Crock Pot Lemon Roasted Chicken

Are you ready for a simple , quick and  delicious meal? Of course you are.

 I love Chicken.  I love how it's such a blank canvas for literally any kind of spice, rub, sauce, or even if you want to put it on your hand and make it walk across the kitchen table. That could be fun or a little creepy.  I love Chicken Pot Pies, Chicken and Broccoli, Chicken Kabobs, Chicken with pasta, Fried Chicken, Chicken Parmesan, Chicken Fajitas, Chicken Tacos, Chicken and Shrimp, Chicken and Steak, Chicken, Steak and Shrimp.  The possibilities seem so endless, and yet, why do we still hardly ever have the time to cook it?  It's like...so. easy. Oh, and it's healthy. We must try harder you guys!

This meal was a delight to make because I literally did not do anything.  This is why crock pot meals are so grand. I just gave this little dude a massage, then sprinkled it with love and various spices, and stuffed it with two onions and cooked that baby to golden perfection.  That was it. I kid you not. I cooked it on high for almost 6 hours. It was perfect. So, so, so, tender and juicy. I have this weird phobia I guess you could call it, or I am just plain crazy, but when it comes to keeping the crock pot on ALL day while NO ONE is home....eek!  Am I nuts?  Isn't that the point of a slow cooker?  Hmm, well, I have one good reason. My husband and I both work a good 10-11 hour days.  I personally feel that's just way too long of a time span to have something cook away without an eye on it from time to time. If I got home around 4pm, then that would be much better!  Maybe one day. But hey, unless Sammy can sit next to it all day while chewing away at his foot and keeping an eye on it here and there;  I doubt he has time for that though in his hectic schedule of sleeping and eating.

So for now, I utilize the crock pot mainly on weekends.  And that's quite okay.  Please promise me you'll make this chicken this weekend. Pretty please? 

Crock Pot Lemon Roasted Chicken
 {from my very own crock pot recipe booklet}

Ingredients

3 to 4 lb. chicken

1/2 cup onion, chopped

 2 tbs. butter or margarine

 juice of 1 lemon

1 tbs. fresh or dried parsley

 1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. black pepper

2 T. minced garlic (I personally added this in.  What's better than garlic, onions, lemon, butter and of course, chicken?!)   Right??

1/4 tsp. Thyme

1/4 tsp. paprika

Directions

Rinse the chicken well and pat dry; remove any excess fat.  Place the onion in cavity of chicken and rub the skin with butter. Place the chicken in the Crock Pot. Squeeze lemon juice over the chicken and sprinkle with remaining seasonings. Cover and cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours.  

Don't be a chicken...make this.

 Want a yummy and simple side dish with this?  Perhaps some...mashers? I knew that's what you were thinking.  What a comforting treat! Especially during the Winter.  I have to confess something to you.  Last night was my first time ever making mashed potatoes from scratch. I know....I can picture your jaw dropping as I write this .  I don't know what to say, really.  I was for some reason always intimated by these guys. I felt so silly after last night. The fact that you have to wash and peel them....will they be too runny? Too lumpy?  Ughhh...those thoughts still frighten me. Until now. They turned out perfect!  Seriously. I couldn't believe how tasty they were and how easy it was to make homemade mashed potatoes.  I feel like I can conquer anything now after making them!

Simple & Creamy Mashed Potatoes

{adapted from the The Kitchen Aid Cookbook}

Ingredients

• 5 large potatoes (about 2-1/2 lbs), peeled, quartered, and boiled (I used Russets)
• 1/2 cup low fat milk - heated (I didn't heat the milk--seems like that didn't harm these creamy spuds).
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

 **Even though this was my first time with these mashers, I would imagine you want some kind of lump in there...I'm not a fan of the one texture, runny side dish**

***Do not peel the potatoes if you like the skin. That kind of skin is very healthy for you, fyi.***

Directions

• Warm mixer bowl and flat beater with hot water; dry. Place hot potatoes in bowl. Attach bowl and flat beater to mixer. Gradually turn to Speed 2 and mix about 1 minute, or until smooth.

• Add all remaining ingredients. Turn to Speed 4 and beat about 30 seconds, or until milk is absorbed. Gradually turn to Speed 6 and beat about 1 minute, or until fluffy. Stop and scrape bowl. Exchange flat beater for wire whip. Turn to Speed 10 and whip 2 to 3 minutes.  {you can totally use your old trusty hand blender machine; that will work just as well.

I can't wait to get crackin' on this baby on the train ride to work tomorrow!