This recipe combines the comforting flavors of classic stove top stuffing with tender, juicy crock pot chicken for a satisfying and effortless meal. Perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions, this dish requires minimal hands-on time and delivers maximum flavor. Forget about complicated recipes – this one's a winner!
What Makes This Recipe Special?
This recipe isn't just about throwing ingredients into a pot. We've focused on maximizing flavor and texture. The chicken cooks slowly in the crock pot, resulting in incredibly moist and tender meat. Simultaneously, the stove top stuffing cooks to a perfect golden brown, with a satisfyingly crispy texture that complements the succulent chicken beautifully. The combination of slow-cooked chicken and quickly prepared stuffing makes this a surprisingly efficient meal.
Ingredients:
For the Crock Pot Chicken:
- 1.5-2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Stove Top Stuffing:
- 1 box stove top stuffing mix (your favorite flavor)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (from the crock pot)
Instructions:
Crock Pot Chicken:
- Place chicken in the crock pot.
- Drizzle with olive oil and season generously with salt, pepper, thyme, and rosemary.
- Pour chicken broth over the chicken.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, or until chicken is cooked through and easily shreds with a fork.
Stove Top Stuffing:
- While the chicken is cooking, prepare the stuffing. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add onion and celery and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the stuffing mix according to package directions, using 1/2 cup of the reserved chicken broth from the crock pot.
- Cook until golden brown and crispy, stirring frequently.
Combining and Serving:
- Once the chicken is cooked, shred it with two forks.
- You can either mix the shredded chicken into the stuffing or serve them side-by-side.
- Garnish with fresh herbs (parsley or thyme) if desired.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use different herbs and spices?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with your favorite herbs and spices. Sage, oregano, and paprika would all complement the chicken and stuffing beautifully.
Can I use bone-in chicken?
Yes, you can use bone-in chicken, but you'll need to adjust the cooking time accordingly. It will likely take longer to cook through. Expect to cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-6 hours.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
The chicken can be cooked ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The stuffing is best made fresh, but you can prepare the vegetables ahead of time.
What kind of stuffing mix should I use?
You can use any type of stove top stuffing mix you prefer – herb, seasoned, or even cornbread stuffing.
Can I add vegetables to the stuffing?
Yes! Adding other vegetables like mushrooms, carrots, or bell peppers would enhance the flavor and nutrition of your stuffing.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
No, this recipe is not inherently gluten-free due to the use of a standard stuffing mix. To make it gluten-free, you will need to find a gluten-free stuffing mix.
This crock pot chicken and stove top stuffing recipe is a simple yet elegant way to enjoy a comforting and delicious meal. The combination of textures and flavors is sure to please everyone at the table. Enjoy!
