Chicken in a CrockPot and Stock

If we're going to save time and money, there is no better place to start than Chicken in a Crock Pot.  This is soooooo easy, and yummy, and you end up with more than one meal!!  First you should stock up on whole chickens when they are on sale at your favorite grocery store.  I got six when they were on sale for 69 cents per pound and threw them in the freezer.

Get out your crock pot, and spray it with non-stick spray. 

Throw the chicken in without any water....if you can, get that bag of giblets out and pitch it.  If your chicken is frozen solid, it might just have to stay in.

Season the chicken any way you like.  I use garlic salt and that's it!

Cover and cook on low about 7 hours.

This works for a chicken from 3.5-7 lbs.  If your chicken is on the smaller side, cook for maybe only 5-6 hours.

HERE'S THE FUN PART! Remove the chicken, but DO NOT throw away the drippings.  Debone the chicken and throw the skin and bones back in the crock pot with the juices.  So there is your chicken to eat plain or use in a recipe, etc. but now you will make your own.....

CHICKEN STOCK!  Add 5-7 cups of water to the bones and juices in the crock pot.  I also add an onion, some celery and carrot for added flavor and nutrients.  This is perfect especially when you have those vegetables that are a little limp and you might think of throwing them out.  Now turn the crock pot back on and leave it on low all night.  In the morning, strain the liquid and throw away all the solid parts.  Place the liquid in freezer containers if you plan on freezing it, but first let it stand for awhile and you'll be able to skim off any fat before freezing.

No time in the morning?  Or if your house is set up like mine, the kitchen is close to the bedroom and that cooking all night keeps waking me up.  Instead of starting your stock over night, remove the crock pot liner and put it in the frig.  When you get up in the morning, put the liner back in the crock pot and let it go all day while you are at work or busy doing other things.  Do the straining that evening.

This is one of my favorites....and next time I'll give you a recipe in which you can use some of that chicken.

Until next time......."The Earth is filled with Your love oh Lord." Psalm 119:64 NIV

Franny