Asian Inspired Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

I'm at it again. Asian inspired meals make my husband happy and anything I can throw in the crockpot makes me even happier. This dinner came together so quickly and was absolutely delicious. Dare I say the leftovers were even yummier throughout the week for lunch? We are huge fans of Kings Hawaiian bread and using the buns and rolls makes a huge difference. Did you know they just came out with Kings Hawaiian sliced bread?! You're welcome.

Ingredients
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/3 cup plus 2 tbsp Hoisin sauce
3 tbsp ketchup
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp soy sauce
3 cloves minced garlic
1 tbsp plus 1 tsp Sriracha
2 tsp toasted seasame oil
(I left out 1 tbsp fresh ginger, I don't like the flavor)
3lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, raw

Coleslaw and buns
1 bag/4 cups raw broccoli slaw
3 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp plus 1 tsp sugar
2 tsp Srirach
1 tsp sesame oil
Buns (we used Kings Hawaiian slider buns)

1. Mix together all ingredients above chicken in a medium bowl.
2. Lay chicken in crockpot and top with sauce mixture
3. Cook 4-6 hours, depending on your crockpot (mine cooks super fast)
4. Mix together coleslaw ingredients and let sit in fridge for at least 30 minutes
5. Once chicken is cooked, pull apart with two forks
6. Top buns with chicken and coleslaw.
7. Enjoy!

My picture is not great but take my word for it and make these!

Original Recipe

Crockpot Cashew Chicken

All of the sudden I've been having cravings for Asian inspired dishes which makes my husband very very happy. I am also utilizing my crock pot a lot more because it's nice outside and we've been spending the afternoons in the backyard or at the park and the last thing I want to do is come home and stand over a hot stove for an hour making dinner. I know in the coming months we'll be at the pool in the afternoons as well so I want to add more recipes to my recipe box for the summer. This cashew chicken caught my eye because I love cashews and was excited to try it. It took a little prep in the morning which is fine because I always try to do chores or meal prep during Lucy's morning nap while I let Ford watch a show or play on the iPad. It was pretty darn easy and so delicious!

Ingredients
2lbs boneless skinless chicken, raw
1/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp canola oil
Sauce
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tsbp ketcup
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp Red pepper flakes (more if you want spicier)
3/4 cup lightly salted cashews
Green onions
White rice

1. Cut chicken into 1 inch cubes. In a bowl coat chicken in flour and pepper.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet and pan sear chicken for 5 minutes (you do not have to fully cook the chicken)
3. Meanwhile, stir together soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes.
4. Place chicken in crock pot and top with mixed sauce
5. Cook on low for 3-4 hours
6. Stir in cashews right before serving
7. Serve with white rice and topped with chopped green onions

Crockpot BBQ Beer Chicken Sandwiches

I am always looking for easy crockpot recipes to feed a crowd. This particular recipe came to the rescue when we hosted my family for a last minute Mother's Day lunch and I knew I wouldn't have time to prepare food after church. I love recipes where I have all the ingredients on hand too. This crockpot BBQ beer chicken did not disappoint!
Ingredients- serves 8-10 3lbs boneless skinless chicken breast 1 tbsp onion powder 1 tbsp paprika 1 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp pepper 8oz bottle of beer (I used a Shiner) 1 bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce, 16-18oz Sandwich fixings- buns, specialty cheeses (Muenster was delish!), jalepenos
1. Place chicken breast in the bottom of the crockpot 2. Mix in spices, beer, and BBQ sauce 3. Cook for 4-6 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low depending on your crockpot 4. Be sure to shred the meat as you go 5. Serve warm on buns and with toppings of your choice!

original recipe

3 envelope pot roast sliders

I am a huge fan of roast in the crockpot but often times it's hard to get a great flavor. We ate leftovers of this delicious meal for days because it was THAT good! I don't think I will ever use another roast recipe. And the meat doesn't have to be used for only sliders, you can throw in carrots and potatoes to make a traditional roast meal. 
Ingredients 1 3-4lb beef roast 2 cups water 1.5 cups salsa 1 envelope onion soup mix 1 envelope Italian dressing mix 1 envelope Au Jus Mix Slider fixings- Kings Hawaiian rolls, deli cheese (Jon liked blue cheese and I chose Muenster)
1. Whisk together the water, salsa, and envelopes in a small bowl 2. Place roast in the crockpot and pour the water/salsa over top 3. Cook for 4-6 hours depending on your crockpot and stir/shred throughout the cooktime 4. Serve up as sliders and enjoy!

Crockpot Smoky White Bean Chicken Chili

I am always on the hunt for new recipes to throw into my crockpot and sometimes, like this one, I use a regular soup/chili recipe and adjust it to cook in my crockpot. As a workin' lady, throwing a bunch of junk into the crockpot is easier than spending 1-2 hours after work in the kitchen. My husband is the king of protein and this chili rocks on the protein scale! And it goes great with the beer bread I posted last week.

