Chicken with Pasta and Creamy Tomato Sauce

Here's an easy slow cooker recipe for ya!  The sauce is creamy and delicious and the chicken is super moist.  It's perfect for a busy weeknight.  Just toss together a salad and you've got a complete meal.

Here's what you'll need:
4 chicken breasts (or 6-chicken cutlets), thawed
8 ounces of cream cheese
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can Rotel tomatoes (mild)
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
penne pasta- prepare enough for 4-6 servings (I use a gluten-free brand)
1/2 cup shaved Parmesan cheese or shredded Italian cheese blend
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water

Makes 4-6 servings.

Not pictured:  penne pasta, Parmesan cheese, and corn starch.

Here's what to do:
Spray bottom of slow cooker with cooking spray.  Layer chicken in bottom of slow cooker.  Sprinkle oregano, basil, garlic, salt and pepper on top of chicken.

  
Put both cans of tomatoes on top of chicken, including juice.

Cut cream cheese into small pieces and put on top of tomatoes.

Cook on low heat for 4 hours. 

About 15 to 20 minutes before chicken and sauce is ready, prepare the pasta according to package directions.  I use a gluten-free pasta.

Ten minutes before serving, stir cornstarch and water together.  Add to sauce in slow cooker and mix together.  Turn heat up to high for cook for ten minutes.

  

Serve chicken and sauce over pasta.  Sprinkle with Italian cheese blend, or Parmesan cheese.

Enjoy!
-Karen

Honey Mustard Chicken

Whoever invented a slow cooker is a genius and I am forever grateful.  Some busy weeknights, it is just a lifesaver.  Here is a quick and easy recipe for Honey Mustard Chicken that has only three ingredients.  Yes, that's right. THREE!  It is simple, but so tasty!  So, dust your slow cooker off and give this recipe a try.

Here's what you'll need:
6 chicken breasts
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup yellow mustard

Make 6 servings

Three ingredients!  Mustard, honey, and chicken breasts.

Here' s what to do:

Put all ingredients in your slow cooker.  Cook on low heat for about 6 hours.  

I like to serve the honey mustard chicken with rice.  My favorite is the Minute Multi-Grain Medley.  It is a mixture of brown rice, red rice, wild rice, and quinoa.  

To make the rice:  combine 2 cups of chicken stock with two packages of Minute Multi-Grain Medley in a microwave safe dish.  Cook on high heat for 12 minutes.  Let sit for a few minutes.  Add two pats of butter, a little salt and pepper and then fluff with a fork.

That's it!  So easy.  Just add a vegetable or salad and dinner is done!

Enjoy!
-Karen

Beef Tips in Mushroom Sauce

Here's the proof of how easy this recipe is.  My husband (who never cooks by the way) made this for dinner tonight.  Now, he wants to be called "The Crockpot King".  Oh boy.  Regardless of my husband's newfound kitchen ego, the Beef Tips in Mushroom Sauce was delicious and so easy.  Put ingredients in the slow cooker before you go to work and when you get home your house will smell fantastic and the best part is your dinner is almost ready.  All you have to prepare is the rice and add a side vegetable or salad.  

Here's what you need:
2 pounds beef stew meat (I buy a package that has pre-cubed beef to make it easy)
1 small can of mushrooms (4 ounces)  I found a gluten-free brand!
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
1/2 cup white wine
1 can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 cup beef broth
1 cup water
2 cups white rice  (you could also serve with noodles)

Makes about 8 servings

Gluten-Free Cream of Mushroom Soup- a great find!

Here's how to make the beef tips and mushroom sauce:

1.  Brown the beef tips in a skillet. Sear on all side to seal in the flavor.
2.  Combine beef, mushrooms, dry onion soup mix, white wine, and mushroom soup in slow cooker.
3.  Cook on low heat for 8 to 10 hours.

Here's how to make the rice:
1.  Put 2 cups rice, 1 cup beef broth, and 1 cup water in microwaveable bowl.  
2.  Cook on high for 8 minutes.
3.  Let stand for a few minutes and fluff with a fork.

Spoon the beef tips and mushroom sauce over the rice or noodles.  I made a side kale salad to go with our dinner.

Here's to EASY and delicious!  
-Karen