Discover the Joy of Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes with Green Beans

Slow cooker meals are a lifesaver on busy weeknights, and this Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes with Green Beans recipe is no exception. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep, you can have a hearty, flavorful dinner waiting for you at the end of the day. The tender chicken, roasted potatoes, and fresh green beans make for a well-rounded and satisfying meal that the whole family will love.

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The Magic of the Slow Cooker

One of the best things about using a slow cooker is the hands-off convenience it provides. Simply toss all the ingredients into the pot, set it, and forget it! The slow, gentle cooking process allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, resulting in a dish that’s bursting with flavor. Plus, your kitchen will be filled with the mouthwatering aroma of the Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes with Green Beans as it simmers away.

Ingredient Spotlight

The key ingredients in this Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes with Green Beans recipe are, of course, the chicken, potatoes, and green beans. Let’s take a closer look at each one:

• Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs both work well in this dish. Chicken thighs tend to be more flavorful and juicy, but breasts are a leaner option.
• Potatoes: Baby potatoes, such as Yukon Gold or red-skinned, are the perfect choice. They hold their shape well during the long cooking time and have a delightful creamy texture.
• Green Beans: Fresh green beans are best, but you can also use frozen if that’s what you have on hand. The green beans add a nice crunchy texture and bright, fresh flavor to the dish.
• Olive Oil: This healthy fat helps to season and brown the chicken, while also keeping the potatoes from sticking to the slow cooker.
• Garlic: Minced garlic infuses the dish with a savory, aromatic flavor that complements the other ingredients perfectly.
• Italian Seasoning: A blend of dried herbs, such as oregano, basil, and rosemary, adds a delightful Italian flair to the dish.
• Onion Powder: This warming spice enhances the overall flavor profile of the Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes with Green Beans.
• Salt and Pepper: Don’t forget to season the dish generously with salt and pepper to bring out all the flavors.
• Lemon Juice: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end brightens and balances the dish.
• Butter: Adding a few chunks of butter to the slow cooker creates a rich, creamy sauce that’s perfect for spooning over the chicken, potatoes, and green beans.
• Chicken Broth: A bit of low-sodium chicken broth helps to keep the dish moist and flavorful as it cooks.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing this Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes with Green Beans couldn’t be easier:

1. Start by mixing the olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, pepper, and lemon juice in a small bowl. Rub this flavorful mixture all over the chicken breasts (or thighs).
2. Place the seasoned chicken in the bottom of your slow cooker. Arrange the baby potatoes around the chicken, then pour in the chicken broth.
3. Dot the top of the dish with the chunks of butter, then cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and the potatoes are cooked through.
4. About 30 minutes before the Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes with Green Beans is done, add the green beans on top of the other ingredients. Cover and continue cooking until the green beans are tender.
5. Serve the chicken, potatoes, and green beans with the flavorful, buttery broth spooned over the top. Add an extra squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness, if desired.

Nutritional Information

One serving of this Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes with Green Beans dish contains approximately 350 calories, 35g of protein, 40g of carbohydrates, and 10g of fat. It’s a well-balanced meal that’s suitable for gluten-free and low-carb diets. The chicken provides a lean source of protein, the potatoes offer complex carbs and fiber, and the green beans are packed with vitamins and minerals.

Variations and Serving Suggestions

While this Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes with Green Beans recipe is delicious as-is, there are plenty of ways to customize it to your taste:

• Protein Swaps: Try using boneless, skinless turkey thighs or pork tenderloin instead of chicken.
• Vegetable Substitutions: Swap out the green beans for other veggies like carrots, bell peppers, or brussels sprouts.
• Cooking Methods: For a quicker version, you can also make this dish in an Instant Pot or oven-bake it.
• Flavor Variations: Experiment with different herb and spice blends, such as taco seasoning or Cajun spices, to change up the flavor profile.

As for serving, the Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes with Green Beans is delicious on its own, but it also pairs well with a fresh green salad, crusty bread, or a side of your favorite steamed veggies.

More Related Recipes You Might Enjoy

• Honey Garlic Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Green Beans
• Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken and Broccoli Rice Bake
• One-Pot Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shell Skillet

FAQs

Is it okay to put raw chicken in a slow cooker?

Yes, it’s perfectly safe to put raw chicken directly into the slow cooker. The long, low-heat cooking process will ensure the chicken is cooked through and reaches a safe internal temperature.

Can you cook raw chicken and potatoes in the same dish?

Absolutely! The Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes with Green Beans recipe calls for placing the raw chicken and potatoes in the slow cooker together. The potatoes will cook alongside the chicken, absorbing all the delicious flavors.

Can you add green beans to a slow cooker?

Yes, you can definitely add green beans to a slow cooker dish. In this recipe, the green beans are added about 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time to ensure they don’t become overcooked and mushy.

Do you put potatoes in the slow cooker at the same time as meat?

Yes, for this Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes with Green Beans recipe, the potatoes are added to the slow cooker at the same time as the chicken. This allows the potatoes to cook through and become tender alongside the chicken.

Conclusion

With its tender chicken, creamy potatoes, and fresh green beans, this Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes with Green Beans dish is a delicious and easy-to-make meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. The slow cooking process ensures maximum flavor, and the hands-off convenience of the slow cooker makes it a true weeknight lifesaver. Give this recipe a try, and let me know what you think in the comments below!

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