Slow Cooker Italian Chicken

I made this chicken tonight for my family.  It is a new family favorite!

1 package of chicken thighs (You can use chicken breast, I don't like how dry chicken breast comes out in the slow cooker.)
1 carton of cream cheese
2 packets of Italian dressing mix
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 red and 1 green pepper


First add the chicken thighs to the bottom of the slow cooker.  Sprinkle the italian packets over the chicken.   On the stovetop, cook the cream of chicken soup and the cream cheese.  Once it's all mixed, pour over chicken and add the peppers.  Cook on low for 4-6 hours.  This can be served over noodles of any kind as well as rice.  
P.S. I think next time I make this I will also add some mushrooms.


Enjoy!

Here's some easy fall recipes and dinner ideas.

Schwan's has a new slow cooker recipe I'm so excited to try: Slow Cooker Chicken and Corn Enchiladas

1 can (10.75 oz) cream of mushroom soup, undiluted 1 container (8 oz) sour cream 1 can (4.5 oz) green chilies, chopped 1/2 bag Diced Chicken Breast Meat (#514), thawed Buy this ingredient 2 cups Super Sweet Cut Corn (#773), frozen Buy this ingredient 1 can (10 oz) enchilada sauce 12 (6 inch) corn tortillas 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 1.  Stir together soup, sour cream and chilies. 2.  Fold chicken and corn into the soup and sour cream mixture. 3.  Pour half a can of enchilada sauce on bottom of a medium-sized (4-5 qt) slow cooker and arrange half of cut tortillas pieces over sauce. 4.  Spread half of chicken mixture over cut tortilla and enchilada sauce and top with half of cheese.  5.  Repeat layer, starting with remaining enchilada sauce and cut tortillas. 6.  Cook on low setting for 4-6 hrs. Tip: If you're a black bean fan...go ahead and add some.

Here's another fun recipe fore mini meatball subs
 I love the Pioneer Woman!

• 1 pound Ground Chuck Or Ground Beef
• 1/2 cup Panko Or Other Bread Crumbs
• 1 clove Garlic, Minced
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• 1/2 cup Milk
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1/2 whole Medium Onion, Diced
• 1 jar (large) Marinara Sauce
• 12 whole Dinner Rolls (or Slider Rolls)
• 4 slices Provolone Cheese, Cut Into Four Wedges Each

Preparation Instructions

Mix meat with bread crumbs, garlic, salt, pepper, and milk. Knead together with hands. Roll into heaping tablespoon-sized rolls.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook for one minute. Add meatballs between the onions and brown for one minute. (You might have to do this in two batches, depending on the size of your skillet.)

Pour in jar of marinara; shake pan gently to mix. Put on lid and allow to simmer for 20 minutes.

When ready to serve, cut each dinner roll in half. Place a wedge of Provolone on the top and bottom of each roll. Spoon a meatball with the sauce onto the bottom bun; top with the top bun.

Serve immediately!

I was also thinking about a fun chicken and dumpling recipe for the slow cooker. A friend of mine uses and loves AllRecipe's recipe. I really want to change it up to add some veggies and extra flavor so here goes:

1 Rotisserie Chicken
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can chicken broth
1/2 tub cream cheese
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp rosemary
2 large carrots finely sliced
2 large celery stalks sliced
2 tbs butter
2 pkgs biscuits- HAVE FUN WITH THIS, TRY CHEDDAR OR HERB BISCUITS!

Place the chicken, soup, butter, spices, and veggies in the slow cooker and cover. Cook for 5-6 hours.
Approximately 30 minutes before serving, place the biscuit dough in around the top of the cooker until dough is fully cooked.

Menu Plan for the week of June 4-June 11

Tonight- Grilled tilapia and shrimp skewers served with pineapple coleslaw

Sunday- Grilled balsamic vinaigrette tenderloin with grilled zucchini and squash- Regular pork tenderloin sliced down the middle and marinated with balsamic vinaigrette, honey, and olive oil for the day before grilling.

Monday- Marinated chicken breast with grilled asparagus

Tuesday- Turkey sausage grilled served with baby roasted potatoes (my version is similar to twice baked potatoes)

Wednesday- Left overs

Thursday- Smoked chicken with a garden salad

Friday-  Almond chicken salad sandwiches with pasta salad- Recipes posted on FB

Saturday-  BBQ beef sandwiches with corn and tomatoes- This is a summer "regular" on our menu.  Recipe previously posted on here.