Ingredients
3 slices uncooked bacon, chopped
1 whole large white onion, diced
3 cloves chopped garlic
3 large raw chicken breasts
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp chili powder
5 cups chicken broth
1 can (28-ounce Size) diced tomatoes
4 cans (14.5 Ounce Size) White Beans, Cannelini Or Great Northern
2 cans (4 Ounce Size) diced green chilies
Salt And Pepper, to taste


1. Pour all ingredients into crockpot and stir to combine
2. Cook on low for 6 hours, stirring and shredding chicken occasionally
3. Serve warm topped with shredded cheese, cottage cheese, cilantro, etc. 

Soup is hard to photograph!

Crockpot Beef Stroganoff

So when I think of beef stroganoff, all I can think of are those Dinty Moore microwave meals...weird huh? I remember thinking I was so cool bringing those to school in middle school instead of a childish PB&J. Haha. Anyway, I decided to try my hand at making it on my own and in the crockpot...hello easy! It was delicious! 

Ingredients

2 pounds stew beef
2 cans golden mushroom soup
1 large onion diced
3-4 tbsp of Worcestershire
1/2 cup water
1 8 oz block of cream cheese

Egg noodles

1. Combine all ingredients (minus the beef, cream cheese, and egg noodles) and mix thoroughly in the crockpot

2. Add the beef 

3. Cook on low for 5-6 hours (depending on your crockpot) 

4. Cut up the cream cheese into chunks and melt in the last 10 minutes of cooking

5. Serve over cooked egg noodles

original recipe

Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing

Jon called this meal Thanksgiving in the crockpot :-)

Ingredients

4 thawed chicken breasts

6oz. package of stuffing mix

1/2 cup sour cream

1 can of cream of chicken soup
1/4 cup water

1. Put your chicken in the crockpot

2. Pour the package of stuffing on top

3. Mix together the water, sour cream and cream of chicken soup well. 

4. Pour your mixture over the stuffing

5. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.

6. Fluff and serve! Enjoy!!

(next time I make this I want to try adding some veggies)

Crockpot chicken and dumplings

My mouth is watering writing this post. I want to make this recipe every single week. Jon and I both LOVE chicken and dumplings (especially from Cracker Barrell). Thank you Pinterest (again) for introducing me to this recipe, I am forever indebted.

Ingredients

4-6  large boneless skinless chicken breasts

2 tbsp butter

2 cans cream of chicken soup

1 (15 oz) can chicken broth

1 medium onion diced

1 tbsp dried parsley

6-8 refrigerator biscuits or crescent rolls (raw)...my favorite is Crescents but this time I used whole wheat biscuits and it was still delicious!
*serves 5

1. Put defrosted chicken in the crockpot
2. Add butter, cream of chicken soups and chicken broth and stir to combine
3. Add the onions and parsley, stir again
4. Cook on low for 4-6 hours (depends on your crockpot) stirring occasionally and shredding the chicken as it cooks
5. 30min-1hour before you plan on eating, cut the raw biscuits or crescents into fourths and add to the crockpot. Cook on low for another 30min-1 hour. 

ENJOY!!

3 Ingredient Crockpot Pulled Pork

I am not the biggest pork fan, in fact I will really only eat pork if it is in bbq. Yes I am one of those crazy people that doesn't really like bacon or ham. My mouth is watering and stomach is rumbling while thinking about this recipe. It is the juiciest, most flavorful pulled pork ever! And hello, 3 ingredients and a crock pot. I think you can manage to make it.

Ingredients

2-2.5lb pork tenderloin (NOT pork loin, tenderloin is the long piece of meat)

1 12oz. can root beer (I couldn't find 1 can so I measured out 1.5 cups)

1 18oz. bottle of bbq sauce (I used sweet baby rays)

*8 buns, wraps or bread to serve

1. Pour ingredients into your crockpot

2. Cook on low for 6 hours

3. Shred meat and enjoy!

There wasn't time to photograph the meat being used as actual sandwiches, it is THAT good!

Baked potato crock pot soup

All I have to say is God Bless Pinterest for this recipe :-)

Ingredients

1 30oz bag of frozen, shredded hash browns

3 14oz cans of chicken broth

1 can of cream of chicken soup

1/2 cup onion, chopped

1/4 tsp ground pepper

1 pkg. cream cheese (use full fat, fat free won't melt!)

