Crockpot Entries with Fresh Tomatoes and Chicken
Regardless of the weather, crockpots are always in season. The stove and oven cause the house to heat to an uncomfortable temperature while you are fixing dinner. Crockpots just sit on the countertop preparing the meal while you do other tasks, never change the house temperature, and always make life easier for the family. Many of the modern crockpots have a timer that turns off the heat when the cooking time is done. The many crockpot recipes allow the cook to create nearly any meal quickly and efficiently. Crockpot chicken recipes are especially popular because of the fresh vegetables that are often included.
You may find a recipe that sounds inviting with the exception of one minor ingredient. There is usually no problem with excluding a spice or vegetable from a recipe. Sometimes the recipe will identify an ingredient as optional or give several choices. Crockpot recipes require the amount of liquid that called for in the recipe, layering of the contents according to the directions and the lid to remain closed unless there is a direction to add an ingredient after the other ingredients have been cooking. If you choose to eliminate sage seasoning, be aware that it will change the taste slightly.
Fresh tomatoes and chicken are perfect crockpot combinations that we can depend on year-round. Watch for chicken to go on sale and buy extra to keep in the freezer. It is so convenient to know that you can start a crockpot dinner in the morning thanks to prior planning. Fresh peppers, tomatoes, and carrots combine with chicken, tomato sauce and tomato paste in the following recipe that will be ready to eat when you arrive home.
Ingredients –
- 3 medium chicken breasts cut in half down the center
- 16-ounce can of tomato sauce
- small can of tomato paste
- ¼ cup water
- large carrot, peeled and chopped
- 8 button mushrooms, washed, and sliced
- 1 small can kidney beans, drained
- 3 medium ripe tomatoes cut into large slices
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cayenne pepper
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- ½ cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
Preparation:
Lightly grease a large skillet and heat on high. Brown the chicken breasts on both sides and place them on the bottom of the crockpot dish. Combine the seasonings and sprinkle over the chicken. Combine the tomato sauce, tomato paste, and water in a small mixing bowl. Stir until blended. Pour over the chicken. Put the carrots in the liquid around the chicken. Scatter the mushrooms, beans, tomatoes, onion, and pepper over the chicken and around the sides. Set crockpot on low heat and cook for 10 hours. Sprinkle the top of each serving with shredded Mozzarella cheese.
