Save Money with the Slow Cooker

Today’s installment of ‘Save Money with the Slow Cooker’ is affectionately called ‘Crockpot Chicken’ around my house.  If you never do anything else with your slow cooker, please at least try making Crockpot Chicken.  It is so easy, and it will save you so much time, money and it will make meal preparation a snap.

Watch for fresh boneless, skinless chicken breasts to go on sale.  It seems like a couple weeks a month Kroger has this type of chicken on sale for $1.79- $1.99 a pound.  Less often, I see it on sale at Meijer for $1.99 a pound.  My crockpot can hold about 4-5 trays of chicken.  Prepare the chicken as normal, then toss it in the crockpot.  I usually pour a large cup of water over the chicken breasts to help keep everything moist and to make more broth. Cook on high for 4 hours.

Cool the chicken after it is cooked through.  The food should then break apart easily.  Shred the chicken then divide into freezer safe containers or bag in meal-sized portions.  If you want, you can divide the broth in each container along with the chicken to help keep it moist when it thaws.  Stack in the freezer. 

Then comes the fun part.  Simply pull out a portion to thaw whenever your recipe calls for pulled or cubed chicken.  I use this meat for soups, bbq sandwiches, tacos, casseroles, stir-fry, and mixing with rice or noodles.  Think of all the time, money and energy you will save by having your chicken precooked and ready to eat.