UK are Starting
Many people in the UK are starting to prefer using a slow cooker because it requires very little work to make delicious and tender dishes. Chicken is the perfect food for cooking in the crockpot due to its versatility and being low in fat. Via this method, the chicken pieces are allowed to simmer steadily in their juice together with vegetables and herbs, so your cooking is finished by the time you come back.
You’ll find mouth-watering crockpot chicken recipes here that you can use for any meal, including making preparation for later in the week. All the recipes call for ingredients that are simple to find in your local UK supermarket.
Why Should I Use a Crockpot when Making Chicken?
- Easy Baking: Combine all ingredients, set the power level and wait as everything is cooked or baked.
- When chicken is slow cooked, it becomes much more tender.
- You can prepare many dishes together and store them for whenever you need them in the fridge or freezer.
- Slow cookers use less energy than does a regular oven.
- Easy Asian: As little oil is needed, you have lots of vegetables to enjoy.
How to Make the Best Chicken Using a Crockpot
- Always cook your chicken crockpot dish on high for only 2-3 hours or use low heat for 4-6 hours, so the chicken doesn’t become dry.
- Choose chicken with bones attached, as they will be juicier than chicken breast.
- Arrange root veggies at the bottom as they do not get cooked as quickly as the others. Chicken should be the final layer on the burrito.
- Put Dairy in At the End: Add dairy products towards the end to prevent your soup from curdling.
- Season your stew well right from the start as seasonings may not come through with very slow cooking.
Recipe 1: Chicken and Vegetable Stew Cooked in a Crockpot
Serves 4 (preparation for):
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken thighs | 6 | Skin removed |
| Carrots | 4 medium | Sliced |
| Celery stalks | 3 | Chopped |
| Onion | 1 large | Cut into small chunks |
| Garlic cloves | 3 | Minced |
| New potatoes | 400g | Halved |
| Chicken stock (low sodium) | 400ml | — |
| Tomato purée | 2 tbsp | — |
| Dried thyme | Scant 1 tsp | — |
| Smoked paprika | 1 tsp | — |
| Salt | To taste | — |
| Black pepper | To taste | — |
| Parsley | Some | Chopped, for garnish |
Method
- Put carrots, celery, onion and potatoes into the crockpot.
- Put salt, pepper, smoked paprika and thyme onto the chicken thighs.
- Put the pieces of chicken over the vegetables.
- Combine the chicken broth and the tomato puree; pour the mixture over the chicken and other vegetables.
- If cooking on a low setting, allow 5-6 hours or if your stove has a high setting, cook chicken and vegetables for 3-4 hours.
- Scatter some parsley on top and enjoy the dish with bread or cooked rice.
Recipe 2: You can make a Slow Cooker Chicken Curry (British-Indian Fusion)
The number of servings for ingredients is 4.
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken breast | From 4 pieces | Cubed |
| Onion | 1 large | Chopped into small pieces |
| Garlic | — | Minced, added to stew |
| Fresh ginger | 1 tbsp | Grated |
| Chopped tomatoes | 1 tin (400g) | — |
| Natural yogurt | 200ml (1 cup) | — |
| Curry powder | 2 tbsp | Mild or medium |
| Ground cumin | 1–1 ½ tsp | — |
| Garam masala | 1 tsp | — |
| Red chili | 1 | Seeds removed, finely chopped |
| Salt | To taste | — |
| Fresh coriander | — | Chopped, for topping |
Method
- Place everything from the list (so far) in the crockpot: onion, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, yogurt, curry powder, turmeric, cumin, garam masala and chili.
- Cube the chicken and make sure it is covered by the sauce.
- If cooking on low, allow chicken to cook for 6 hours or if you prefer, 3 hours on high.
- Add some salt and garnish the lettuce with coriander.
- Serve your meal with basmati rice and some naan bread.
Recipe 3: Lemon Garlic Chicken with Potatoes Baked in the Crockpot
(This Contains Ingredients for 4 Servings)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken drumsticks or thighs | 8 | — |
| Baby potatoes | 1 kg | Halved |
| Lemon | 1 | Sliced, for garnish |
| Garlic cloves | 4 | Minced |
| Olive oil | 2 tbsp | — |
| Oregano | 1 tsp | — |
| Dried rosemary | 1 tsp | — |
| Salt | To taste | — |
| Black pepper | To taste | — |
| Parsley | — | Sprinkled on top |
Method
- Mix potatoes, olive oil, oregano, rosemary, salt and pepper; put them into the bottom part of the crockpot.