*shredded cheese, green onions, bacon, sour cream----whatever you want to garnish

1. Combine everything EXCEPT for the cream cheese in the crockpot

2. Cook for 6-8 hours on low heat.  

3. About 1 hour before serving, add cream cheese and keep heated until thoroughly melted (stirring helps)

4. Let cool and add your toppings (we used shredded cheese and green onions)

This soup was so delicious and creamy. I loved the shredded potatoes rather than huge chunks of potato and the cream cheese added so much flavor.

Enjoy!

Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili

This delicious crockpot recipe comes from The Fitnessista. There's not much to say besides that it is GOOD! Filling, healthy, easy, delicious!

Ingredients

2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced

1 small onion, diced

1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced

1 can black beans, drained

1 14 oz can diced tomatoes, drained

1.5 cups veggie broth

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 tbsp chili powder

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp paprika

A pinch cayenne

1/2 t salt
*Optional, 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into chunks

1. Combine all ingredients in crockpot

2. Cook on low for 4-6 hours (my crockpot cooks SO fast!)

3. Let cool and enjoy!

Unconventional Crockpot Lasagna

A Facebook friend of mine shared a recipe for crockpot lasagna with me a couple of weeks ago and it has been on my "to make list". I've been on a mission to clean out our freezer which usually results in a crockpot meal and lasagna came to mind. Unfortunately I didn't have all the ingredients for the dish (and I was too lazy to drive 1 mile to the grocery store) so I created my own little concoction that I will definitely be making again!

Ingredients

1 lb ground meat 

2 cups pasta sauce (I used a homemade sauce I had in the freezer that Jon made a couple weeks ago)

1 10oz package of frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

1 15oz jar of ricotta cheese

2 cups chopped tomatoes

3 cups uncooked pasta

1/2 cup water

1/2 tbsp onion powder

1/2 tbsp garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

1. Super easy...add all the ingredients into the crockpot

2. Cook on high for 4 hours, stirring every hour

3. Enjoy!

Jon IM'ed me the next morning at work saying "guess what I had for breakfast?". Now my husband is known for eating to most random assortment of foods together...lunch may be a can of refried beans (out of the can, not heated), peanut butter toast and a protein shake. He was excited to tell me he was chowing down on some "unconventional lasagna for an unconventional breakfast". I love that he will eat anything!

Do you ever "make up" recipes and they turn out to be spectacular?? I seem to be doing that a lot lately! Please share!
 

Cheesy Crockpot Mexican Chicken

I can't remember where but I saw a similar recipe either on a blog or in a magazine but since I couldn't find it, I made my own version (and it turned out GREAT!). I am starting to become obsessed with my crock pot for the sheer easiness of the whole process and cleanup.

Ingredients

4-5 boneless skinless chicken breasts (raw)

1 16oz jar of salsa

1 can corn, drained

1 can black beans, drained

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 8oz. block of cream cheese

1. Put all ingredients MINUS the cream cheese into the crock pot and mix well

2. Cook on low for 6 hours stirring occasionally and shredded chicken as it cooks

3. 30 minutes before you are ready to eat, drop the block of cream cheese into the crock pot. It will melt pretty quickly but make sure you stir it all in

Serve warm in tortillas or over tortilla chips. Enjoy!

Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie

You're lying if you say you aren't a huge fan of chicken pot pie! The drawback about CPP is not many restaurants serve it and the frozen ones are mediocre. Since I've been obsessed with my crockpot, I thought I'd give some homemade chicken pot pie a try following no recipe...that's my style. Jon and I found this meal delicious but bare with me if it needs tweaking.

Ingredients

2lb raw, boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2 cans cream of chicken soup

1 16 oz bag frozen mixed vegetables (I use the carrot, pea, corn and green bean mix)

5 medium potatoes cubed

Garlic powder and salt to season 

1 tube of biscuits (I use the Pillsbury whole wheat)

1. Cut up the raw chicken breasts into cubes or tenders and add to crockpot
2. Cover chicken breasts with cream of chicken soup and stir in potatoes.
3. Cook on low for 5-6 hours stirring occasionally and breaking up the chicken pieces 
4. 30 minutes before eating, add the whole package of frozen veggies and stir to make sure they are fully combined. Sprinkle with garlic and salt (to taste) and let finish cooking.
5. Bake the biscuits according to the instructions and serve warm with the chicken pot pie.
6. Enjoy!

Crockpot salsa chicken

EASY RECIPE ALERT!

Ingredients

3-4 chicken breasts- raw and thawed

1 medium sized jar of salsa

1. Place the chicken in the crockpot and pour salsa over the top. Make sure there is enough liquid to almost cover the chicken
2. Cook on high for 4-6 hours, stir and pull apart meat every 1-2 hours
   
3. Juiciest, easiest, most delicious meal yet! 

Jon was practically making love to this chicken...it was THAT good. You could even stuff it into a couple of tortillas and call it a taco! Great for salads too! Hope you enjoy!