crock pot italian chicken and carrots
My favorite thing to do is create a recipe from scratch. My family fell in love with this dish last night and has already asked me to put it in the recipe book for next time. This is the first time I have ever posted one of my own creations. I'm not one to stick to measuring cups and spoons; I usually use a pinch of this and a fist or handful of that.
Blue Ribbon Recipe
A great Crock Pot meal made with love and full of flavor. Once all the ingredients are added to the slow cooker and it starts cooking, the smell is amazing. The hardest part is waiting until the chicken is fully cooked. The sauce is full of flavor from the onions and garlic, along with the basil, parsley, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Baby carrots add a pop of sweet flavor. The carrots, along with chicken, soak in all the goodness of the sauce. This slow cooker meal takes a little effort, but worth it. Once everything is in the Crock Pot, and the pasta is boiled, there's no more work. We served this with garlic knots, but a green salad would also go nicely.
Ingredients
- BRINE
- 8 cups water
- 1/2 cup Kosher salt
- CHICKEN
- 6 boneless chicken thighs, leg quarters or breasts, skinless
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 30 baby carrots
- 1 can Italian diced tomatoes with juice (14.5 oz)
- 1 can Hunts pasta sauce (24 oz)
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano
- 1/2 tablespoon fresh basil
- 1 tablespoon parsley flakes
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cup water
- 1 pound regular or angel hair pasta
- 6 teaspoons Parmesan cheese, divided
How To Make crock pot italian chicken and carrots
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Step 1Bring 8 cups of water up to a boil. Stir in salt and let it dissolve. Let the brine cool completely. -
Step 2Soak chicken in the brine for 1 - 1 1/2 hours.
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Step 3While the chicken is brining, prepare the onion, garlic, and herbs.
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Step 4Turn the Crock Pot on low and drizzle the bottom with olive oil. Spread garlic and onion evenly in the Crock Pot for 15 - 20 minutes. This enhances the flavor of the garlic and onion.
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Step 5Take each chicken piece out of the brine and rinse it under cold water. Pat dry with paper towels and discard the brine.
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Step 6On top of the garlic and onions, evenly layer the carrots and diced tomatoes (with juice).
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Step 7Evenly lay the chicken over the garlic and onions. Try to make it one layer and not put one piece on top of another.
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Step 8Pour the Hunts pasta sauce over the chicken, making sure that the chicken is covered.
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Step 9In a small bowl, mix the fresh oregano, fresh basil, parsley flakes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
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Step 10Sprinkle evenly over the pasta sauce and place 2 bay leaves on top.
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Step 11Pour water around the edges of the Crock Pot.
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Step 12Place the lid on top and cook on high for about 4 hours.
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Step 13After 4 hours, prepare pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
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Step 14Remove bay leaves from the sauce.
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Step 15To serve, place the pasta on the plate in the center, fanning out the pasta to cover the plate. Spoon the sauce on top of the pasta.
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Step 16Then add 5 baby carrots and a piece of chicken.
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Step 17Sprinkle each serving with 1 tsp grated Parmesan cheese.
- Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!
