NomEatNom - Chicken and Pumpkin Stew à la Crockpot

I know many think of winter as crockpot season…but for me, any time is a good time for a Crockpot!

Especially if you are insanely busy!

Which I am.

All the time.

Sigh.

However, this past week has been exceptionally busy. Granted, most of it was a good busy — the beginning of spring Holy Day season filled with lots of fellowship and spiritual renewal.

But, even a good kind of busy can equal almost zero time for cooking!

And this make for a very unhappy experimental chef. 🙁

Or at least it would. If it weren’t for the kitchen invention adored by countless fans around the world: the Crockpot (aka, slow cooker).

In fact, thanks to my Crockpot of goodness, I was able to create two nommy recipes this week without breaking a sweat or losing loads of time on the clock. (That’s right…that means you have another delicious Crockpot recipe soon to come!)

How did I celebrate my success? With heaping spoonfuls of this satisfying stew, but of course!

Chicken and Pumpkin Stew à la Crockpot
(Serves 6 to 8)

Ingredients:

4 T extra virgin coconut oil (or extra virgin olive oil)
2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breast
2 cloves fresh garlic, finely diced
1 large red onion, coarsely chopped
8 to 10 plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped
2 jalapenos, diced (or a few T jarred)
2 15 oz. cans pure pumpkin
2 cups chicken stock
3 T chili powder
1 to 2 T unsweetened cocoa powder
2 T pumpkin pie spice
1 T cinnamon
1 tsp cumin
Sea salt, according to taste
Pinch of crushed red pepper
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro (and a little extra as a garnish)
1 head broccoli

Combine all of the ingredients, except for the broccoli, in your Crockpot. Set the Crockpot on low for 7 to 8 hours.

Go about your business. This is the beauty that is the Crockpot.

Add the broccoli to the pot about 30 minutes before the cooking time is over. When the broccoli as reached your desired level of tenderness, use two forks to shred the chicken breasts (it should fall apart easily).

Dish this nommy goodness into bowls and sprinkle each serving with an extra bit of fresh cilantro.

Enjoy! 🙂

What’s your favorite Crockpot creation??