Pumpkin Chicken Spaghetti (Slow Cooker)


School has started and fall has arrived (did I mention that we might actually drop into the 30's tonight?) This combination means one thing.  I'm officially pulling out the Slow Cooker. The after school activity shuttle leaves no time for doing any actual cooking during the dinner hour. This is why I love my slow cooker. My husband bought me an All-Clad stainless steel beauty a few years back. Ahhh… flutter my heart. He loves me. Yes, while some girls call diamonds their best friends, it appears that I can be won over by small kitchen appliances. He knows me.


I make this family favorite spaghetti recipe at least once a month during the school year. It's about time I shared it! It's perfect for hectic days and its ease of preparation will keep you from the Taco Bell Drive-Thru!

Simply start with 3 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs.  You can use chicken breast if you want, but the thighs stay moist through the slow cooking process.  Once you try them, you won't go back.  Top the chicken with 2 - 24 ounce jars of your favorite pasta sauce.


Next, dump in a 15-ounce can of pumpkin.  I know, it sounds strange, but it helps thicken the sauce when the chicken lets go of its juices and, as a bonus, your kids are now eating a whole lot of Vitamin A!


Add some brown sugar, balsamic vinegar and oregano.  That's it.  Put the top on and walk away.


When you return from Yoga, Target, the bus stop, piano lessons, football and tennis, shred the chicken in the sauce.
Boil some noodles and you are good to go.


This sauce is deliciously thick, well rounded and loaded with lean protein. 
Perfect for a weeknight family dinner!


Pumpkin Chicken Spaghetti
by Rachel @ Simple Girl


Ingredients:

3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 - 24 ounce jars of spaghetti sauce
1 - 15 ounce can pumpkin puree
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon balsamic glaze (or vinegar)
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Combine ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low for 8 - 10 hours or on high for 4-6 hours.  Shred chicken in the sauce. Adjust seasonings, if necessary, and serve over pasta.



THIS POST MAY BE LINKED TO: MONDAYS:  MADE BY YOU MONDAY, FLOUR ME WITH LOVE, TUESDAYS: TRICK OR TREAT TUESDAY ,  MANDY'S RECIPE BOX  WEDNESDAYS: WORKS FOR ME WEDNESDAY, GINGER SNAP CRAFTS, THE DIY DREAMER  THURSDAYS: FULL PLATE THURSDAYS, LAMBERTS LATELY,FRIDAYS: I’M LOVING IT, FOODIE FRIDAY, TATERTOTS AND JELLO, FRIDAY FAVORITES, BACON TIME ,WEEKEND RETREAT, PINWORTHY PROJECTS SATURDAYS:SWEETS FOR A SATURDAY SIX SISTERS STUFF, SUNDAYS: NIFTY THRIFTY THINGS

Comments

rebecca @ beurrista said…
I just braised some chicken last week and wondered why I didn't do this type of cooking more often- love this recipe and will be trying it this week! So curious to see how the pumpkin works out.
September 14, 2014 at 2:28 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Butter Bean Soup

Image
Happy New Year!  We are off to a cold start! It's so cold that the Governor cancelled school for the entire state! That never happens. Up here in Minnesota, when it gets cold, we just pull up our snow pants and pull down our hats.  In the South, they say it's not the heat, it's the humidity.  Up North, we say it's not the cold, it's the wind.  Windchill temperatures (what it actually feels like), are said to be -40 to -50 degrees Fahrenheit. That's the coldest it's been since 1996 - just shortly before we moved to Atlanta.  Hmmmm…… it's all coming back to me now.  Nevertheless, my 16-year old says it's a great way to start second semester! When it's cold outside, there is nothing I love more than making soup. Soup is the perfect excuse to stand over a hot stove on a cold day. You can hold soup in a coffee mug and let it warm your hands. You can sip soup in the same mug and let it warm you from the inside out. There's a reason for
Read more

Dr. Seuss Snacks!

Image
One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish.  I admit it.  I love Dr. Seuss!  A collection of these sing-song-y rhymes was the first thing I put on the bookshelves of our very first baby nursery.  Four kids later, I now have talents that include being able to recite The Cat In The Hat from memory! In honor of the late great Dr. Seuss (He would have been 107 on March 2nd) we are making these cute snacks!  Absolutely no skill or talent required! Simply start with a box of blue Jell-O..... and divide into four clear plastic cups. (The fish have to have a place to swim!) After the Jell-O has set, have the kids add their own fish!  (Swedish Fish, that is!) Ella's kindergarten class gets a Dr. Seuss party after they have collectively read 107 books! Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!
Read more

Candy Cornucopia

Image
I wasn't sure if I should call these "Candy Corn"ucopia or "Waffle Cone"ucopia.   Either way, I thought they would make a cute Thanksgiving take home treat for the kids in 1st grade.   OK, forget the kids!  What grown-up wouldn't love a cone of treats sitting at their table? To make, simply buy some waffle cones and dip the edges in melted chocolate.  I added "Gold Sugar" to the edges to make them prettier!  Fill with Caramelized Crispy Snack Mix . Add candy corn and candy pumpkins. If you use them as a take home item, simply insert the waffle cones into cone-shaped cellophane bags. Tie with raffia. Don't forget to Give Thanks this Thanksgiving! THIS POST MAY BE LINKED TO:  MONDAYS :  MOUTHWATERING MONDAYS ,  MADE BY YOU MONDAY , MINGLE MONDAY  ,  HOME SAVVY A TO Z ,  TUESDAYS :  TALENT SHOW TUESDAYS ,  MUSHKI LOVES MY STUFF   TUESDAYS AND THE TABLE,   TEMPT MY TUMMY TUESDAY , TWO MAIDS A BAKING ,  
Read more