balsamic chicken Archives - Sugar-Free Mom

Keto Low Carb Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken Thighs

Brenda Bennett — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 11:41:41 +0000

Low Carb Keto Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken Thighs are a perfect meal for a busy weeknight. You can make this in your slow cooker, Instant pot or you can bake them! Just 4 carbs per serving!

LOW CARB BALSAMIC CHICKEN

This amazing slow cooker balsamic chicken recipe has been a popular post since it was first published in 2012! It is simple enough for any weeknight meal and delicious enough for company.

With a few ingredients and 2-4 hours in your slow cooker, you have the most tender, mouthwatering, flavorful, chicken the whole family will love!

Pair it with any side dishes you like. The slow cooker does all the work and you will have an amazing dinner waiting for you when you get home from a long day.

HOW TO MAKE BALSAMIC CHICKEN

Ingredients

You will need some dry spices like garlic powder, dried basil or you could also use dried parsley, sea salt, black pepper, dried minced onion. You will also need minced garlic, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar and of course skinless, boneless chicken thighs.

Directions

Combine the first five dry spices in a small bowl and spread over chicken on both sides. Set aside.

Place the olive oil minced garlic and half of the balsamic vinegar into the slow cooker.

Lay your chicken thighs in the slow cooker, they can overlap.

Cover and cook on high 2-3 hours if you have a newer slow cooker and 3-4 if you have an older slow cooker.

HOW TO SERVE BALSAMIC CHICKEN THIGHS

I’ve got a bunch of delicious low-carb side dishes to serve this with;

But of course if you don’t feel like making anything too involved, a simple cauliflower rice is always good as is a mashed cauliflower.

Palmini rice is a new favorite of ours and we do still enjoy Shirataki rice too!

BONELESS VERSUS BONE-IN THIGHS

Using boneless chicken thighs is best for perfectly tender and juicy slow cooked chicken, but of course you could always use chicken breast if you’re not a fan of dark meat. You could even try this recipe using pork tenderloin if you like.

Bone-in thighs will also work just fine, you may need to cook them a bit longer, possibly an hour more. Make sure to use an internal thermometer and insert near the bone. You want a reading of 165 degrees F.

My entire family loved this chicken and each child asked for seconds of it which rarely ever happens! Don’t be worried about the balsamic flavor, it is subtle and not strong at all. The kids will only notice how moist and tasty the chicken is, I promise!

TOOLS TO MAKE BALSAMIC CHICKEN

Slow Cooker-I love using my crock pot weekly for that wonderful smell when you come home knowing you’ve got dinner ready to go for the family!

or Instant Pot– As much as I love using my crock pot, having an Instant Pot does save time when you need to get dinner ready in under an hour.

HOW TO BAKE BALSAMIC CHICKEN THIGHS

If you’d rather not use the slow cooker or instant pot. Simply follow the directions for seasoning your chicken.

Instead of placing the oil, garlic and balsamic into the slow cooker, add it to a bowl and toss and coat the chicken thighs. Place in the fridge for at least an hour or overnight is even better.

When you are ready to bake, place parchment paper on a large baking sheet pan and preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.

Lay thighs evenly on pan without overlapping. Bake for 25- 30 minutes or until internal temperature is 165 degrees F.

CAN I SWAP CHICKEN THIGHS FOR BREASTS?

Check this Post if you prefer using chicken breasts for this recipe instead. This recipe has also been adapted to use with beef!

Check out my newest recipe, Crock Pot Balsamic Roast Beef!

Other crock pot recipes you might like:

Crock Pot Balsamic Chicken Breasts
Crock Pot Balsamic Pork Tenderloin
Crock Pot Beef Burgundy
Crock Pot Shredded Mexican Style Chicken
Crock Pot Sugar Free BBQ Pulled Chicken

KETO SLOW COOKER BALSAMIC CHICKEN THIGHS

Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken Thighs

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 4

Total Time 4 5

Servings

Calories 285kcal

Author Brenda Bennett | Sugar Free Mom

Ingredients

1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons dehydrated onion
4 garlic cloves minced
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar divided
8 chicken thighs boneless, skinless (about 24 ounces)
sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley

Instructions

Slow Cooker Instructions

Combine the first five dry spices in a small bowl and spread over chicken on both sides.
Set aside.
Pour olive oil and garlic on the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour in 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar.
Place chicken on top.
Sprinkle remaining balsamic vinegar over the chicken.
Cover and cook on low for 3 hours if using boneless, if using bone in thighs, high for 2-3 hours. If you have an older slow cooker you may need to cook another hour.
Sprinkle with fresh parsley on top to serve.

