The older three Littles are back at school this week. Some years I’m ready for the routine, the familiar rhythm a new school year brings. This year? Not so much. Summer was good to us.
While I might be dragging my heels allowing my heart to linger a bit longer in the mountains, the school bell keeps ringing.
For me, the hardest part about adjusting to our new schedules is getting dinner on the table. It’s a miracle some days corralling all six of us to the table. Thank goodness for my trusty Crock Pot.
If you find yourself in a dinner rut or simply out of time to cook while you adjust to new routines this fall, try one of our favorite slow cooker recipes.
Want another handy Crock Pot tip? On Sunday, slow cook an entire chicken and you’ll have meat ready to use the rest of the week. Having chicken already cooked and waiting in the fridge makes your favorite taco or pasta dishes easier on busy weeknights.
- 1 (4-5 lbs) whole chicken
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, whole
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- ½ tablespoon garlic powder
- ½ tablespoon cayenne pepper
- ½ tablespoon coarse sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- Place the sliced onions and garlic in the slow cooker. In a small bowl, mix the spices together. Wash and pat dry the chicken. Generously rub the spices over the chicken until completely covered. Add the spice rubbed chicken to the onions, cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours.
- When chicken is done, debone the meat and store in a sealable container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. I store the bones in the freezer until I have enough to make homemade chicken stock.
What are your favorite back to school meals?
Love,
No children scurrying under foot and around, but these look really helpful to me too. I will print each and put in my “Schell Cafe Notebook.”
Great ideas. Thank you!
I made the apricot date chicken TODAY! Before I read this! Great moms think alike! I can’t wait to try the others! xoxo
Thanks mama!
Four days ’til school starts – Love the crock pot and GO ideas!
Love, KA
I’m so excited, thanks for sharing. Now I’m sharing this with my followers.