- Spread the garlic and then put the chicken down on top.
- Chicken and potatoes should be topped with lemon slices.
- If you set the cooker to low, cook the food for about 6-7 hours or use high heat for cooking 3-4 hours.
- Decorate with some fresh parsley when you are about to serve the steamed greens.
Nutritional Information (This is an estimate, since all recipes are different)
| Nutrient | Amount Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 350–450 | Depends on portion size and ingredients |
| Protein | 35–45g | Varies with meat cut |
| Fat | 10–20g | Depends on cut of meat used |
| Carbohydrates | 20–40g | — |
| Fibre | 5–8g | — |
How slow cooker recipes are beneficial for homes in the UK
Because many people in the UK are busy, their meals should be simple, healthy and tasty. This is exactly what the crockpot was made for:
- Save yourself time: Make your lunch in the morning and find it ready to eat later on.
- Thrifty choice: Even the cheapest chicken pieces can be delicious.
- This dish can easily be prepared using parsnips, leeks or sprouts (common seasonal vegetables in the United Kingdom).
- Easy for kids: Most of the recipes can be adjusted to match anyone’s tastes.
Save or Store: Eating Leftovers
- Allow your dishes to cool down, then keep them properly covered in your fridge for no more than 3 days.
- Portions of your casserole can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Hot dogs should be completly reheated before you eat them.
- Have sandwiches, salads or wraps for lunch using the chicken you have left over.
Thoughts
These recipes are excellent for families in the UK because they require little work and yet are very tasty. Thanks to several types of recipes, a slow cooker can help you enjoy many meals that are healthy and full of flavor.
Try out the slow cooker recipes, benefit from the wonderfully tender meat and strong flavors and enjoy more free time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.How do I keep my chicken breasts from getting dry and tough in the crockpot?
A.This is the number one crockpot dilemma! To ensure the chicken comes out juicy, the chicken thigh has to be used since it contains much fat that keeps it juicy. Ladies want breasts? Don-t overcook them, 2-3hrs on high or 4-5 hrs on low. Also ensure the chicken is largely covered with anything liquid, such as the broth or sauce, to guard it against drying up.
Q.Can I put frozen chicken directly into the crockpot?
A.This is better to be avoided. It is not advisable by the food safety experts like the USDA since the chicken may remain at the danger zone (40F – 140F) too long and harmful bacteria reproduces before being cooked thoroughly. To increase the chances of its success, always make sure that you remove the chicken completely out of the freeze and into the refrigerator before you place in your slow cooker.
Q.My crockpot sauces are always watery. How can I thicken them?
A.An easy mend to a watery sauce! This can be done 20 or 30 minutes before your dish is cooked by combining 1 Tbsp cornstarch and 2 Tbsp cold water and whisking to mix. Stir this in the crockpot, turn the heat on high and leave it to cook unlidded letting it thicken up a treat.
Q.Does it matter if I cook on LOW versus HIGH?
A.It can give a big difference in texture, yes. Although high heat is likely to make the process faster, the low temperature is far superior when it comes to softening up tougher meats and letting flavors merge with each other in a profound manner. To get truly tender, fall off the bone chicken, LOW and slow is in most cases, a better way to go.
Q.Do I need to brown the chicken before putting it in the slow cooker?
A.It isn t necessary but it goes a long way in adding flavor. This will create the flavor I cannot stop talking about searing the chicken in a pan with the hot pan a few minutes a side and then into the crockpot to add as a caramelized crust. This one small trick intensifies the whole flavor of whatever it is that you are making. That simmered-all-day flavor.
Q.I feel like my crockpot chicken recipes are bland. How can I add more flavor?
A.Talk in layers! Onion and garlic or any other aromatic vegetables should be sauteed first and then added to the pot. Don?t skimp on dried herbs and spices early in the cooking time, and then lighten everything up later with fresh herbs, such as parsley or cilantro, a squirt of lemon juice or a splash of vinegar.
Q: Is it possible to use chicken breasts in a crockpot?
A: Yes, they cook speedily so you should not cook them for a longer time, as they can dry out. Cook with boneless skinless breasts and try to keep track of the time.
Q: Can you prepare crockpot chicken with rice or pasta?
A: The best idea is to boil your rice or pasta by itself and then add it at the end, because they might soften and become mushy while cooking in the slow cooker for too long.
Q: How can crockpot sauces be made thicker?
A: Let the beef soup cook uncovered for the last 30 minutes to let out its liquid or stir in a combination of cornflour and water in the last stages.
