is my favorite meal to make! I can’t tell you how excited I am to be tapering and have extra time to hit the store for chicken this am! I’ll post a pic tonight! Favorite blog to date. 🙂 🙂
Megs, what race are you tapering for?
The OC100, my first 50k trail race!!!
Oh, in the instructions it says to add hot sauce, but the ingredients doesn’t have it. What kind and how much? I have tabasco and sriracha on hand. Maybe I’ll dice some jalapenos and throw them in to the crock pot! 🙂 Making sandwiches tonight!!!
oops, I was tinkering with it and forgot to put in the list — I used just a little Sriracha, really just personal preference for “heat” — good luck on the trail race!
((RUNS TO GET OUT SLOW COOKER as it is LASAGNE TIME!!))
This looks delicious!!!
Any slow cooker chicken recipe is my fave!
Love, love, love the slow cooker at this time of year! And this recipe sounds fantastic–so versatile!
I like to make a pot roast in some beef bullion, onions, potatoes, carrots, celery etc.
My favorite slow cooker meal is Make-Ahead Slow Cooker Beef Stew. It is so delicious and my family loves it!
My favorite thing to cook in the slow cooker is a pot roast with onions.
Ooooh this sounds wonderful, and I am using my slow cooker once a week, so I am always on the hunt for new recipes. I love that you used it in a baked potato, perfect timing as I am starting to carb load for chicago! If I want to destroy my 2:49, I must pump my body full of good eats, pinning right now!
Girl, goo luck in CHICAGO, rooting for you!
Pinned: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/554998354053593118/
I have this crockpot and LOVE it!!!!
Favorite thing to make in it is bone broth.. YUM!
love pulled pork or chicken in the slow cooker, but I will definitely have to try that balsamic honey chicken!! Looks so good!
I was just looking for something I could make in the slow cooker for this weekend as we’re having people over and I am just useless after running 18 miles. I usually just make meatballs in there so I am in need of recipes! Thanks!
Since I don’t own a slow cooker I don’t have a favorite recipe, but I’ve always wanted to try pulled pork.
I don’t have my own slow cooker but I love a good vegetarian chili that’s been made for me in one
My Favorite Slow Cooker Recipe Is Chicken And Dumplings.
my favorite is just spicy chili and rice
My favorite crock pot recipe is chili – yum!
My favorite slow cooker recipe is Macaroni and Cheese Soup.
I like beef stew in a slow cooker!
I make homemade vegetable soup on the crockpot.
Reading this as I have chicken in my slow cooker 🙂 Bookmarking for future meals! That pineapple stir fry looks delicious
I love taco soup. Ground beef, kidney beans, pinto beans, tomatoes and chilies and tomatoes in the crockpot.
I love my chili.
I love how versatile almost any slow cooker meal is…You can literally put it on top of any vegetable, rice, potato, and bread. I do not use mine enough, but now with so many recipes out there and I have a Pinterest board titled “Slow Cooker Meals” I better start experimenting. Thanks for sharing!
beef stew and chili are my favorites
SLOW COOKER CHICKEN – SWOON! Seriously. I loveeeeee when meat just MELTS in your mouth! 🙂 😛
Oh wait… Did that come out wrong?
I love making roast with veggies in the crockpot.
My favorite slow cooker recipe is a shredded chicken mexican dish. It’s great for burritos, salads, tacos or just by itself for easy meals throughout the week.
OMG that balsamic honey chicken looks INSANE!!!!!!!!
I love to make potato soup in the crockpot.
My favorite slow cooker recipe is chicken, I add my homemade salsa, cumin, some other spices, and we have the best chicken tacos.
i love to make beef stew in my slow cooker.
My favorite slow cooker recipe is Mediterranean Roast Turkey
Serve this slow cooker roast with mashed potatoes and garnish with fresh thyme sprigs, if desired.
Yield: 8 servings (serving size: about 4 ounces turkey and about 1/3 cup onion mixture)
Ingredients
2 cups chopped onion (about 1 large)
1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives
1/2 cup julienne-cut drained oil-packed sun-dried tomato halves
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon Greek seasoning mix (such as McCormick’s)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 (4-pound) boneless turkey breast, trimmed
1/2 cup fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth, divided
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Thyme sprigs (optional)
Preparation
Combine first 9 ingredients in an electric slow cooker. Add 1/4 cup chicken broth. Cover and cook on low for 7 hours.
Combine remaining 1/4 cup broth and flour in a small bowl; stir with a whisk until smooth. Add broth mixture to slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 30 minutes. Cut turkey into slices.
oooh, thanks for the whole recipe — this sounds fabulous and I’m going to try it!
I love to make beef stew in my slow cooker, beef cubes, celery, onion, potatoes, carrots gravy it always comes out perfect
My favorite slow cooker recipe is crockpot lasagna!
You always have such great presentation, makes me want to try it.
OH BTW my favorite slow cooker recipe is Bar B Que pork ribs, low and slow with a dry rub
aww, thanks Theresa — I appreciate that!
I like a nice thick beef stew, especially this time of year when the weather is cooling down. I like to load it up with potatoes.
I actually like to make bbq chicken in the slow cooker
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I love a seasoned chuck roast that I cook and then shred for tacos, bbq beef, etc. So simple but so yummy and versatile.
This is one of my go-to favorites also — I actually just put put a chuck roast slow cooker recipe yesterday!
I love making Chili in my slow cooker. I never use a recipe because I’ve been making it for many years. I do use ground turkey now, it really makes this meal healthier. I will also add fresh, diced tomatoes, adds a fresh flavor. 🙂
We have a white chicken chili. We shred chicken like you did for your recipe and ad din white chili beans and a packet of white chicken chili sauce…and wait;)
It’s hard to WAIT when the slow cooker smells start wafting through the house!
