The other week, when I asked myself “what’s for dinner?” chicken thighs were on sale at the store. I picked some up, but wasn’t quite sure what to do with them. They became my compass ingredient for my weekly meal plan. And, knowing that mid-February weather chills us all, I knew that a hearty, warm stew would be a welcome meal at the end of a long workday.
The other good news – I had extra carrots and celery on hand. But, I needed an ingredient that would marry flavors and add a depth to the dish. I thought, what about French onion soup? What resulted is a simple chicken recipe that is full of flavor and veggies. It only takes five steps that you can throw together quickly in the morning before beginning your day.
Here’s how to make slow cooker chicken with French onion soup.
Ingredients:
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 pound miniature, colorful potatoes (I get a mix of purple, red, and yellow)
• 1 can French onion soup
• 2 pounds chicken thighs
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• Special equipment: slow cooker
Directions:
1. Wash and coarsely chop onions, potatoes carrots and celery – about 1 inch pieces. Add to the slow cooker pot
2. Add chicken thighs to the slow cooker pot
3. Mince and add garlic. Top with 1 teaspoon of thyme and a bay leaf
4. Pour a can of French onion soup on top of the chicken, and cover the pot
5. Cook on low for 8-10 hours
Doesn’t it look inviting? I served this warm, hearty stew with a crisp green salad. And, a slice of crusty, whole grain sourdough soaked up the stew beautifully! The chicken just melts in your mouth, and the veggies add a wonderful texture to the dish.
You can always switch up the vegetables in this dish. Carrots, celery, and onion are a good base, but you can always add other root vegetables like butternut squash, turnips, or rutabegas. You want to add vegetables that will stand up well to being cooked low and slow for a number of hours.
What’s your favorite slow cooker chicken stew? Let me know in the comments!
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