Tag Archives: crock pot

Recipes

RECIPE: Healthy Slow-Cooking Chicken, Butternut Squash, Kale and Apple Stew

1 Comment

Ok, as Autumn is in full-swing and the days and nights are colder, I’ve had slow-cooking and stews on my mind; and the stew I made last night is one of the tastiest, warmest, and most-comforting I’ve made to-date.

Warming autumn stew at it

The recipe started as one I’d read off the BBC Food website, but very clearly turned into one of my own creations (that I know of!)…So, if you’re up for an autumnal warmer using the healthiest of seasonal ingredients then this is your dish.

Ingredients:

  • 100g/3½oz plain flour

  • 4 tbsp sunflower oil

  • 500g/1lb 2oz chicken thighs (I used thighs on the bone and de-boned at the end- meat just falls off the bone)

  • 1 onion, chopped

  • 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped

  • sprinkle of mild chill powder

  • 175ml/6fl oz dry white wine

  • ½ butternut squash, peeled, chopped into 2.5cm/1in pieces

  • 2 small apples (I used gala and chopped with the peel on)

  • 300ml/10fl oz chicken stock

  • 5 sprigs fresh thyme

  • 3 bay leaves

  • handful of organic curly kale

  • 4 tbsp crème fraîche

  • salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • small handful chopped fresh parsley

Directions:

  • Sprinkle flour onto a plate

  • Toss chicken onto plate and cover with flour

  • Heat 1/2 the oil in a pan and fry chicken for 4-5 minutes or until suitable browned

  • Tip the browned chicken into the slow cooker

  •  Heat remaining oil in the pan and fry the onions and garlic for another 4-5 minutes.

  • Add the chill powder and the white wine and continue to simmer to reduce liquid by half.

  • Add the butternut squash cubes, chicken stock, sprigs of thyme, and bay leaves

  • Set the slow cooker to low setting and cook for 6-8 hours

  • At the 5-hour mark (roughly), add the chopped apples and kale

  • Finally, about 15 minutes before serving, add the creme fraiche, chopped parsley, and season with salt and pepper to taste

I served it with a garlic mash and it was amazing. I also had the leftover for my lunch today and it was even tastier. Try it for an easy warm-up this weekend!

Don’t forget to check out our website for more of what’s on in Hertfordshire: http://local.mumsnet.com/hertfordshire