Green Chili Chicken Stew (Crock Pot)

Hello!

Oh how I love the magnificent crock pot, coming home to nice meal with minimum effort….sign me up!  I will admit I am not a big fan of using it in the SUMMER months, only because the meals tend to be on the heartier side…more fitting for FALL however, we had a bumper crop of Hatch Mexican chili peppers so far this Summer, so the occasion called.

Ingredients:

5 boneless/skinless chicken breasts

1 large sweet onion – diced

5 cloves of garlic – chopped

3 dried bay leaves

3 Tablespoons of finely chopped fresh oregano

2 Tablespoons of dried oregano

2 can of diced green chili – small can

5 large fresh Hatch chili peppers or Anaheim peppers – diced into bite size pieces

Salt and Pepper – you can adjust seasoning at the end when cooked

2.5 - 3 cups of water - just enough to cover chicken

Cornstarch or flour for thickening

******I added cooked quinoa, sliced black olives and finely chopped cilantro at the end to make it a complete meal.  Topped with fresh avocado!

How to:

In your crock pot, add all ingredients above and cook on low for 8 hours.  Remove chicken breast and shred.  Add shredded chicken along with the veggies (cooked chili and onion) as well as some of the liquid to a sauce pan and simmer on the stove until it starts to lightly boil.  In a cup, mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch or flour along with water to make a roux.  Pour roux into stew and allow to thicken a bit.  Add cooked quinoa, sliced black olives & chopped cilantro.  Adjust season with salt and pepper!  

I have taken pictures to describe the process…Trust me, it sounds more complicated than it is!  This meal is amazing and worth it!  Leftovers freeze really well.   

You can also make burritos, tacos or nachos using this chili. Just have fun and get creative!

Everything in crock pot.

Shredding Chicken - after 8 hours of cooking, it falls apart.

Shredded chicken along with veggies & juice-ready for a slow boil.

Mixing roux (use flour or cornstarch)

Roux added and starting to thicken.

Finished Product w/ black olives and chopped cilantro

Hatch Chili Peppers! 

Enjoy!