Crock Pot Italian Chicken

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We recently made a pretty big switch to our dinnertime routine that has been awesome in the execution but a little difficult in the transition, at least for me. We bumped our dinnertime up an hour. Eric and I realized that if we did this, he could eat dinner with the family 5 nights a week instead of 3. It means he leaves a little later in the evenings to head out to work, but since his schedule is so flexible, it works perfectly. There are still two nights a week where this isn’t possible, but we all love eating dinner as a family, so we’ll take what we can get!

This change has meant I’ve had to adapt my usual cooking habits a bit so that I can make sure dinner is ready to go and on the table at 5:30 each night, instead of 6:30. Fortunately, the “stolen moments” method that I so love makes this a little easier than it would otherwise. But I’m still struggling a little bit because I’m a lover of routines and I like being set in my ways! Changes in the schedule like this are always a little difficult for me to cope with. So, I’ve been relying on my crock pot more than usual, just because it somehow makes the whole new process feel easier.

Anyhow…on with the food! This Crock Pot Italian Chicken was so tasty and it smelled amazing as it simmered all day. I served it over pasta to make a nice complete, filling dinner. You could also add some chicken stock to turn it into a soup if you’d like, which was what I did with my leftovers for lunch the next day. It’s delicious either way!

Crockpot Italian Chicken

  • 1 T. olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 red pepper, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 lb. mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 1 can cannelini beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1/2 c. chicken stock
  • 1 can sliced black olives, drained
  • 2 t. dried oregano
  • 1 t. dried basil
  • 1 t. salt
  • 1 t. black pepper
  • Cooked pasta, optional
1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add onions, red pepper, garlic, mushrooms and zucchini. Cook for 5-10 minutes, until onions are translucent and mushrooms are browned. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

2. Pour cooked veggies into a large crock pot. Add remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4 hours.

3. Before serving, remove chicken and shred or cut into cubes. Stir back into the sauce. Serve over pasta, if desired.

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Easiest Mac & Cheese Ever

I’ve been making homemade macaroni and cheese for years and it’s definitely one of the favorite side dishes in our house. All of my versions of mac & cheese always revolve around a homemade cheese sauce for no reason other than that’s how I’ve always done it. But that all changed this past weekend and I’m not sure what the future holds for my mac & cheese making habits.

That’s because, with leftover cooked noodles in my refrigerator, this dish literally took less than 5 minutes to put together and it ended up being some of the most delicious macaroni and cheese any of us have ever had. The amount of seconds and thirds that I passed out to the kids rivaled any of their other favorite dishes for sure.

Check out this recipe and don’t let its simplicity fool you! You’ll end up with rich, creamy and delicious mac and cheese. It’s much easier and infinitely better than any boxed mac and cheese you’ll ever make!

Easiest Mac & Cheese Ever

  • 1 lb. elbow macaroni, fully cooked, divided
  • 2 c. shredded Sharp cheddar cheese, divided
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 c. milk

1. Grease a 13×9 casserole dish. Spread 1/4 of the noodles into the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle with 1/2 c. cheese and add some salt and pepper. Continue repeating the layers until you’re done, ending with the cheese on top. Pour in the milk.

2. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes, until cheese is fully melted. Stir well, season with more salt and pepper, if needed. Enjoy!

I did add some frozen peas to two layers and that was a great addition. But you can definitely skip those or replace with broccoli if you want.

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10 Recipes For Super Bowl Sunday

Awesome commercials and delicious food. That’s what the Super Bowl is really all about, right? Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just a fan of the party, here are some of my favorite recipes that would be perfect to serve up this Sunday.


BBQ Nachos


Rueben Dip

Taco Skins

Buffalo Chicken Puffs

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Piled High Chicken Melts

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Black Bean & Mango Salsa


Queso Fresco & Sausage Dip


Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs

Pizza Pie Bites


Chicken Ranch Quesadillas

And here are a few dessert options for you. Afterall, what’s a party without dessert?!?

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Bacon Maple Cookies


Chocolate Peanut Squares with Sea Salt

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S’Mores Topped Brownies

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Cream Puffs filled with Chocolate Pots de Creme


Peach & Blueberry Cobbler


Rainbow Sprinkle Cookies

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