So I’m a fan of the crockpot. It does require planning and not being out of the house for more than 8 hours but it’s always worth it. A guy I dating in college loved using it so much that when we went on a road trip he insisted on me bringing the crock pot along for easy meals (in hindsight he was stingy and kind of wierd).
Any time Jared or I stay home from work we try to make a crockpot meal.
Here are my three favorite crockpot recipes:
1. Creamy chicken over rice (my favorite)
This is in the top five favorite recipes for sure and SO EASY (only four ingredients). The original recipe from my grandmother calls for a whole block (8 oz. ) of cream cheese, but I use half.
Throw these four things in the crockpot and cook on low for 8 hours. Serve over rice. It serves about 4 and is SO delicious.
1. Three large chicken breasts
2. one can of cream of chicken soup
3. one half a package of reduced fat cream cheese (4 0z)
4. Italian seasoning (a teaspoon or so. eyeball it.)
It’ll be really thick and you won’t be able to stir it for a couple hours but after that it’ll all come together. Don’t be tempted to add water, it doesn’t need it. The chicken should fall apart when it’s ready. I usually break up the breasts a bit with a fork before serving so there are large chunks rather than whole breasts.
2. Beef Stew
This is a Ricks family favorite. I guess it’s kind of warm right now for stew but next time there’s a rainy day you really should try it. The amount of each of the ingredients can vary depending on what you like. I like meat, so I like to put in plenty of that.
Put these items in the crockpot in this order: (so the onions are at the bottom of the pot, then steak, etc. Tomato soup on top. )
2 onions, cut into bite sized pieces
1 london broil steak cut into bite sized pieces (eyeball the amount)
3-4 idaho potatoes peeled and cut into pieces
one can of french cut beans
one can of stewed tomatoes
one can of tomato soup
generous amount of salt and pepper
Cook on low for about 7-8 hours. Serve with some homemade bread or biscuits.
3. Pork Chalupas (jared’s favorite)
This is a new recipe that we found and have loved. It makes a ton and we’ve been eating leftovers in burritos all week long. You can also use chicken instead of pork. I serve it with spanish rice.
Recipe here
liz!are you sure about the Italian seasoning? Is is dry Italian dressing or is it maybe a teaspoon and not a tablespoon? Because I made this today and whoa! That tasted like Italian seasoning.
i like to call it a “slow cooker”. sounds more modern. less grandma. and less like the word crotch.
yeah my crock pot only has two settings low and high but maybe i need to get a nicer one that has a ‘superlow’ setting!
. . .you can put it on the really super slow setting. . . I’ve done that and it works- guess it depends on the meal
thanks for the cafe rio pork recipe, will DEFINITELY try
yeah we leave it at home but usually we’re gone for more than 8 hours and it will overcook
the crock pot/slow cooker is designed such that you can leave the house and come home to a cooked meal. Great for busy folks. No need to sit at home. My mom and I have both done it for years and no houses have burned down : ) It’s safe, I promise.
can someone please verify that maret’s recipe is the actual cafe rio recipe?
I’m glad you posted this–I want to try the chicken one asap.
I love the chicken dish and the Ricks family Beef Stew. Definitely comfort food.
Cafe Rio Pork Pork Loin or Pork Roast – cook in crock pot on low for 7-9 hours in sauce or until it pulls apart.Sauce: 18 oz Coca-Cola Classic (do not use diet or generic)1 Cup sugar1 7 oz can Chipotle Chilies in ADOBO Sauce (since you use the sauce and not the chilies, it is important that you get exactly that.)1 tsp dry ground mustard – heaping1 tsp minced garlic. Remove chilies from the can of adobo sauce. Rinse chilies with the coke to get all the sauce. Discard. Also rinse can with coke to get all remaining sauce. Put all ingredients in blender. Blend, pour over pork in crock pot. After cooking, pull apart with forks into bite size pieces. Leave in sauce while you serve it. Dressing: 1 envelope Buttermilk ranch dressing1 cup milk1 cup mayonaise1/2 bunch cilantro2 tomatillos2 serano peppers with seeds removed.Coarse chop and blend all together in blender. Let sit & chill to thicken.Buy flour tortillas, make or buy salsa, make some guacamole and serve your own Cafe Rio pork salad at home!
Yum, that chicken one sounds extra divine. Thanks for the recipes.
Thanks. Yummy crock pot meals. It’s so nice to come home at the end of the day and smell your tasty dinner waiting. The chicken one is a favorite of cousin Emily Fawson. Her recipe uses the whole envelope of Good Seasons dressing mix, and she cuts the chicken in pieces to start.