Cody Casey
Soul food is a style of cuisine that is comforting and warm, and what better way to cook it than in a crockpot? Soul food is all about hearty, rich flavors, and slow cooking is a great way to develop these flavors. From oxtails and greens to chicken thighs and sweet potatoes, soul food can be easily adapted to the crockpot for a perfect, stress-free meal. With a few simple steps, you can prep your ingredients, throw them in the crockpot, and come home to a delicious, soulful dinner.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of dish | Main course |
| Ingredients | Chicken thighs, greens, sweet potatoes, apple cider vinegar, chicken broth, spices |
| Preparation | Mix spices in a bowl, spray the crock pot with cooking spray, add chicken thighs and spices, add greens, garlic, vinegar, broth, and sweet potatoes |
| Cooking instructions | Cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW for 6-8 hours |
| Variants | Use russet potatoes instead of sweet potatoes, add ghee and cinnamon to sweet potatoes |
| Other soul food crock pot recipes | Oxtails, macaroni and cheese, candied yams, pulled pork, soups, stews, roasts, meatballs, cornbread |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken thighs, greens, and sweet potatoes
Ingredients:
- Chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless, skin-on or skinless)
- Sweet potatoes
- Greens (such as collard greens, spinach, or kale)
- Seasoning of your choice (including salt, pepper, and dried thyme)
- Olive oil or butter
- Garlic
- Apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
- Chicken broth
- Optional: Fresh rosemary, cinnamon, ghee (butter), maple syrup, or balsamic vinegar
Instructions:
- Heat some olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add other seasonings of your choice, such as dried thyme or rosemary.
- Place the chicken thighs, skin-side down, in the skillet and sear until both sides are golden brown. This step adds flavor and texture to the chicken.
- While the chicken is searing, prepare your crockpot or slow cooker. Spray the inside of the crockpot with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Chop the sweet potatoes into uniform sizes. You can also add onions or garlic to enhance the flavor. Place the sweet potatoes (and onions, if using) in the crockpot, creating an even layer.
- Add the seared chicken thighs on top of the sweet potatoes. If desired, sprinkle with additional seasonings, such as thyme or rosemary.
- Close the lid of the crockpot and set the cooking time and temperature. You can cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours, depending on your preference and the specific model of your crockpot.
- About 10 minutes before the cooking time is complete, add the greens. You can use collard greens, spinach, kale, or a combination of your choice.
- If desired, pour in some apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to boost the flavor. You can also add a splash of chicken broth for extra moisture.
- Once the cooking time is complete, release the pressure and use tongs to remove the chicken and sweet potatoes.
- Serve the chicken and sweet potatoes together, along with the cooked greens. You can also add a splash of maple syrup or balsamic vinegar to enhance the flavors.
Tips and Variations:
- You can substitute russet potatoes for sweet potatoes or do a combination of both.
- For a creamier texture, top the sweet potatoes with ghee (butter) and cinnamon.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- To reheat, use the microwave or stovetop with a splash of broth to prevent drying out.
Enjoy your delicious crockpot soul food dinner, and feel free to experiment with additional ingredients and seasonings to make it your own!
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Soul food-style baked candied yams
Candied yams and sweet potatoes are used interchangeably in Southern and, more specifically, Black American cuisines. This soul food-style baked candied yams recipe can be made in a CrockPot or any other slow cooker.
First, scrub and peel your sweet potatoes. Cut them into chunks, about 2 inches in size, and place them into a large bowl. Next, mix together your dry ingredients: brown sugar, sea salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. You can also add white sugar if you prefer a sweeter dish. Pour this mixture over the sweet potatoes, and toss until they are evenly coated. You can also add vanilla extract for extra flavour. Place the sweet potatoes in an even layer in the CrockPot, being careful not to overcrowd the pot, as this can create steam and lead to mushy yams.
Cook on low heat for more gentle cooking, or on high heat for 3-4 hours, or low for 6-8 hours, depending on your preference. Check for tenderness before the full time is up to avoid overcooking. Once cooked, transfer the glaze to a small saucepan and simmer on low heat until it reaches your desired consistency.
