Crockpot Saucy Chicken (or Meatballs)

[AnnaMatrix]

With the scorching days of summer upon us, thought I'd revive this topic with a super-easy recipe for chicken or meatballs in the Crock-pot

2 lbs unbreaded, frozen chicken tenders, or frozen meatballs
1 can whole-berry cranberry sauce
1 (12 oz.) bottle chili sauce (this isn't chile, like with beans, but a ketchup-like condiment; if you can't find it, substitute ketchup)

Don't thaw the meat. Put in Crock-pot, dump sauces over. Cook 6-8 hours on low. That's it! If sauce is too liquid, you can thicken it with a little cornstarch. We serve this over egg noodles, with a salad. (If carbs are an issue, I've used a bag of frozen cranberries and 1/4 - 1/2 cup Splenda instead of the cranberry sauce, and sugar-free ketchup). Hope you like it! Gail

[Deleted]

Oh, yum!!!!!

I'll definitely try this one...we just went from highs in the mid-70's to a predicted 104 tomorrow! Arrrrrrrrrrgh!

[AnnaMatrix]

Yup, Diane, we'll be pushing 100 tomorrow, too! And to top it off, our AC is on the fritz!! Hope DH can fix it when he gets home from his bike ride today. Stay cool! Gail

[Basketlady]

This does sound yummy! Thanks for the low carb tip. I'm working hard on my blood sugar levels. We had a bad allergy season and they were so wonky. (Stress/illness on the body does crazy things. )

We grill here tons in the summer. Ok, all year round, really. But lots more in the summer. It's been so nice here and the back deck is shaded by dinner time. We ate spaghetti and meatballs out there last night. A funny meal for the deck, but it was so peaceful. I love the lazy days of summer!

Michelle

[Cat]

Gail, anything to keep the house cool this time of year works for me. Stinks your air is not working, hope you hubby gets working soon.

I love my crock pots; I've been guilty of setting mine outside on our porch when we are grilling. (Baked beans work great)

Michelle, in the summer I add fresh vegies to my spaghetti sauce.
(would love eating anything on a shaded back deck in the summer. My backyard is sunny and bright all year around; great in winter, but summertime its on the warm side.)

In my crock pot I add browned ground beef with onions to steamed chopped tomatoes, tomato sauce, steamed carrots (still a little crunchy), chopped mushrooms, spaghetti spices.

Simmer mixture on high for about 1 hour while I steam yellow and green squash leaving it a little crunchy. I then add the squash to the crock pot letting it cook on low another 30 minutes or so. (have used blanched fresh corn cut of the cob too)

I serve it over whole wheat pasta.

In the Fall I have feed 5 to 7 teenagers this for lunch along with homemade garlic bread and never heard a complaint about not liking veggies.



Hugs & Prayers

Cat

[lovesqk]

It is a small world. I am the guest chef at my LSS for the month of July recipe club. July is chicken. The recipe has to be in a crock pot since there are no cooking facilities at the LSS. I was looking for something easy and good to bring. You just have small serving and there are about 16 people. I found almost the same recipe in my Fix It and Forget It cookbook. You use 1 cup BBQ sauce instead of chili sauce. I made it Saturday as a test run before the club. It was really good. I am now asking friends if they have a rice steamer so I could serve rice with it. Noodles sound good too. Any suggestions for getting noodles to the LSS warm enough to eat. How about cooking them ahead and dumping them in the crock pot about 15 minutes before eating to rewarm in all the sauce?

[Cat]

Tip: Cook noodles or paste according to directions

Pull from stove as soon as they are done, drain, pour noodle / pasta into very cold or ice water, cool completely (but don't let them set )

When cooled out drain again (I usually pour mine out on a paper towel covered cookie sheet. )

When drained (almost completely dry) store in refrigerator in air tight bag or bowl.

I add noodles/pasta to crock pot about a hour before serving setting crock pot on warm /simmer depending on the pot.

I do this for my chicken noodle soup and spaghetti when I take it to work for a crowd (Usually 2 large crock pots....no leftovers to take home)

You can fix your pasta the same way to freeze it. I usually add sauce to my pasta before freezing. I have found letting it thaw in refrigerator it doesn't break up as bad.

I haven't had good results freezing egg noodles. I usually fix my chicken noodle soup without the noodles then freeze. I just cook my noodles while heating my chicken mixture then add them.


Hope this helps.


Hugs & Prayers
Cat

[lovesqk]

Thanks so much Cat. I'll try it for the recipe club.

[AnnaMatrix]

Thanks for the tip, Cat! I never would have thought I could add the pasta to the crockpot without it getting overcooked... Yay! Gail
PS: AC now back on as of last PM. Got up to 93 in our house Sunday. I've never been so happy to go to work on a Mon morning in my life!

[Cat]

Another Tip: Dip the noodles/ pasta into boiling water just before
serving to re-heat them. I have a wire basket I drop
into the boiling water so its easier to pull them out.
You can drop them loose too. Just drain as usual.


We used this last tip for a Band Booster fund raisers. We cooked our spaghetti noodles the day before using the other tip.
Night of fund raiser we had several huge pots of boiling water going.....we would drop noodles in then use a large skimmer to dip them out ......placing them in large warm colanders in warming tables to finish draining.....

Served noodles with meat sauce & grated cheese, garlic bread , salad, desserts, and ice tea.
It was one of our best fund raisers every year.

We used money we made to take about 300 to 375 kids on a big trip every other year and a smaller the other year. The kids were only out their extra spending money. We paid for whole trip and all meals.
We worked with a great group of parents and loved every minute.
Was a great 15 years...yes that's what happens when you have your kids 4 years apart and band starts in 6th grade.



Cat