Do you love the mouth-watering, tender, and flavorful hunter’s chicken? Have you ever wondered if you can recreate this delicious dish in a slow cooker? Well, the good news is that you absolutely can! Making hunter’s chicken in a slow cooker is not only possible but also incredibly easy and convenient.
Hunter’s chicken, also known as chicken chasseur, is a classic French dish that features succulent chicken smothered in a rich tomato and mushroom sauce. Traditionally, this dish is cooked slowly on the stove or in the oven to allow the flavors to meld together and the chicken to become tender. However, with the help of a slow cooker, you can achieve the same amazing results with minimal effort.
Using a slow cooker to make hunter’s chicken is a game-changer for busy individuals who want to enjoy a homemade gourmet meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Simply gather the ingredients, toss them into the slow cooker, set the timer, and let the magic happen. The slow cooker gently simmers the chicken and sauce, infusing them with all the delicious flavors while keeping the meat incredibly juicy and tender.
Whether you’re planning a cozy dinner for two or hosting a dinner party, making hunter’s chicken in a slow cooker is a surefire way to impress your guests with minimal hassle. So dust off your slow cooker, grab your apron, and get ready to whip up a scrumptious batch of hunter’s chicken that will have everyone asking for seconds!
Delicious and Easy Hunters Chicken Recipe
If you’re looking for a delicious and easy meal that the whole family will love, then hunters chicken is the perfect choice. This hearty dish is made with tender chicken, tangy barbecue sauce, smoky bacon, and melted cheese. The best part? You can make it in a slow cooker!
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 slices of bacon
- 1 cup of barbecue sauce
- 1 cup of cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 spring onions, thinly sliced (optional for garnish)
Instructions:
- Wrap each chicken breast with 2 slices of bacon, making sure to cover the entire breast.
- Place the bacon-wrapped chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
- Pour the barbecue sauce over the chicken, making sure to coat each breast evenly.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- About 10 minutes before serving, sprinkle the shredded cheese over the chicken and cover again, allowing the cheese to melt.
- Once the cheese has melted, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and transfer to a serving plate.
- Garnish with thinly sliced spring onions, if desired.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
This hunters chicken recipe is a crowd-pleaser and is perfect for any occasion. The slow cooker does all the work for you, making it a convenient and easy option for busy weeknights. Serve it with your favorite side dish, such as mashed potatoes or a fresh salad, for a complete and satisfying meal.
Slow Cooker Hunters Chicken: Tips and Tricks
Slow cooker hunters chicken is a delicious and hearty meal that you can easily make in your slow cooker. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to develop and the chicken to become tender and juicy. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just want a fuss-free dinner, here are some tips and tricks to help you make the perfect slow cooker hunters chicken.
Choose the Right Cut of Chicken
When making slow cooker hunters chicken, it’s important to choose the right cut of chicken. Chicken thighs are ideal for this recipe because they are more flavorful and less likely to become dry during the long cooking process. You can use bone-in or boneless chicken thighs, depending on your preference. If using bone-in thighs, make sure to remove the skin to avoid excessive fat in your dish.
Precook Bacon and Sauté Onions
To enhance the flavors of your slow cooker hunters chicken, it’s a good idea to precook the bacon and sauté the onions before adding them to the slow cooker. Precooking the bacon will render the fat and give it a crispy texture. Sautéing the onions will release their flavors, making them sweeter and more aromatic. This extra step will elevate the taste of your dish.
Ingredients | Instructions |
---|---|
4 chicken thighs | 1. Season the chicken thighs with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. |
4 slices of bacon, precooked | 2. Precook the bacon in a skillet until crispy. Set aside. |
1 onion, diced | 3. Sauté the diced onion in the same skillet until golden brown. Set aside. |
Layer the Ingredients
When assembling your slow cooker hunters chicken, it’s important to layer the ingredients properly. Start by placing the chicken thighs at the bottom of the slow cooker. Top them with the sautéed onions and the precooked bacon. Finally, pour the barbecue sauce over everything, making sure all the ingredients are well coated. This will ensure that the flavors meld together during the cooking process.