Brisket tacos….lots of garlic, onions, apple cider vinegar, and beef broth. Delish.
I like making lasagna in the slow cooker
I love pulled pork BBQ!
Entered the rafflecopter form as “Wild Orchid”
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
you always have the best recipes!! i love chili in the crockpot. something so basic, but such a fall/winter classic.
I love making applesauce in a crockpot. It’s pretty simple, just cut (peel if you like) the apples and put them in. Add some cinnamon and sugar and voila-a few hours later, some delicious applesauce.
I never thought about making applesauce in the slow cooker — but that sounds wonderful. Thanks for the idea!
Kalbalsi, pineapple, brown sugar together—super yummy!
Take a chuck roast and cover it with onion soup mix then pour half a pot of cold coffee over the top. Coffee Pot Roast
Potato soup made with frozen potatoes, cream of chicken soup, a few other things and cream cheese added at the end. Top with cheese and bacon bits.
Hard to beat chili in the crock pot – yummmmm!!
My favorite is stewed lamb with veggies.
I love a simple barbeque chicken legs recipe in the slow cooker. A bottle of bbq sauce and chicken is all you need!
i would have to say my favorite is beef stew
We love slow cooked meat for burritos or tacos!
We love to make chilli with beef stew meat.
I like to make a curry by first browning onions and garlic in coconut oil then adding my spices, then putting that in a slow cooker with various vegetables, chicken, a can of tomatoes and some coconut milk
love making chicken biryani in it
i love to make jack fruit pulled pork in the crock pot. it is soo good and easy.
Our family loves BBQ ribs cooked in the slow cooker.
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I love making pinto beans the way my mom taught me with the slow cooker. We use cheese to thicken the sauce.
Pulled pork made with root beer and honey BBQ sauce for sliders!
I love our cheesy tater tot casserole in the crock pot !
My favorite crock pot recipe is White Chili.
You use chicken instead of hamburger and white beans – oh yum!
thank you
This shredded chicken recipe looks great. My favorite slow cooker meal is pulled pork.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork – Pork simmered in root beer makes all the difference. Topped with your favorite BBQ sauce, it’s sure to bring rave reviews – 1 (2 pound) pork tenderloin – 1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle root beer – 1 (18 ounce) bottle your favorite barbecue sauce – 8 hamburger buns, split and lightly toasted – Place the pork tenderloin in a slow cooker; pour the root beer over the meat. Cover and cook on low until well cooked and the pork shreds easily, 6 to 7 hours. Note: the actual length of time may vary according to individual slow cooker. Drain well. Stir in barbecue sauce. Serve over hamburger buns.
I love turkey quinoa chili in the crockpot!
I like to put 3 different types of beans, salsa, hot sauce, onions, and tomatoes in a slow cooker.
My favorite is Hot Fudge Peanut Butter Cake in the slow cooker. It is so easy and so sinfully rich and warm, with ice cream or milk.
I love so many slow cooker recipes. One of my favorites is corned beef and cabbage with potatoes and carrots.
My favorite slow cooker recipe is Swiss Steak made with fresh tomatoes, onions and top round steak.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
My favorite slow cooker recipe is Pot Roast made with potatoes, onions, carrots and celery.
I make a really tasty Chicken and Dumplings in the crock pot but during the winter the crock pot is my biggest means of cooking but it is on it’s last leg. I love crock pot cooking and am always searching for new recipes.
my favorite slow cooker recipe is pulled pork, the secret is the barbecue sauce I will not use store bought I make my own, yum!
I love making bbq pulled pork so so good
I like a delicious stew or soup for a crock pot meal.
I would like a bbq pulled pork slow cooked sandwich.
One think I enjoy preparing is a slow cooked pot roast with potatoes and carrots
I love making chili and pulled chicken in the slow cooker it feed all 7 of us and with being a busy mom it really helps a lot.
Pot roast cooked with onions, carrots, garlic, seasoning, and red potatoes.
My favorite slow cooker recipe is green chili smothered pork chops.
My favorite slow cooker recipe is a 3 bean turkey chili. My whole family loves it and it is healthy.
My favorite slow cooker recipe is the one for Jambalaya. I use the base recipe for it that she gave me and I like to add a few of my own spices and herbs. I love the way the slow cooker helps all of the spices simmer all day so that you can that tangy/spice taste to it.
My favorite slow cooker recipe is a turkey chili I kind of made up. I add stewed tomatoes, ground turkey, garlic, onions and large celery chunks along with spices.
I like to make vegetarian chili in a slow cooker.
My favorite slow cooker recipe is my husband’s favorite of beef and mushroom stroganoff.
My favorite thing to make in a crock pot is a Sunday roast – simple to make, just sprinkle with onion and garlic powder, add beef bouillon and water, and set it on high for several hours until the meat is soft enough to shred with a fork. mmmm
My favorite slow cooker recipe would be a big beef roast with tomatoes, carrots, onions, garlic!
My favorite slow cooker recipe is pork that I can use to make things like pulled pork sandwiches and carnitas.
beef stew in a slow cooker
I love making homemade chili and beef stew in crockpots. I tend to use all fresh ingredients as the flavors are so much more intense.
I love my slow cooker! I use it at least once a week but sometimes more. My favorite recipe is pork tenderloin with ratel, potatoes, carrots, onions & celery. It will feed my family of 6 for a couple of days!
My favorite is beef stew! I love to have it on low all day and then have it ready in time for dinner.
I make chicken buffalo dip in the slow cooker- I put together chicken, blue cheese, cheddar cheese, cream cheese and hot sauce in there and mix it all and let it cook. My daughter’s favorite.
Thanks for the giveaway… our favorite is a Guinness Beef Stew !
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