Slow Cooker Zucchini and Squash Parmesan

📃Shopping list

To make this easy slow cooker recipe you will need:

• Zucchini - cut in bite size chunks
• Yellow Squash - cut in bite size chunks
• Onion - diced
• Chicken broth
• Lemon juice - fresh squeezed is always best, when possible
• Garlic - minced
• Garlic salt
• Black pepper
• Grated parmesan - LOTS! (freshly grated is especially delicious!)
• Olive oil
• and....if you want to make it into a chicken dish - Chicken - cut into bite-sized pieces (optional)

🔪How to make this great recipe

If you are using a slow cooker liner, that is always the first step (although an easily forgotten one!). If not, start this crock pot recipe by spraying with a non-stick cooking spray.

Next, place cut veggies (and chicken, if using) chunks into the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle with garlic salt and pepper. Mix the remaining ingredients together in a separate bowl and pour over items in the slow cooker.

Cover and cook this healthy recipe on low for 4-5 hours. One to two hours before serving, sprinkle more parmesan over the top, cover, and cook until ready to serve!

↔Options/substitutions

Chicken:

This dish is meant for boneless, skinless chicken pieces. Since we have both white meat and dark meat fans in our house, I generally create recipes using both.

White meat chicken is always drier, especially when slow-cooked. Dark meat is more forgiving and can be cooked longer without drying out. However, thighs (dark meat) are smaller and tend to have more connective tissue.

If you don't have a preference taste-wise, thighs are the way to go. However, if you are a fan of less fatty chicken, stick with those breasts! If you do decide to use breasts and feel they are a little too dry, a great option is to shred them and mix the shreds back into the sauce.

Veggies

If you can't find squash or zucchini in your market, this dish is also wonderful with eggplant or butternut squash.

Cheese

If you would rather not use grated parmesan cheese, pecorino romano also makes for a perfect meal addition. Likewise, you can change it up completely and top with shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese. These softer cheeses will melt fast and will only need to be added in the last 30 minutes or so.

To keep the sodium level lower, feel free to substitute garlic salt with garlic powder or onion powder. It is also wonderful served with some chopped fresh basil or fresh parsley sprinkled over top.

🍽Serving suggestions

With or without chicken, this colorful dish is the best thing to build a great meal around. Without the chicken, it is one of the best side dishes!

It is great served alongside any type of pasta topped with meat sauce and Italian seasoning. Crusty bread is also a perfect pairing. It also makes a great companion for a whole-cooked chicken or a turkey meatloaf. We particularly love it alongside Italian chicken.

Storing leftovers

Leftovers of this amazing dish are delicious served warm or cold. They make a great snack or side dish any day of the week. Store leftovers in an airtight container or zip top bag. Leftovers will stay good in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days.

😉Hints & hacks

1. If you use chicken breasts and feel they are dry, shred them and mix the shreds back into the sauce.
2. To confirm when crockpot chicken is finished cooking, I suggest a meat thermometer. Chicken that is over cooked will be dry and rubbery. According to the FDA, chicken is safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
3. Slow cooker liners are an optional but helpful hack whenever using a crockpot. They allow you to cook with little to no cleanup. I like to buy my liners in bulk for a better per-piece price. 
4. In the market for a new slow cooker? I love mine!