Tag Archives: slow cooker

Meal Prep: Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa Bowls

Friday, April 27, 2018 at 11:47 am by

Meal prep is all the rage. Making time for meal prep might seem a little intimidating, but with these Test Kitchen tips, it’s easy to turn meal prep from a headache into a habit. Whether you have your #MealPrepSunday routine down or are simply sick of grabbing canned soup or going out to eat on your lunch break, Mediterranean chicken quinoa bowls are a delicious meal you can easily prep for the week ahead.

Slow Cooker Chili Mac

The Test Kitchen originally developed mediterranean chicken quinoa bowls as a recipe option for using leftover chicken. We included the bowls in a group of meal planning recipes to make using our slow cooker basic shredded chicken. Instead of portioning the chicken out for three separate dinners during the week, use it to help prep your lunches.

Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa Bowl Meal Prep

To make meal prep a breeze, do your cooking over the weekend so your meals are ready and waiting when the busy work week starts.

Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa Bowl Meal Prep

Slow cookers and rice cookers are great meal prep tools. We used both to help prepare the chicken quinoa bowls. Over the weekend, make basic shredded chicken in your Hamilton Beach® slow cooker and quinoa (brown rice would also be delicious in these bowls) in your Hamilton Beach® rice cooker.

Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa Bowl Meal Prep

Once the chicken and quinoa are cooked, you’re ready to assemble the bowls for the week. We filled five to-go containers (any containers that seal will work), with shredded chicken, quinoa, and a variety of Mediterranean ingredients. Chickpeas, ripe tomatoes, feta cheese, artichokes, cucumbers, and olives add tons of flavor and color to your weekday lunches.

Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa Bowl Meal Prep

We topped the bowls with a creamy greek dressing. You can easily whip up a homemade dressing in your Hamilton Beach® single-serve blender (another helpful meal prep tool) or use your favorite store-bought variety. Pour your dressing of choice into mini to-go containers (you can buy them online or at the grocery store). They fit perfectly on top of the other ingredients so you can seal the salad and the dressing in the same container.

Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa Bowl Meal Prep

Say goodbye to sad desk lunch and hello to bright, fresh Mediterranean chicken quinoa bowls. For the full recipe, click here. 



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CATEGORIES: Everyday Recipes, Healthy Eating, main courses, salads

Slow Cooker Easy Matzo Ball Soup

Thursday, March 29, 2018 at 11:49 am by

If you haven’t tried matzo ball soup, you’re missing out. Think comforting chicken soup for the soul mixed with chicken and dumplings. This Jewish deli staple is a simple, satisfying soup and is a welcome addition to your Passover Seder or weeknight dinner table.

Slow Cooker Matzoh Ball Soup

This easy slow cooker matzo ball soup recipe cooks from start to finish in your Hamilton Beach® slow cooker.  We used a grocery store shortcut and bought a rotisserie chicken to use in the soup. Buying rotisserie chicken is an easy (and not to mention, a huge time-saver) way to add protein to your meals throughout the week.

Remove the chicken from the bones and shred. Be sure to reserve the schmaltz (or chicken fat) that collects at the bottom of the rotisserie chicken container. The fat will add lots of flavor and richness to the soup.

Slow Cooker Matzoh Ball Soup

Then make the matzo balls. In a large bowl, stir together eggs, matzo meal, schmaltz, chicken stock, fresh parsley, baking powder, salt and pepper. Cover the mixture and refrigerate.

Slow Cooker Matzoh Ball Soup

In the slow cooker crock, mix shredded chicken, more schmaltz (see, we told you it would come in handy), chicken stock, garlic, carrots, celery, onion, parsley sprigs, salt, and pepper. Cook the soup broth HIGH for 2 to 3 hours or on LOW for 4 to 6 hours.

Before the soup is completely finished cooking, make your matzo balls (we used two spoons to help form the balls). When there is 30 mins left on HIGH or an hour left on LOW, drop the matzo balls into the soup broth. The balls cook in the soup broth and soak up the all the delicious flavor. Cook until the matzo balls are firm.

Slow Cooker Matzoh Ball Soup

Remove the parsley sprigs from the soup and serve. Garnish the soup with fennel fronds or a little bit fresh parsley, whichever you prefer.

Slow Cooker Matzoh Ball Soup

Serve this hearty soup, packed with shredded chicken and tasty dumplings, as the main course or serve it alongside other Passover favorites like charoset and brisket for a beautiful holiday meal.

