Slow Cooker Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

📃Shopping list

To make this delicious recipe you will need:

• chicken thighs - or breasts or even a combination of the two.
• chicken broth
• garlic - minced
• sun dried tomatoes 
• sun dried tomato pesto
• full fat coconut milk -or heavy cream
• parmesan cheese  - grated
• potato starch - optional for thickening
• Fresh basil - optional garnish

Preparing Your Slow Cooker

Prepare your slow cooker by coating it with a non-stick agent.  Any nonstick cooking spray or oil will work. Olive oil and avocado oil are my go-to coatings. 

 NOTE: some slow cooker inserts come with a nonstick surface.  Use of a non-stick agent is still suggested. However, oil is sometimes recommended rather than spray to protect the longevity of the non-stick surface.  Check your slow cooker's manual if you have any concerns. 

Alternatively, you can choose to use a slow cooker liner. 

Cooking

• 🍅Add chicken, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, pesto, and stock to a greased slow cooker. 
• 🍅Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours.  
• 🍅15 - 30 minutes before serving time, stir in coconut milk and parmesan cheese.  
• 🍅OPTIONAL - use a small bowl to stir two tablespoons of potato starch together with 4 tablespoons cold water.  Mix this into the sauce in your slow cooker.  It will thicken quickly while you stir.  
• 🍅Top with additional grated parmesan cheese and freshly chopped basil and enjoy!

🍽Serving suggestions

• On top: Serve your amazing crock pot chicken on top of rice, cauliflower rice, couscous, quinoa, or polenta. These grainy bases will soak up all the delicious flavor of the creamy sundried tomato sauce.  Pasta or zucchini noodles are also great bases for this dish.
• Stuffed inside:  Spoon chicken into warm pita bread for a perfect, creamy pockets of deliciousness.  
• Alongside: a crisp garden salad, warm roasted veggies, and baked potatoes all make amazing side dishes for this yummy chicken.  

↔Substitution ideas

1. To turn this hearty meal into a low carb creamy Tuscan chicken recipe, stir in two cups of fresh baby spinach. This can be added at the same time you add the coconut milk and parmesan cheese.
2. Kalamata olives and portabella mushroom slices are also great additions.
3. Not a coconut fan?  Use an oat milk creamer or heavy cream in place of the full fat coconut milk. 
4. To make a dairy-free version of this perfect dish, swap parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast. Since nutritional yeast has a stronger flavor than parmesan cheese, add ¼ cup at a time and taste test. 
5. The recipe calls for potato starch as an optional thickening agent.  Mashed potato flakes or corn starch can both be used as thickening agents as well.  Stir instant potato flakes directly into sauce one tablespoon at a time until desired thickness is achieved.  For cornstarch, make a slurry the same way as described above by mixing with cold water.  Stir slurry into sauce in your slow cooker.  Cornstarch will need to cook for an additional 30 - 60 minutes to fully thicken.  
6. Swap jarred minced garlic or garlic powder for garlic cloves if you need to save some time.  

🍗A note about chicken

Chicken in the slow cooker can be a bit tricky. Boneless chicken breasts can dry out and get tough if overcooked. Thighs are a little more forgiving and flexible and won't dry out quite as fast.

I find that the best way to ensure a juicy, tender chicken breast every time is to use a meat thermometer. Toward the end of cooking time, use the thermometer to test the internal temperature of larger chicken pieces. Chicken is considered safe to eat once it reaches an internal temperature of 165℉. Serve promptly.

Storing Leftovers

• Store slow cooker chicken leftovers in an airtight container or zipper-top bag.  They will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator.  
• Frozen leftovers will last 3-4 months in the freezer. 
• For best results, defrost frozen leftovers in the refrigerator prior to gently reheating.   

😉Hints & hacks

1. Slow cooker liners are an optional but helpful hack whenever using a slow cooker. They allow you to cook with little to no cleanup. I like to buy mine in bulk for a cheaper per-piece price.
2. Use a silicone or wooden spoon when mixing in your slow cooker to avoid scratching
3. This easy recipe works with breasts, thighs or even a combination of both, depending on your preference. Keep in mind that breasts will always come out dryer than thighs.
4. To confirm when chicken is finished cooking, I suggest a meat thermometer. Chicken that is overcooked will be dry and rubbery. According to the FDA, chicken is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
5. In the case of accidental overcooking of the chicken, shred chicken and mix fully with sauce.  This is a great way to get the best end result.  
6. Always double-check to make sure your slow cooker is plugged in and turned on!  Nothing is worse than coming home to a cold crockpot! 🤪