Chicken Slow Cooker with Yams, Lemons and Capers

Background: I made this recipe up today – and its easy and yummy too.

Preparation: 30 minutes prep time and 3-5 hours cooking time

Ingredients:

Olive oil – 2 Tbsp

Chicken – organic only; skinless, boneless breasts and thighs cut into bite sized pieces – about 4 lbs for 8 -10 people

Four Yukon Gold Potatoes

One large yam

One Large Red Onion

Six Tbsp of capers ( fresh or bottled)

Four Large Tomatoes cut into pieces

Two limes

One Lemon

2 cups of cooking wine ( red or white)

I tsp of dried or fresh tarragon

Salt and Pepper to taste ( I use a lemon pepper/salt blend – NO MSG!)

Directions:
 1. Heat the olive oil in a pan, and fry the chicken pieces until browned on all sides. When placing the pieces in the pan, do not let them touch – they will brown better that way – and yes, you will need to do a bunch of batches – and the oil splashes onto the stove top which is the only downside in this dish – but it is worth it!

2. In the meantime, peel and slice medium/thin four yukon gold potatoes, and one large yam. Place them on the bottom of your slow cooker and sprinkle your favorite salt and pepper over the top

3. Place the browned ( light browning) chicken pieces over the potatoes in the slow cooker.

4 Fry the onions in the pan where you browned the chicken pieces and saute until soft then add the cut tomatoes, capers, cooking wine and tarragon.Squeeze the lime juice into the mixture ( discard the rinds and skins).

5. Bring to a boil and pour it over the chicken potato mixture in the slow cooker.

6. Slice the lemon into thick slices and halve each slice – then place the pieces into the chicken mixture.

7. Be sure that the potatoes are well covered – if needed you could add some chicken stock if it looks dry – but remember that the tomatoes will release liquid so the liquid level may rise a bit in the slow cooker.

8. Cook on HIGH for 3 hours if you need it sooner – or on high for one hour and then on LOW for 4-5 hours.

9. Some folks like to serve rice in addition to the potatoes – I think the potatoes are enough – but it is rather nice to have rice to mop up all that lovely gravy. A green salad is a wonderful accomplishment to this ( Spinach and Mixed Greens plus a light vinaigrette mustard dressing).

This is Sam, The Broken Robot – he loves to cook with our grandchildren – whatever we do around the house – especially if it includes chores – Sam is always ‘there’ ( I pretend to be him with a robotty sounding voice and this way can get the kids to do just about any chore with excitement and squeals of laughter).