Slow Cooker Easy Matzo Ball Soup
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Instructions
  1. Remove skin and bones from chicken. Shred the meat and reserve the schmaltz (chicken fat). Set aside.
  2. For the matzo balls, in a large bowl, stir together eggs, matzo meal, 2 tablespoons schmaltz, ¼ cup chicken stock, parsley, baking powder and 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Cover and refrigerate.
  3. In a slow cooker crock, stir together shredded chicken, remaining schmaltz, 28 ounces chicken stock, garlic, carrots, celery, onion, parsley, 2 teaspoons salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
  4. Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours or LOW for 4 to 6 hours.
  5. Meanwhile, using rounded tablespoons, roll matzo mixture into balls. With 30 minutes remaining on HIGH or 1 hour on LOW drop the balls into the soup mixture. Cook until matzo balls are firm.
  6. Remove cooked parsley sprigs before serving and garnish with fennel fronds or additional parsley, if desired.
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CATEGORIES: passover, soup & stews

Slow Cooker Lemon Thyme Whole Chicken

Thursday, March 15, 2018 at 2:15 pm by

Did you know you could cook an entire chicken in a slow cooker? That’s right. It’s one of the Test Kitchen’s favorite methods for cooking whole chicken. Not only does it allow you to keep the oven off or free it up for making sides dishes or dessert, slow cooking chicken leaves you with a juicy, tender bird.

Slow Cooker Lemon Thyme Chicken

Slow cooker lemon thyme chicken is the perfect springtime recipe to have on hand. Make it to serve for dinner on the patio as the weather warms or for your Sunday meal prep. You could serve it for dinner on Sunday and save leftovers to toss into salads, tacos, or rice bowls throughout the week. Winner winner chicken dinner, indeed.

Slow Cooker Lemon Thyme Chicken

Lemon thyme chicken is especially delicious thanks to a homemade herb butter we put under the skin before cooking. Use a Hamilton Beach® hand mixer to whip butter until it’s light and fluffy. Add parsley, thyme, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper and beat until the herb butter is well blended. Then use your hand to spread the butter under the skin of the chicken breast. It gets a little messy but it’s totally worth the end results.

Slow Cooker Lemon Thyme Chicken

Quarter an onion and add half to the slow cooker crock and gently place the chicken on top. The onions will help lift the bird off of the bottom of the crock, so the lower half of the bird won’t cook in the juices and get soggy. Stuff the cavity with the rest of the onion, herbs, and lemon for a beautiful presentation and to add extra flavor to the meat.  Cook on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours or LOW for 6 to 8 hours.

Slow Cooker Lemon Thyme Chicken

Slow cooker lemon thyme chicken puts the spring in spring chicken. Garnished with extra lemon slices and sprigs of fresh thyme, this beautiful bird will surely fly off the table. Serve with a simple spring salad or shred leftovers for meals throughout the week. No need to pick up a rotisserie chicken at the store when you can make your own whole chicken at home in your slow cooker.

Slow Cooker Lemon Thyme Chicken

Slow Cooker Lemon Thyme Whole Chicken
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Servings
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Slow Cooker Lemon Thyme Whole Chicken
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  1. Using an electric hand mixer, beat butter on high speed until light and fluffy.
  2. Add parsley, thyme, lemon juice, salt, lemon zest and black pepper. Beat until blended, about 1 minute.
  3. Gently slide one hand under the chicken skin over the breast to loosen the membranes.
  4. Spread butter mixture under the skin of chicken breast.
  5. Add 1/2 of the onion to slow cooker crock. Place chicken on top of onions. Fill cavity with remaining onions and 3 sprigs thyme. Cover and refrigerator overnight.
  6. Cook on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours or LOW for 6 to 8 hours. Chicken is well done when meat temperature registers 165°F in the breast or 175°F-180°F in the thickest part of the thigh.
  7. Garnish with fresh thyme and lemon slices.
Recipe Notes

Test Kitchen Tip: USDA recommends 165°F as the safe eating temperature for chicken. Chicken is done when meat temperature registers 165°F in the breast or 175°F-180°F in the thickest part of the thigh. For more information on food safety, visit foodsafety.gov. Follow steps 1 through 5 to prepare chicken the night before. Cook the chicken following steps 6 and 7.

