Hello, and happy Monday!
This was one of the best weekends in awhile as we had nothing on the agenda. When life gets crazy, a free weekend is like a rare jewel to be treasured and polished. Or maybe just treasured. I got so much done these past two days! So I guess it actually wasn’t free… Isn’t that funny? Even when there’s nothing scheduled we still find ways to fill the time with chores, errands, etc. Such is life!
Anyway, it was also Ben’s birthday weekend and instead of going out for dinner or drinks he decided he wanted to cook at home all day Saturday. Super random, but also fine by me! Yum, yum. : )
After running out to buy a pasta roller, he spent a few hours rolling and cutting fresh pappardelle pasta to pair with a bolognese sauce full of veggies, pancetta, red wine, fresh rosemary, beef, and pork that he simmered on the stove top all afternoon. (Recipe from his brain – I don’t know how he does it!)
Total success! The slow-cooked sauce was packed with flavor, and you really can’t beat the taste and texture of homemade pasta. Go Ben!
Sunday the boys packed up and headed out to brunch while I worked, then we spent the afternoon at a friend’s house watching football and chowing on Cheeseburger Dip. Think I’ll recreate for ya’ soon.
While the boys were away, I popped the ingredients for Crock Pot Thai Chicken in the crock pot so it’d be ready for dinner after we returned from Sunday funday.
THREE ingredients including a Spicy Peanut Vinaigrette, light coconut milk, and chicken breasts are tossed together in the crock pot, slow cooked all day, and then served over coconut rice. This dish tasted like the islands and could not be simpler.
Like I said – just three ingredients!
Besides 1-1/2lbs chicken breasts, you’ll need 3/4 cup each Spicy Peanut Vinaigrette and Light Coconut Milk, both of which I got at Trader Joe’s. If you don’t have a TJ’s near you, any Asian peanut vinaigrette or even a similar marinade would work instead.
Add all the ingredients to a 5.5 – 6 quart crock pot and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours, or until the chicken is very tender.
When the chicken has about 20 minutes to go, make a batch of Coconut Rice to go underneath. This rice is MA JAM. Ben, who hates all things coconut, is even a fan of this stuff. Start by sauteing 1 chopped green onion, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme (or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme) in 1 Tablespoon coconut oil until tender. Then add 1 cup each light coconut milk and water.
This recipe is great because between the chicken and rice you only need 1 can of light coconut milk!
Bring the liquid to a boil then add 1 cup long grain white rice, pop a lid on top, turn the heat down, and then simmer until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is fluffy, about 15 minutes.
Add a big ‘ol scoop of coconut rice onto a plate then top with a couple pieces of slow cooked chicken and chopped peanuts. Drizzle a bit of the cooking liquid over everything then dig in!
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Crock Pot Thai Chicken
Description
Crock Pot Thai Chicken is a 3 ingredient crock pot dish that's as easy as they come!
Ingredients
- 1-1/2lbs chicken breasts
- 1-14oz can lite coconut milk, divided
- 3/4 cup Trader Joe's Spicy Peanut Vinaigrette (or something similar)
- 1 Tablespoon coconut oil or vegetable oil
- 1 green onion, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped (or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- chopped salted peanuts, optional
Directions
- Cut chicken breasts in half then lay in the bottom of a 5.5 - 6 quart crock pot. Add 3/4 cup coconut milk and 3/4 cup spicy peanut vinaigrette on top then lift chicken breasts to get liquid underneath. Cover and cook on high for 3 hours or low for 6 hours, or until very tender.
- When chicken has 20 minutes left, make Coconut Rice. Heat coconut oil in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Add green onion, garlic, and thyme then saute until tender, 2 minutes. Add remaining coconut milk (1 cup,) water, and salt then bring to a boil. Add rice, place a lid on top, then turn heat down to medium-low and simmer until rice is tender, 15-20 minutes.
- Scoop rice onto plates then top with chicken and drizzle cooking liquid on top. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts, if desired, then serve.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Fresh and tropical tasting, I almost which I had a juicy mango to chop and sprinkle on top. MMM! Hope you enjoy this easy crock pot meal!
Nicole G 10.09.2013
I am trying this recipe out for tonight- looks delish!!!!
