Comfort Crockpot Food: Balsamic "Pantry" Chicken

If you're on the east coast right now, you are getting slammed with dreary, rain-soaking, want-to-stay-in-bed-all-day weather {Thanks, Joaquin}. But I have a reason for you to get out of bed—even if it's just for 10 minutes to throw together this warm, comforting, Crockpot Balsamic Chicken. And by "throw together," I really do mean, throw together - with any canned, jarred or frozen ingredients you have on hand.

You know the saying "everything but the kitchen sink?" That totally applies here. The base of this recipe is chicken breast and a balsamic glaze that is too die for. Everything else is free game. Feeling Italian? Go for tomatoes, onions, garlic & fresh hearty herbs like basil. Feeling Greek? Go for olives, peppers, red onions & oregano. In this case, I was feeling, "ooooh, look, this might go good!" I raided the pantry, the fridge and the freezer for this flavor-packed hearty meal that was ready in 10 minutes...plus 4 hours of simmer time. 

 

Balsamic "Pantry" Chicken in the Crockpot

Servings: 4-6

Total time: 10 minutes, plus 4 hours

Ingredients

• 4-6 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts {thawed, if frozen}
• 1 medium onion, sliced thinly
• 1 can tomato, okra, corn mix {juices included}
• 1 can artichoke hearts {I poured out most of the juice and reserved a tiny bit for extra flavor}
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 4 cloves of fresh garlic {or, if you're lazy like me...2 Tbsp of jarred chopped garlic}
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp each: oregano, basil and rosemary
• 1/2 tsp thyme
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes {or a couple pinches - we like spice!}
• S&P to taste

Instructions

1. Spray crockpot with Pam (or greaser of choice) & set crockpot to High.
2. Drizzle in olive oil, then lay in chicken breasts {flat} and sprinkle with S&P.
3. Top with sliced onions, pantry/freezer findings, sprinkle on garlic and remaining seasonings. {Basically, throw the rest of the ingredients BUT the balsamic vinegar in the pot.}
4. Drizzle everything with balsamic vinegar.
5. Set and forget for four hours!

Depending on the flavors you went with, you can serve over rice, quinoa, pasta, orzo, or eat by it's lonesome! The above version touts less than 200 calories per cup, before the "base" {in my case I served over quinoa & drizzled with a Tbsp of balsamic glaze}.

Rainy days may be dreary, but at least they're delicious! 

XO,

Nik

Psst...More delicious comfort food:

Deemed the "Best Chili on Earth"