Chicken Casserole : Slow cooker recipe

I know many regular readers have slow cookers, with favourite recipes they enjoy. I happened upon this recipe idea, and thought it worth sharing. Chicken cooked in a rich tomato sauce with sweet paprika and smoky chorizo, this easy slow cooker chicken casserole recipe is cooked with butter beans, celery and tomatoes ...

Here is what you need to feed four:

600g (1lb 3oz) skinless, boneless chicken thigh fillets
2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp. smoked sweet paprika
1 x 225g pack Spanish chorizo ring, sliced into rounds
2 red onions, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tbsp. plain flour
pinch saffron (optional)
2 chicken stock cubes, made up to 600ml (1pt)
70g (3oz) tomato purée
250g (8oz) baby plum tomatoes
3 celery sticks, cut into 3cm (1in) pieces
2 x 400g tins butterbeans, rinsed and drained
large handful flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped

Here is what you do:
1. Set your slow cooker to medium. Coat the chicken in 1 tbsp. olive oil and paprika. Season with salt and pepper and then set aside.
2. Heat the remaining oil in a large frying pan on a medium-high heat and add the chorizo, cook for 3-4 minutes. Turn the heat down to medium, add the onions and cook for a further 3-4 minutes or until soft. Add the garlic and flour, cook for 1 minute, then remove from the pan and set aside.
3. Put the saffron (if using) in a small glass and pour over 2 tbsp. boiling water to infuse.
4. Heat the same frying pan used to cook the chorizo and onions on a medium-high heat. Add the chicken to the pan and brown on each side for 1 minute or until golden.
5. Add the chicken, chorizo and onions to the slow cooker. Pour over the stock and tomato puree. Add the baby plum tomatoes, celery and saffron-infused water (if using). Stir well to combine, cover with the lid and cook for 2.5-3 hours or until the chicken is very tender.
6. Add the butter beans, cover and cook for 15 minutes. Divide the casserole into bowls and top with chopped parsley.

Serving suggestions? Well I think it looks perfect, but some may like a slice of low carb seedy bread
Original chicken recipe can be seen here

Did you know that butter beans are high in vitamin C, vitamin A, and thiamine, they are also a good source of protein.

A variety of recipe ideas are within this blog. Please note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan