Chicken Coop Plans

I mentioned earlier in the week a bit about my weekend work of packing a bunch of freezer meals.  I also mentioned that if any turned out really well I would share them.  Well, this one meets that criteria!  Its definitely a meal we will continue to keep in the rotation.

While you certainly dont have to throw it together as a freezer meal, it makes it so much easier to have everything already measured out and ready to go.  If you forget to unthaw it, you can add it to the slow-cooker frozen and add just a half hour or so to the cooking time.  Also, you can cut this recipe down or add additional chicken and sauce, depending on your family size.  The cooking time will stay the same.

The plus and minus of chicken in the slow-cooker:

The minus - it can only cook for a few hours so, it makes it a difficult dish to put in on a workday.
The plus - chicken cooks very well in a slow-cooker.  It turns out moist and delicious!!

It is recommended that boneless, skinless chicken thighs cook for 4-5 hours in a slow-cooker on low.  Im not sure if its just my slow-cooker or not, but I can tell you that 5 hours in my slow-cooker is a bit too long.  It starts to get a tad bit dry.  I go with 4 hours only.  If youve never cooked chicken thighs in yours, test after 4 hours.  If they are tender enough to easily pull apart with a fork, they are done.



Honey Sesame Slow-Cooker Chicken

2 pounds skinless, boneless, chicken thighs
1 small onion, chopped
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
1 Tablespoon olive oil
pinch red pepper flakes {use more if you like it spicy and omit if you prefer no spice}

When ready to cook:
sesame seeds
2-3 green onions, sliced

Preparing as a freezer meal:
In a gallon size freezer bag, add all ingredients except sesame seeds and green onions.  Label bag including cooking instructions {including to add sesame seeds and sliced green onions after cooking, if desired}.  Freeze for up to 3 months.

Cooking:
Put bag in the refrigerator for 24 hours prior to cooking to allow to un-thaw.  {if you forget and its not completely un-thawed, it will be fine}.  Add all contents to the slow-cooker, squeezing out the juices from the bag.  Discard freezer bag.

Cook on low, in covered slow-cooker, 4-5 hours {see note above}.

Serve with a few sesame seeds and sliced green onions sprinkled over the top.