Foil Packs-A camping must!!!

Foil Packs are an absolute when we go camping.  This is a tradition for our family.

• Large pkg of ground beef
• bag of potatoes
• yellow onions
• green and red peppers
• garlic, salt, and pepper
• olive oil
• butter
• Shrimp is optional

Lay out foil squares, in the middle add loose hamburger (the amount needed to make a patty), sliced potatoes, onion, and peppers.  Top with butter and olive oil and spices.  Wrap up and bury in hot coals for about 10-20 minutes depending on the heat of the coals.  We make about 5 packs for our family and we have plenty of it left over.

Menu Plan for the week of April 18-24th

This week will be a little tricky.  We will be camping for part of it.

Monday: Marinated chicken breast with angel hair pasta
Tuesday: Ham, Turkey, and Cheese Paninis served with pasta salad
Wednesday: Grilled Fish-Cod, Mahi Mahi, or Halibut- served with pineapple coleslaw
Thursday: Sandwiches on the go
Friday: Teriyaki Chicken Kebobs served with grilled asparagus and cucumber-tomato salad
Saturday: Foil Packs
Sunday: Easter

This menu is subject to change due to the holiday and travel.

Cucumber-Tomato Salad

• Cherry Tomatoes 
• 2 Cucumbers
• Feta Cheese
• Red onion
• Salt and Pepper
• Dill
• Ranch Dressing

Slice cucumbers with the skin, slice tomatoes once, dice your onion.  Mix all ingredients in a large bowl according to preference.  Allow to sit in the refrigerator for at least an hour to the flavors can mix.

Angel Chicken

• Chicken Breast
• 1tbsp. vegetable oil (optional)
• 1 8oz. pkg shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and caps sliced
• 1 6oz. pkg. button mushrooms, sliced
• 1/4 C. butter
• 1- 0.7 ounce envelope italian dry salad dressing mix
• 1/2 of an 8oz. tub cream cheese
• 1 can golden mushroom soup
• 1/2 C. dry white wine
• 2 C. hot rooked rice or angel hair pasta
• Sliced green onions or snipped fresh chives

Brown chicken on both sides, combine mushrooms.  In a separate pan, melt butter, stir in dressing mix.  Stir in mushroom soup, cream cheese and white wine, until cheese is melted; pour over chicken.

Awesome New Crock Pot Beef Sandwich

Ok, so I had 2 different recipes for this Italian beef sandwich dinner.  I had some of the ingredients for each but not all for either.  So, I compromised.  Here is goes.

• 4-5 lbs chuck roast or rump roast
• one large box of beef broth
• 3 packets of italian dressing mix
• about 3/4-1C Au Jus

Cook on low all day, drain and shred.  Top with provolone cheese and serve on buns.  OH.  MY.  GOODNESS!!  It was delicious, no BBQ sauce necessary.

Ultra Easy Crock Pot BBQ Beef Sandwiches

• 1 roast 
• 1 can of soda (you choose)
• Brown Sugar
• BBQ Sauce 
• Honey

Place roast in the crock pot and cover with soda and water.  Cook until tender.  Shred or place in food processor.  Add brown sugar, honey, and bbq sauce according to your taste and serve on buns.
Yes, it's that easy!

Hint:  I like to make this with BBQ beans and add some of the beef to the beans

This Week's Plan with a few recipes

Monday- You're going to laugh (it's the day after my half marathon in St. Louis and I need to start off easy): Frozen Pizza

Tuesday: Chicken Stir-fry over brown rice and sesame noodles for the kids

Wednesday: Chicken and Beef Enchiladas www.food.com/recipe/chicken-enchilada-casserole-42543
I add some Cumin, Turmeric, and paprika.

Thursday: Grilled pork tenderloin- I will marinate this in balsamic vinegar and olive oil for the day before i slice it down the middle and throw it on the grill.  I will serve this with grilled asparagus.  (it's in season)

Friday: This recipe came from a family member-  http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/slow-cooker-italian-beef-for-sandwiches/Detail.aspx

Saturday: Left-Overs (I do this every week)

Sunday:  Mahi Mahi and shrimp on the grill with pineapple coleslaw