PIN IT FOR LATER There is pretty much nothing that makes me happier than adding another completely useful, delicious, easy and healthy meal to my recipe index here on The Recipe Rebel. Even though I’ve been at this for almost 3 years (whaaaaaat?!?!), there are so many more things I have up my sleeve, so many more recipes I want to share. And so every time I add one more, especially when it is a family favorite like this one, I’m so happy to check it off my list. I know this is no surprise to you, but I love a little sweet with my savory. Honey garlic, teriyaki, sweet and sour, pineapple dishes — these are some of my favorite dinner recipes! It seems like no one has any problem with their dinner when one is on the table (which is a breath of fresh air for this mom of a toddler and a preschooler). But it’s also important to us that we focus on real food and get a good amount of veggies and protein (which is hard only for me, because I’m the picky one in our family!). I opted to use tomato paste instead of ketchup in the sauce so you can control the sugar, and the honey sweetens it naturally. I have BIG love for my slow cooker, but my biggest issue with slow cooker recipes is that sometimes the flavors just seem so dull after cooking for such a long time, and if you’re cooking meat, I find the juices that run out end up diluting the sauce and spices and also mute the other flavors. There are two things that I like to do when I’m using my slow cooker to hold in all that flavor you’re putting in: brown any meat before adding it to the slow cooker, and add something to spice it up at the end of the cooking time. Both of these are totally optional, and even doing just one of them can make a big difference in the flavor! For this recipe, I opted to throw everything in the slow cooker, but save some of the sauce to thicken and drizzle over the chicken after cooking. It makes for super quick prep and only requires a little extra time at the end. You can definitely just skip and serve straight from the crockpot. In the responses to my reader survey at the beginning of the year, I had a few requests to include possible substitutions to make some recipes more allergy friendly. Since this isn’t normally a concern of ours (aside from the odd gluten-free dessert I bake to serve to family), I’m not an expert in this area. However, I’m going to try to do a better job of labeling my recipes so they are easier to find for people who have these needs. To make ahead:
It’s super simple to throw everything in the slow cooker in the fridge the night before, and then just turn the slow cooker on in the morning. Just keep the extra sauce in a container to thicken before serving and you’re good to go!
This recipe is naturally:
gluten-free dairy-free low fat
This post is generously sponsored by The Little Potato Company, and I have received compensation for my time in creating the recipe. As always, my opinions are my own. Create an account easily save your favorite content, so you never forget a recipe again. Register Now Tag @thereciperebel or hashtag #thereciperebel — I love to see what you’re making!
