Rustic Italian Chicken

Rustic Italian Chicken

This is another crockpot recipe that you can set in the morning and have a great dinner waiting for you at night. It is also one of my go-to ‘meal-train’ recipes. It can freeze well and is great for left overs. Served over noodles (gluten free for us) or with hearty loaf of bread and a side salad and it makes a full meal.

Chop up an onion and some garlic (2 cloves). Next, throw everything in the crockpot. Cook on low for 6 hours, shred the chicken and add back to the sauce.

Cook up some noodles when you’re ready to eat and top with some mozzarella or parmesan. Bow-tie noodles (Farfalle) are my favorite with this dish but I have yet to find a gluten-free version. We typically use gluten free Rotini with this dish.

Rustic Italian Chicken

Ready in 6hr 15 minutes15 minutes of active time

Serves 4 people

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1lbs boneless, skinless, chicken breasts (can also use chicken thighs)
  • ground black pepper and salt, to taste
  • 1 onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp. dried oregano
  • 1 tsp. dried basil
  • 1 tsp. dried rosemary
  • ½ tsp. dried thyme
  • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1x 14.5 oz. cans diced tomatoes
  • 1x 14.5 oz. can of cannellini beans (drained & rinsed)
  • 1/2 box of bow-tie pasta (16oz)

PREPARATION

  1. Slice an onion and mince the garlic gloves.
  2. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, and then place them in the slow cooker.
  3. Layer sliced onion on top of chicken. Sprinkle herbs and garlic cloves over the top. Pour in vinegar and top with tomatoes. 
  4. Cook on low for 6 hours; turn crockpot to warm setting
  5. Remove chicken, shred and return to crockpot with sauce
  6. Cook pasta
  7. Serve chicken, beans & sauce over pasta
  8. Optional: top with mozzarella or parmesan; serve with fresh bread
  9. Enjoy!

TIPS

  • To freeze: once cooled, place chicken, beans & sauce in a Ziploc bag and freeze flat.
  • Favorite pasta to use is Farfalle.
  • Can be cooked on high for 2-3 hours if you want this to be ready faster.
  • This recipe can be doubled with no issues.