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CATEGORIES: Everyday Recipes, main courses, Slow cooker

Slow Cooker Goulash

Thursday, February 22, 2018 at 11:16 am by

If you’re hunkering down for the winter, chances are you’re cooking more at home. Soups, stews, pot roast – it’s high time for comfort food. If you want a stick-to-your-bones recipe that’s perfect for those 30 degrees and below days, make slow cooker goulash.

Slow Cooker Goulash

There is a lot of conversation around goulash and how to make this popular wintertime dish. While we aren’t calling our recipe Hungarian goulash, the dish did originate in Hungary. It’s a meat and vegetable stew seasoned with lots of paprika and other spices.

Slow Cooker Goulash

North Americans have reworked the recipe into a more familiar Hamburger Helper-style dish – and we aren’t complaining. The slightly spicy sauce, ground beef, and pasta combine for a comforting  meal both the kids and adults at the table will love.

Slow Cooker Goulash

Make the meat sauce in your slow cooker, then stir in cooked elbow macaroni and plenty of cheddar cheese. Switch the slow cooker to WARM and melt a little extra cheese on top before serving or transfer to a baking dish and melt the cheese under the broiler for a few minutes. No matter how you serve it, slow cooker goulash is sure to warm you from the inside out this winter.

Slow Cooker Goulash

 

Slow Cooker Goulash
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Slow Cooker Goulash
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  1. In a large skillet over medium-high, heat oil. Add onion and garlic. Cook until onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in ground beef, cooking until browned, about 5 minutes. Drain fat if necessary.
  2. Add meat mixture to slow cooker crock with tomato puree, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, bay leaf, paprika, salt and black pepper.
  3. Cover slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 3 1/2 to 4 hours or LOW for 7 to 8 hours.
  4. Meanwhile, cook pasta to al dente according to package directions. Drain and stir into crock with 1 cup shredded cheese.
  5. Top with remaining 1 cup shredded cheddar.
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CATEGORIES: Everyday Recipes, main courses

Slow Cooker Cajun Gumbo

Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at 12:40 pm by

If you’re celebrating Mardi Gras, you have to put this slow cooker cajun gumbo on your Fat Tuesday menu. Not only is gumbo a staple stew of the bayou, it’s also a classic southern comfort food dish you can serve throughout the winter.

Slow Cooker Gumbo

This recipe is packed with meat, vegetables, and seafood and comes together with the help of you Hamilton Beach® slow cooker and rice cooker.

First, you’ll need to make a roux. The roux will act as a thickening agent and add a rich flavor (and colour) to the gumbo. In a skillet over medium heat, heat oil and add flour to make the roux. Whisking constantly, cook the roux until it turns a chocolate brown color. This should take about 15 minutes.

Slow Cooker Gumbo

When the roux is finished, add celery, peppers, and onions to the skillet and cook for a couple of minutes. Add garlic and cook for another 2 minutes, then transfer to the slow cooker crock.

Slow Cooker Gumbo

Add chicken broth, tomatoes, creole seasoning, chicken, sausage, and okra to the slow cooker crock. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 ½ to 4 hours or LOW for 6 ½ to 7 hours. At the end of the cooking cycle, stir in shrimp and cook until they are just cooked through (about 20 minutes).

Slow Cooker Gumbo

While the gumbo cooks, use your Hamilton Beach® rice cooker to make white rice. You can serve the gumbo over rice or use an ice cream scoop and serve with a “dollop” of rice on top and some fresh herbs for a nice presentation.

Slow Cooker Gumbo

The flavours in this gumbo will transport you to Bourbon Street for the night. The andouille sausage adds a cajun kick while the okra and fresh shrimp speak to classic New Orleans cuisine. All this stew needs is a dash of Louisiana hot sauce and a piece of crispy French bread. Cheers to Carnival.

Slow Cooker Gumbo

Slow Cooker Cajun Gumbo
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Servings
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Slow Cooker Cajun Gumbo
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Servings
8
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Servings:
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Instructions
  1. In a medium skillet over medium, heat oil and add flour to make a roux. Whisking constantly, cook roux until it turns a chocolate brown color. Lower heat as necessary to keep from burning. This will take about 15 minutes.
  2. Stir in celery, green pepper and onion. Cook 1 to 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook another 2 minutes. Transfer mixture to slow cooker crock.
  3. Add chicken broth, tomatoes, Creole seasoning, chicken, sausage and okra to slow cooker.
  4. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 ½ to 4 hours or LOW for 6 ½ to 7 hours. Stir in shrimp. Cook just until shrimp is cooked through.
  5. Serve over rice.
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CATEGORIES: main courses, soup & stews