While some people only use their slow-cooker in cold weather, I’m a fan of using it all year long. In fact, sometimes I like it even better on warm, humid days – you still get the benefits of a delicious, home-cooked meal without having to heat up your kitchen by using the oven – WIN!
I stumbled across this particular meal in my Real Simple magazine a couple months ago, but only got around to making it recently. Let me tell you, I am SO glad I finally made it. It was absolutely delicious – tender, juicy chicken, healthy lentils, + hearty potatoes, all in a flavorful, full-of-depth gingery curry sauce. It makes quite a bit of food, but I was happy about that, as the leftovers only got tastier + more complex after a day or two. Served with hot, buttered rice + some toasted naan, it was wonderful. Healthy, hearty, + simple-to-make all at once? You just can’t beat that!
Slow-Cooker Curried Chicken with Lentils + Potatoes
serves 8, adapted from Real Simple magazine
ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds total), trimmed + cut into 1″ pieces
4 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons curry powder
1 teaspoon paprika
2 teaspoons finely minced (or grated) fresh ginger
1 medium onion, chopped
1 1/2 cups red lentils or yellow split peas
1 1/2 pounds russet potatoes (about 2), peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
4 tablespoons fresh lime juicefor serving:
extra lime wedges
plain yogurt
fresh cilantro leaves, torn
naan bread + buttered jasmine ricedirections
Toss the chicken pieces with the garlic, curry, paprika, + ginger in a large bowl. set aside while you proceed to the next step.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat, + add the onions. Cook until onions are starting to turn translucent, about 5 minutes. Transfer the onions to the slow-cooker. In the same skillet, add the seasoned chicken. Cook until the chicken pieces are seared on all sides, about 5-7 minutes total. Transfer the chicken (+ scrape up all those yummy browned bits!) to the slow-cooker.
Add the lentils (or split peas), potatoes, chicken broth, salt + pepper to the slow-cooker, + stir everything to combine. Cover + cook on LOW until the lentils + vegetables are tender + the chicken is cooked through + tender, for 4-6 hours. (Time will vary depending on your slow-cooker.)
Fifteen minutes before serving, transfer the chicken to a medium bowl +, using 2 forks, shred the meat; return it to the slow cooker. (Note: that step is optional – I typically leave the chicken as is, as it’s fall-apart tender by this point. But, if you want it fully shredded, feel free to do this step!) Add the lime juice + stir to combine, add more salt + pepper if needed, then allow to cook for 15 minutes more.
Serve topped with greek yogurt + cilantro, with naan, buttered rice, + lime wedges on the side.
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{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }
I have got to make this! All the flavors I love and I have a lot of lentils I could put to good use. And it’s a plus to let the slow cooker do the work for me!
Leah, that was part of the motivation for me to make this, too – a big bag of lentils that still needed usin’ up. =) So glad it motivated me to finally make this delicious dish!
Loving this recipe, and I’m on an Indian kick right now, so sounds divine! Love the photos from your last post and glad to hear everything is going so well
Yes I am totally for using the slow cooker year round! Doesn’t have to be cold to enjoy coming home to a warm meal!
Amen, Erin! I love a warm meal all year long – even during the hot, hot, hot Tennessee summers. =)
This looks like the perfect Sunday supper dish! I’m always on the lookout for new slow cooker recipes – thanks for sharing!
I’ve totally been craving curry lately! This looks SUPER yummy, girl!
Such a yummy looking, hearty meal! I love my Real Simple and all the recipes I’ve ever tried from it are AMAZING. I bet this one is no exception! Thanks for sharing, Amy.
Georgia, I couldn’t agree more! I’m a RealSimple subscriber + love the magazine – all of the recipes we’ve tried from there have been a huge success!
How delicious Amy, I love making curries in the slow cooker, it’s easy and gives me more free time!
What a wonderful dish, and aren’t you smart to make such good use of your slow cooker. It will enable you to gets lots of cooking done! I hope you are doing well. It sure looks like you are eating well!
I’m doing great, thank you! And I’m sure trying my best to eat well. =)
Amy, I look forward to seeing you tomorrow night. This looks like a real comfort food that a family could enjoy all the time and so yes on the naan.
totally all about year-round use of the slow cooker! Real Simple has great recipes!
Your chicken looks incredibly tender and delicious
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Great minds!!
I know, right?! I love that we both made this AND both posted within a week or so of each other!
Can’t be more comforting that a pot of this delicious curried chicken!
i need to use my slowcooker more often. this sounds too delicious not to make it. In TX its starting to get really hot and I will take anything that prevents me from staying away from the oven.
Yes! It’s starting to get hot in TN, too, which is why I’ve been wanting to use my slow-cooker more. I know a lot of people prefer to use theirs in the fall/winter, but I love using mine in the summer so I don’t have to heat up the kitchen by using the oven!
I use my slow cooker year around! Like you said, in the summer its better than turning on your oven. Love how much flavor is going on in this recipe.
I agree! Use that slow cooker year-round, definitely!! Love the look of this dish!
oh i totally use the crockpot in the summer too for that exact reason! this looks like a great dish
This looks so flavorful and delicious!!
Amy,
My kids love Indian (as do I) and I love the idea of an easy crock pot meal on a busy summer day.
Thanks for this!
Amy this looks so very tasty and healthy! I think using a crock pot on humid days is genius!
The slow-cooker is in use year round for us as well, too many good uses for it to be ignored. 😉
Love the presentation of the curry Amy!
This dish looks wonderful. And I can’t believe I never thought of using my slow cooker when the weather is hot. What a great idea!
I love using the slow cooker all year round. This curry dish looks really delicious! I may add this to my menu this week!
I agree! Slow cookers are GREAT during the summer. Especially since we don’t have AC (and we have a baby on the way!) This looks like such a satisfying meal. Love the curried chicken!
I love the flavors and that I don’t have to slave over a stove!
i was just thinking i think the slow cooker is perfect for summer…able to enjoy the amazing weather outside and not be inside cooking…so i will be an all year slow cooker user….keep the recipes coming
I love crockpot meals year-round, too! Especially pulled pork.
Now you have me craving rice and naan! I’ve never had naan but it look so good… I need to find / make some!
And the main dish sounds great too. 😀