Chew HuiTing 10.09.2013
The food looks so good! xo
http://bobsyouruncle-x.blogspot.com
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking 10.08.2013
I’m always looking for delicious CrockPot meals and this looks killer, Kristin! What a perfect dish for spicing up weeknights! And Lincoln’s face? Haha, precious!
Erin 10.08.2013
Mine is in the crock pot perfecting as I type!! Gosh, I am sooo excited to get home and try it. Here’s to hoping my husby doesn’t mess up the rice (I measured out the rice and put it in the pan, coconut milk and water are ready to go) All he has to do is combine and cook- surely he can’t mess that up?! Ha! Ben is a keeper if he makes pasta from scratch and sauce! Keep up the crock pot recipe’s, I am always looking for new ones!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious 10.08.2013
Awww Lincoln’s nervous face is priceless! And this chicken – love seeing crockpot recipes this time of year!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health 10.08.2013
Every time you post a pic of Lincoln, you send my baby fever through the roof!! I can’t even handle the preciousness.
And Ben’s meal is so impressive! Homemade pasta is no joke.
em@simplypresent 10.08.2013
Crockpots + Asian Food = Two of the best things ever!
Tamara 10.08.2013
Oh wow, that chicken and rice looks amazing… and so easy! (The pasta/sauce also looks phenomenal. You two are a double-bill in the kitchen!)
Glad you enjoyed a relaxing (ish) weekend! I had the laziest Sunday ever… I had surgery a month ago and have generally been feeling better. But my Saturday was much busier than I’ve been used to lately, including an evening wedding. I was home by 10:30 and in bed shortly thereafter, but that didn’t stop me from spending the entirety of Sunday on the couch. We binge-watched S1 (it’s “only” 8 episodes) of Broadchurch, an AMAZING British series.
My need to do absolutely nothing on Sunday made me realize that, while I have been feeling nearly back to normal, I’m still very much in the recovery stages of my post-op experience. :)
Thanks for the recipes!
Carrie 10.07.2013
That pasta looks DELISH. Would love to have that recipe too. Crock pot chicken sounds tasty too. I just pulled out my crock pot today and made lemon garlic chicken. Mmmmmmmm. I think the Thai chicken is next.
Kristen 10.07.2013
I have a question about the pasta…any kind of gluten free dough ideas?
Stephanie @cookinfanatic 10.07.2013
Coconut milk is just so darn good! This recipe sounds delicious and so easy, love it :) And speaking of, Lincoln’s faces are ridiculously amazing, so so cute!
Daisy 10.07.2013
Thanks for sharing this, I’m always looking for fun new slow cooker recipes!!!!
Adrienne 10.07.2013
I know a while back you were doing marketing or PR for a local museum. Are you (or were you, pre-Lincoln) still doing that, or are you sticking to the blog and your side gigs now?
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries 10.07.2013
We are a huge fan of Thai food in our house! I love the idea of a Crock Pot version. :)
P.S. Where did you find that absolutely adorable red zip up hoodie for Lincoln?!
Iowa Girl Eats 11.13.2013
American Apparel! :)
Marit 10.07.2013
Not so sure I will EVER make my own pasta.. but will definitely try the crockpot recipe!
Lauren @ Peaks and Passports 10.07.2013
Yum! Both to this recipe and Ben’s pasta. Gotta love a man who can cook! For the Thai Chicken, if I want to add some veggies (maybe potatoes, carrots and broccoli a la Thai curry), would you recommend waiting until the last hour or so of cooking time?
Becky @ Olives n Wine 10.07.2013
Mmmmm!! Now that fall has officially hit Chicago, I’m all about crockpot recipes. My husband is all over Thai food so this is going on my “to make soon” list!
Jamie @ Sometimes Healthy Living Blog 10.07.2013
Once again another recipe to pin! I love your crockpot recipes :-) I recently purchased a thai infused broth so it seems like that might sub in perfectly for this recipe.
As for boys and cooking…my man is the same way. For some reason, he just comes up with stuff in his head…and it works!
Tracy 10.07.2013
Sounds like you actually did “polish” and treasure your free weekend haha!!
Love these easy no fail crock pot meals! Keep ’em coming!
Nichole C 10.07.2013
weekends where you have nothing big planned, are THE best! We had one as well. Can’t wait to make this dish!