This soul food-style dish is perfect for holiday dinners or family gatherings and can be served straight from the CrockPot, making it a convenient and tasty option.
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Slow cooker sides and desserts
Sides
- Green beans with bacon
- Black-eyed peas with ham
- Spoon bread
- Shrimp and grits
- Country-style pork ribs
- Louisiana red beans and rice with smoked turkey sausage
- Vegetable beef soup
- Corned beef
- Sliders
Desserts
- Apple crisp
- Banana, walnut, and rum crumble
- Old-fashioned peach crumble
- Pumpkin spice latte
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Pork chops
To make juicy and tender pork chops in a crock pot, you'll need to prepare the meat, cook it in a broth or soup mixture, and then serve it with your choice of sides.
Preparing the Meat
Before adding the pork chops to the crock pot, you can sear them for 1-2 minutes on each side to add extra flavour. Then, season the pork chops with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. You can also add other seasonings like poultry seasoning, oregano, basil, or onion powder. Make small slits in a diamond pattern on each pork chop and rub the seasoning mix into the slits.
Choosing the Right Pork Chops
For the best results, choose thicker bone-in pork chops with good marbling throughout. The best cuts for the crock pot include blade chops, shoulder chops, sirloin chops, or tenderloin chops. Boneless pork chops can also be used, but ensure they have nice marbling for more tender results.
Cooking the Pork Chops
Place the seasoned pork chops in the crock pot. If desired, you can add vegetables like mushrooms and onions to the bottom of the crock pot before adding the meat.
Next, prepare the broth or soup mixture. You can use chicken or beef broth, or condensed soup. Pour the broth or soup over the pork chops, making sure they are covered.
Cook the pork chops on low for 6-8 hours or until they are tender. For a faster cooking option, you can cook on high for about 1 hour and 40 minutes, basting periodically with the sauce. The pork chops are ready when they reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
Serving Suggestions
The crock pot pork chops can be served with the gravy that forms during cooking. Serve the pork chops and gravy with mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles. You can also add a side of steamed vegetables.
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Chicken broth
Preparing the Ingredients:
For a flavourful chicken broth, you can use either raw or cooked chicken bones, or a combination of both. You can also include the carcass of a roasted chicken to add depth of flavour. If using raw bones, consider roasting them first to enhance their flavour. In addition to bones, you will need vegetables such as carrots, celery, and onions. Herbs like basil or parsley, and spices such as bay leaves, can also be added according to your preference.
Cooking the Broth:
Place the chicken bones, carcass, and vegetables in the crockpot. Add enough water to cover the ingredients. For a more concentrated broth, you can reduce the amount of water. Set the crockpot to low heat and let the broth simmer for at least 8 to 10 hours, or even up to 12 hours. Cooking the broth slowly helps to extract maximum flavour and nutrients from the ingredients. Avoid boiling the broth, as this can negatively impact its flavour and texture.
Straining and Storing:
Once the broth has finished cooking, strain it to separate the liquid from the solids. Discard the vegetables and bones, or use the remaining chicken meat for another purpose. Let the broth cool, then store it in containers in the refrigerator or freezer. Properly stored chicken broth can last for several weeks in the refrigerator and up to several months in the freezer.
Customisation and Tips:
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Frequently asked questions
You can make a variety of soul food recipes in a crock pot, including chicken thighs with greens and sweet potatoes, pulled pork, soups, stews, and even desserts.
First, mix your seasoning in a small bowl. Spray the crock pot with cooking spray. Add the chicken thighs and spices and mix until the chicken is well seasoned. Add the greens on top of the chicken, followed by garlic, apple cider vinegar, and chicken broth. Finally, add the sweet potatoes on top and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.
Some soul food crock pot recipes that use beef include Mexican Shredded Beef, Cheesy Queso Beef Dip, Beef and Bean Soup, and Beef Sliders.
Some soul food side dishes that can be made in a crock pot include macaroni and cheese, cornbread, green beans and potatoes, and candied yams.
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