Cody Casey
Crockpot chicken and potatoes is a simple, hearty, and delicious meal that can be easily made in a slow cooker. The recipe typically includes chicken, potatoes, and a sauce or gravy, with optional additions of vegetables and seasonings. This one-pot meal is perfect for busy weeknights, as it requires minimal prep time and hands-off cooking. The slow-cooking method ensures juicy and tender chicken, while the potatoes are cooked to perfection. With its versatility and ease of preparation, crockpot chicken and potatoes have become a favourite for many families.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Chicken, potatoes, olive oil, dried herbs, onion, garlic, chicken broth, dry white wine, cornstarch, fresh parsley, baby carrots, green beans, chicken thighs, chicken breasts, rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper, flour, butter, Italian seasoning, chicken stock |
| Recipe | First, brown the chicken in olive oil in a skillet. Then, sauté the onion. Toss the potatoes with olive oil, thyme, and rosemary in a large bowl and place them in the crockpot. Scatter the onion and garlic over the potatoes, and lay the chicken on top. Pour the chicken broth and white wine over everything, and sprinkle thyme and rosemary on top. Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours. |
| Tips | Use baby potatoes, or quarter potatoes larger than a ping pong ball. Chicken breasts may dry out, so check the internal temperature or reduce the cooking time. Brine the chicken the day before cooking. |
| Serving suggestions | Serve with steamed broccoli, focaccia bread, salad, buttermilk biscuits, or gravy. |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken preparation
Choose the Right Chicken:
Select bone-in chicken thighs for your crockpot meal. Bone-in chicken thighs have more flavour and are less likely to dry out during the longer cooking time required for crockpot meals. Skin-on chicken thighs are also preferable as the skin adds flavour and helps keep the meat moist. If you opt for chicken breasts, be aware that they may dry out and will likely require a shorter cooking time.
Brine the Chicken (Optional):
For an extra juicy and flavourful chicken, you can brine the chicken the day before cooking. Brining involves soaking the chicken in a saltwater solution, which helps the meat retain moisture during cooking.
Seasoning:
Before placing the chicken in the crockpot, it is essential to season it generously. Start by patting the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Then, season the chicken with salt and pepper or seasoned salt to taste. You can also use other seasonings like Italian seasoning, poultry seasoning, or any chicken seasoning of your choice. Don't be afraid to go heavier on the herbs and spices if you prefer a more robust flavour.
Browning the Chicken (Optional but Recommended):
For an extra layer of flavour, consider browning the chicken before adding it to the crockpot. Heat some olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chicken, skin-side down, and brown for 3-5 minutes on each side until golden. This step adds a depth of flavour to your dish and helps create a more complex sauce.
Placing the Chicken in the Crockpot:
Place the seasoned (and browned, if you chose to do so) chicken on top of the potatoes in the crockpot. Ensure that the top of the chicken sits below the rim of the pot so that the lid can close properly. If the chicken is too close to the top, you may need to cut your potatoes into smaller pieces to lower the chicken in the pot.
Cooking Time and Temperature:
Cover the crockpot with a lid and adjust the temperature and timing according to your preference. For a slower cook, set the crockpot to low for 6-8 hours, resulting in more tender meat and well-melded flavours. For a quicker meal, set it to high for 4-5 hours. Remember to check your chicken early and often to prevent overcooking, as slow cookers can vary in temperature. The ideal internal temperature for cooked chicken is 165°F.
Preparing chicken for your crockpot meal is simple and allows for customization to suit your taste preferences. By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to enjoying a delicious and hearty crockpot chicken and potatoes feast.
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Potato preparation
Select the Right Potatoes: Choose baby potatoes, preferably small ones that are about 3/4-inch wide. If you opt for sweet potatoes, dice them into 3/4-inch pieces. If you use larger potatoes, cut them into halves or quarters to ensure even cooking. Red potatoes are a great choice, but any variety of baby potatoes will work.
Prepare the Potatoes: Wash the potatoes thoroughly. If using baby potatoes, you may not need to peel them, as the skin helps keep them from getting mushy. However, if you prefer peeled potatoes, go ahead and peel them. Cut any larger potatoes into the desired size, aiming for uniformity to ensure even cooking.
Season the Potatoes: In a large bowl, toss the potatoes with olive oil, dried thyme, and dried rosemary. You can also add other seasonings like Italian seasoning, poultry seasoning, or any chicken seasoning blend you prefer. The olive oil adds flavour and helps the seasonings stick to the potatoes.