Cook on Low for Longer
To achieve the best results, it’s recommended to cook slow cooker hunters chicken on the low setting for a longer time. This allows the chicken to become tender and allows the flavors to fully develop. Cooking on high heat may result in dry and overcooked chicken. Plan for at least 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high, depending on your slow cooker and the size of the chicken thighs.
By following these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to create a delicious and flavorful slow cooker hunters chicken. The long cooking process will ensure that the chicken is tender and packed with flavor. Serve it with some mashed potatoes or crusty bread for a comforting and satisfying meal.
Variations of Slow Cooker Hunters Chicken
Slow cooker hunters chicken is a delicious and comforting dish that can be easily customized to suit your taste. Here are some variations you can try:
- Spicy Hunters Chicken: If you like a little kick in your dish, add some chili powder or crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce for a spicy twist.
- Cheesy Hunters Chicken: For a rich and indulgent version, sprinkle some shredded cheese, such as cheddar or mozzarella, on top of the chicken during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Let it melt and get ooey-gooey delicious!
- Bacon-Wrapped Hunters Chicken: Take your dish to the next level by wrapping each chicken breast with a strip of bacon before placing them in the slow cooker. The bacon will add an extra layer of flavor and keep the chicken moist.
- Mushroom Hunters Chicken: If you’re a mushroom lover, sauté some sliced mushrooms in butter until they are golden brown and add them to the sauce along with the chicken. The earthy flavors of mushrooms will enhance the overall taste of the dish.
- Barbecue Hunters Chicken: Instead of using the traditional tomato-based sauce, use your favorite barbecue sauce to cook the chicken. This variation will give the dish a sweet and tangy flavor that pairs well with the tender chicken.
Feel free to experiment with these variations or create your own twist to make slow cooker hunters chicken uniquely yours. Whatever variation you choose, the slow cooker will do all the hard work of infusing the flavors while you sit back and enjoy a tasty and satisfying meal.
Healthier Alternative: Slow Cooker Hunters Chicken with Turkey
If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to traditional Hunters Chicken, try making it in a slow cooker with turkey instead. This dish is still packed with flavor and is a great option for those who want to reduce their red meat intake.
To make Slow Cooker Hunters Chicken with Turkey, start by gathering the following ingredients:
- 4 turkey breasts
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Once you have all the ingredients, follow these steps:
- Season the turkey breasts with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and dried thyme.
- In a slow cooker, combine the barbecue sauce, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and onion. Mix well.
- Add the seasoned turkey breasts to the slow cooker and coat them with the sauce mixture.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours, until the turkey is cooked through and tender.
- Once the turkey is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks.
- Return the shredded turkey to the slow cooker and mix it with the sauce mixture.
- Cover the slow cooker again and let the flavors meld for an additional 30 minutes to 1 hour on low heat.
- Serve the Slow Cooker Hunters Chicken with Turkey hot, garnished with fresh herbs or a sprinkle of parmesan cheese if desired.
This healthier alternative to traditional Hunters Chicken is a delicious and satisfying dish that you can easily make in a slow cooker. The tender and flavorful turkey pairs perfectly with the rich barbecue sauce and diced tomatoes. Give this recipe a try and enjoy a lighter version of a classic!
Questions and answers
Is it possible to make Hunters Chicken in a slow cooker?
Yes, it is definitely possible to make Hunters Chicken in a slow cooker. Slow cookers are great for cooking chicken dishes as the low and slow cooking method allows the flavors to meld together and the chicken to become tender and juicy.
What ingredients do I need to make Hunters Chicken in a slow cooker?
To make Hunters Chicken in a slow cooker, you will need chicken thighs or breasts, bacon, onion, garlic, tomato passata or canned tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, honey or brown sugar, smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.