Slow Cooker recipe - Chicken and Lentil Stew

I have a rule about summer foods vs. winter foods. For me it's pretty clear cut. Crock pot recipes, like stews and soups are reserved for the winter when we are craving warm, comfort food. During the summer months I like to  make things that are light and fresh; lots of cold foods and plenty of grilling.


I recently broke my own rules by making this Chicken with Lentil Stew. The reason for the blatant anarchy was the need for having a healthy homemade meal without spending lots of time in the kitchen. I have been so busy this summer that by the time I get around to cooking it's either too late or I'm tired.

The crock pot takes care of that! So without further delay, here's my newest "go to" recipe!

Chicken with Lentil Stew

Ingredients:

6 boneless chicken breasts cubed
1 bag of lentils rinsed
3 plum tomatoes chopped
3 potatoes w/o skin and cut into chunks
3 cloves of garlic
1/2 onion
1 tbp tomato paste
2 chicken boullion
1 tsp rosemary
2 bay leaves
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup red cooking wine
Water to cover everything

Directions:

• Sautee chicken with garlic and onion until browned
• Place chicken with garlic and onion in crock pot
• Add all of the other ingredients to the crock pot (except potaotes)
• Set the crock pot for 6 hours.
• At about the 3rd hour add the potatoes

Optional ingredients:

• Peas
• Carrots
• Celery
• Bacon (pre-cooked)

These can all be added at the last hour.

Enjoy!