Layer the Potatoes: Place the seasoned potatoes at the bottom of your crockpot. If using a 6-quart slow cooker, ensure you have enough potatoes to cover the bottom. This layering technique ensures that the chicken cooks above the juices, allowing it to brown nicely.
Add Aromatics: For added depth of flavour, scatter chopped onions and minced garlic over the potatoes. These aromatics will infuse their essence into the potatoes and the overall dish.
Cooking Instructions: After placing the chicken on top of the potatoes and following the remaining recipe steps, set your crockpot to cook. Depending on your preference, you can cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours. The low and slow method yields more tender results, allowing the flavours to meld beautifully.
With these steps, your potatoes will be perfectly prepared to cook alongside the chicken in your crockpot, resulting in a mouthwatering and hearty meal.
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Cooking times and settings
The cooking time and settings for crock pot chicken and potatoes depend on the cut of chicken used. Chicken breasts tend to dry out in this recipe, so if you opt for breasts, reduce the cooking time to 5-6 hours on low or check after around 4 hours on high. To ensure the chicken is cooked through, use an instant-read thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F.
If you use chicken thighs, which are less likely to dry out, you can cook the dish for 6 hours on low or 4 hours on high. If you want to cook the dish for longer, you can leave it for up to 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high.
It is recommended that you brown the chicken in a skillet before placing it in the crockpot, as this adds flavour. You should also sauté the onion to create layers of flavour for your gravy.
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Making gravy
To make gravy for crockpot chicken, you can use a gravy mix, or make your own. If you want to make your own, you can use the juices from the cooked chicken, or add some chicken broth to the crockpot to create more liquid. You can also add some cream of chicken soup to the juices to create a creamy gravy.
If you are making your own gravy, you can thicken it with cornstarch, whisked with some water, or with flour. You can also add some sour cream to the gravy to thicken it and add some tang. If you want a thinner gravy, you can add water, milk, or heavy cream.
If you are using a store-bought gravy mix, you can whisk this with water or chicken broth, and add some cream of chicken soup for a creamy texture. You can also add some garlic to the gravy for extra flavor.
For a simple crockpot chicken and gravy, season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Place the chicken in the crockpot and cover with the gravy mixture. Cook on high for 3-5 hours, or low for 5-8 hours. Shred the chicken with two forks and stir it back into the gravy. Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles.
You can also add vegetables to the crockpot, such as carrots, peas, and potatoes. Cut the carrots into small pieces, and use baby potatoes if possible, to ensure they cook through. You can also add some herbs and spices to the gravy, such as thyme, rosemary, or garlic powder.
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Serving suggestions
Chicken and potatoes is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides and accompaniments. Here are some serving suggestions for crock pot chicken and potatoes:
Salads and Vegetables
A big green salad is a great, healthy way to complement the chicken and potatoes. Try an arugula salad with a simple olive oil dressing, or shred the leftover chicken and toss it with a green salad, such as a Green Goddess Salad. You can also serve the chicken and potatoes with sautéed cabbage, roasted Brussels sprouts with garlic, or roasted zucchini.
Breads
Buttermilk biscuits are a delicious addition to the meal, perfect for sopping up the gravy. Focaccia bread is another option to consider, adding a hearty and filling element to the dish.
Sauces and Gravy
The juices from the chicken and potatoes can be made into a gravy using flour or cornstarch. You can also create a garlic lemon butter herb sauce or a garlic herb-infused white wine sauce to accompany the dish.
Sides
Steamed broccoli is a healthy and tasty side dish option. Applesauce is another simple, healthy, and kid-friendly choice that pairs well with the chicken and potatoes.
Customization
The crock pot chicken and potatoes recipe is highly customizable, allowing you to add various ingredients to suit your taste. You can include bell peppers, celery, baby carrots, fresh green beans, or herbs like oregano or basil.
Remember to season the chicken and potatoes generously, and feel free to experiment with different herbs and spices to create a flavorful dish that suits your preferences.
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Frequently asked questions
Slow cooking chicken in a crock pot ensures that the chicken is succulent and tender, and doesn't dry out. It's also a convenient, hands-off way of cooking, allowing you to prep the dish and then leave it to cook while you get on with your day.
You will need chicken, potatoes, olive oil, salt, pepper, chicken broth, and any additional seasonings or vegetables of your choice. Chicken breasts can be used but they may dry out, so it's recommended to use chicken thighs, preferably bone-in. Any type of baby potatoes work well, and larger potatoes should be cut into smaller pieces.
First, season the chicken with salt and pepper, and brown in a skillet for extra flavour. Toss the potatoes with olive oil, rosemary and thyme, and place in the bottom of the crock pot. Add the chicken on top, and pour in the chicken broth. Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.
