Stews make great meals since they combine several food groups, are healthy, hearty and tasty. Making them in your slow cooker or crockpot makes is so nice to come home to a great meal ready to eat. Try these recipes for Chicken Stew with Dumplings or Chinese Chicken Stew.
CHICKEN STEW WITH DUMPLINGS
2 cups sliced carrots
1 cup chopped onion
1 large green bell pepper, sliced into strips
1/2 cup sliced celery
2 cans (approx 14-oz each) chicken broth
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 large red potatoes, skin on and cut into bite-size cubes
1 pkg (6-oz) fresh mushrooms, halved
3/4 cup frozen peas
1 tsp dried basil
3/4 tsp dried rosemary
1/4 tsp dried tarragon
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup heavy cream (or 1/4 cup fat-free evaporated milk)
Biscuit
Combine the carrots, onion, bell pepper, and celery in a slow cooker or crockpot. Stir in the chicken broth, saving 1 cup for later. Place lid on cooker and cook on low setting for 2 hours.
Stir the flour into the 1 cup of saved chicken broth until smooth. Slowly stir the mixture into the mixture in the cooker. Add the chicken, potatoes, mushrooms, peas, and seasonings to the cooker; cover and cook an additional 4 hours until the chicken is cooked through and the veggies are tender. Stir in the cream.
DUMPLINGS:
1 cup biscuit mix
1/4 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp dried rosemary
1/8 tsp dried tarragon
1/3 cup low-fat milk
In a small bowl combine the biscuit mix and herbs. Stir in the milk to form a soft dough. Spoon the dough on top of the stew in four large spoonfuls. Cook, uncovered, for 30 minutes then cover and cook for another 30 to 45 minutes. The dumplings should be firm and a wooden toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.
Yield: 4 servings.
CHINESE CHICKEN STEW
1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
1 tsp Chinese 5 spice powder
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tbsp peanut or canola oil
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
1 lb fresh mushrooms, sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (14-oz) chicken broth, divided
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 large red bell pepper, cut into bite-size pieces
2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil
2 large or 3 medium green onions, cut into half-inch pieces
3 cups hot cooked rice, optional
1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro, optional
In a bowl, toss the cut-up chicken pieces with the Chinese spice. Stir in the red pepper flakes.
In a large skillet, heat the peanut or canola oil and add the onion and chicken; cook, stirring, about 5 minutes or until the chicken is browned. Add the mushrooms and garlic, cooking until the chicken is cooked through.
Combine 1/4 cup chicken broth and cornstarch in a small bowl; set aside. Place the cooked chicken mixture into a slow cooker or crockpot. Add the remaining broth, bell pepper, and soy sauce; stir to blend. Place lid on the cooker and cook for 3 1/2 hours or until the bell pepper is tender.
Stir in the cornstarch mixture, sesame oil, and the green onions. Cook another 30 to 45 minutes until the juices have thickened.
To serve, ladle into soup bowls and scoop a half cup rice, if using,into center of each bowl. Sprinkle with the chopped cilantro, if desired.
Yield: 6 servings.
Enjoy!
Delicious and Hearty Chicken Stew Recipes For Your Slow Cooker or Crockpot
For more of Linda's slow cooker/crockpot recipes visit http://grandmasslowcookerrecipes.blogspot.com She also shares her old fashion recipes at http://grandmasvintagerecipes.blogspot.com
