I need some super easy, toss it in the crockpot and forget it for 8 hours, kind of dishes! I and my family are all sick of the 2 or 3 I have in our weekly rotation, but my son has swim practice three nights a week. That means I work all day and then am out of the house for those nights from 5:30-8:30. So I always have at least one crockpot meal each week that I can toss in the pot in the morning, and then we can all just grab a plate when we can in the evening.

Suggestions for what's worked with your busy families?

Frozen chicken with a good salsa makes only 4 hours. Tacos, tostadas, chicken and rice, lots of options

This is one in my current rotation! It's a winner - just looking for some variety. (Also have a timer on my crockpot!)

Salsa chicken!
A pound or so of chicken breast (I usually do 2 or 3 and freeze leftovers for later)
Jar of your favorite salsa
Packet of taco or fajita seasoning mixed in if you feel fancy

Low, up to 8 hours

Shred chicken, mix back into sauce and throw on rice with whatever toppings you have on hand or into taco shells with toppings.

Easy, healthy, no real work involved.

This is a go to recipe for me: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019693-slow-cooker-chipotle-honey-chicken-tacos?unlocked\_article\_code=1.\_VA.wHFn.8lpfrSs\_e75p&smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share

But the first time I made it, I didn’t read the instructions and added the beans at the start with everything else… they broke down and made it more of a black bean and chicken stew, but it was delicious. We eat it on rice with cheese, sour cream and avocado.

Cheesy quinoa with mushrooms and red pepper - I’ve done it multiple times over the years and it never disappoints

https://www.lecremedelacrumb.com/slow-cooker-cheesy-mushroom-quinoa/

This is my go to. Sub in 2 cups Chicken stock if you dont have a light beer.

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/70343/slow-cooker-chicken-taco-soup/

We eat like a chili w chips, sour cream, mexican cheese.

Garlic Parm Chicken Pasta

\- chicken thighs or breast, frozen or thawed
\- 1 bottle of Sweet Baby Ray’s garlic parm seasoning
\- Noodz of choice
\- parm, parsley, seasonings to taste

You can cook the chicken for 4-6 hours with the sauce, mix in noodles and seasonings, and you’re done!

Put in a pound of chicken tenderloins and half bottle of teriyaki sauce, low for 6 hours, shred it and add it to instant ramen noodles

From The NYT. Adjust the spice level accordingly, same for serving size/quantity. Ideally you will want the tomatoes to burst open, it mixes with everything and makes a really nice broth that gets into the chicken. Enjoy!

# Ingredients

Yield: 4-5 servings

1½ to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, patted dry

Salt

1½ pounds cherry tomatoes

1 (3-inch) piece of ginger, halved lengthwise and smashed with a knife

1 to 3 tablespoons gochujang, depending on heat preference

2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, plus more as needed

1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

1 tablespoon honey, plus more as needed

In a 6- to 8-quart slow-cooker, lightly sprinkle the chicken all over with salt. Stir in the cherry tomatoes, ginger, gochujang, soy sauce, sesame oil and honey until coated. Cover and cook on low until the chicken is very tender and most of the tomatoes have burst, 5 to 6 hours. Taste the broth and season accordingly with more honey (if too tart, salty or spicy) and soy sauce (if too sweet or muted).

Green Chile ( with chicken, beef, or pork) tacos. Let it cook all day, and then just crisp up some tortillas and cheat with a Spanish rice mix when you get home.

Not a crock pot, but Aaron and Claire's one pot gochujang chicken and rice is amazing.

Since Claire has had a baby, Aaron has been focusing on a lot of quick, easy, healthy foods.

This is going on next week's list! Thanks!!

Ha! This is the one I make every other week - it's the ONLY crockpot meal my 15-year-old son doesn't complain about 😂