Instant Pot Instructions

Combine the first five dry spices in a small bowl and spread over chicken on both sides. Set aside.
Pour the olive oil and garlic on the bottom of the instant pot. Add all the chicken thighs to the pot. Pour the balsamic over the chicken.
Cover the lid of the Instant pot and make sure it is set to "sealing".
Press the "poultry" button and set timer for 12 minutes. Once it beeps, use a long wooden spoon to prevent steam burning your finger, switch to "venting" and the Instant Pot will quick release.

Notes

This recipe was one of my first published on my blog in November of 2012! I finally updated the pictures in 2018 and updated with video in February 2020.

Nutrition

The post Keto Low Carb Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken Thighs appeared first on Sugar-Free Mom.

Keto Slow Cooker Balsamic Caprese Stuffed Chicken Thighs

Brenda Bennett — Mon, 05 Oct 2020 11:30:00 +0000

This easy slow cooker recipe for Balsamic Caprese Stuffed Chicken Thighs is out of this world delicious! It’s also keto, low carb, gluten free and grain free! Quick Skillet directions also provided!

Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken

I don’t know what it is about juicy chicken thighs, but I have an insane love affair with them. I want the meat falling apart and the slow cooker is always the way I can make this happen. If you’re new around here you may not know about my crazy viral recipe for Crock Pot Balsamic Chicken Thighs. One of the best around and with rave reviews. I decided to take that recipe and step it up a notch by stuffing those thighs!

Slow Cooker or Skillet Recipe

I did ask on Facebook whether more of you were interested in a Crock pot recipe or a quick skillet recipe. It was quite the tie but in the end more of you selected the Crock pot version, BUT i have great news, I’ve tried the Quick Skillet Approach with these and it’s just as good! So below you will find, directions for both methods! In my hubby’s opinion they taste the same with either cooking method. I’ve also got a balsamic chicken breast recipe and a balsamic pork tenderloin, if you prefer!

Italian Caprese

Caprese is just my favorite ingredients to use always! Fresh tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, it’s just always good! But here in this recipe the fresh tomatoes would have resulted in a watery center, which is not ideal for stuffing. Sun dried tomatoes work perfectly since they are not watery like fresh and you just need a small amount to get that familiar tomato taste.

While the slow cooker doesn’t get you as crisp an outside as using the skillet, because of thighs sitting in that balsamic vinegar in the slow cooker, the bottom makes for the best crispy edges. So whether you use quick skillet or slow cooker, either option is tasty! Don’t like chicken thighs? No problem, try it with chicken breasts!

Low Carb Keto Meal Plans

Our membership is simple. You can subscribe for a month to try it out or you can subscribe for a yearly membership. Each Friday you will get a meal plan that comes to your email. You’ll have that early in order to go food shopping before the meal plan begins on Sunday. You will be able to view and print the meal plan and the shopping list. If you don’t like a meal, simply delete it and swap it with another meal you like. The shopping list will automatically adjust. It’s the best software available out there for a customizable menu plan. Not many other low carb or keto meal plans allow you the option to remove, add, start with a blank menu and create your own if you so wish. Learn More about our meal plans!

No time to make this in the morning? No problem! Here’s how to make this as a Quick Skillet under 30 minute meal on any weeknight!

QUICK SKILLET COOKING METHOD

Prepare thighs as recipe indicates.
Heat garlic cloves and oil in a skillet over medium high heat.
Cook thighs on each side for about 3-5 minutes to brown them.
Cover and lower temperature to medium low, continue to cook 15-20 minutes.
Top with fresh parsley and enjoy!

Keto Slow Cooker Caprese Chicken Thighs

Crock Pot Balsamic Caprese Stuffed Chicken Thighs

Adapted from my Crock Pot Balsamic Chicken Thighs

Course Entree

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 3

Total Time 3 20

Servings

Calories 287kcal

Author Brenda Bennett | Sugar-Free Mom

Ingredients

2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs about 6 thighs
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried Italian seasonings
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 tsp dehydrated minced onion
2 tsp fresh minced garlic cloves
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 cup fresh basil leaves
4 ounces fresh mozzarella sliced
3 tbsp sun dried tomatoes
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar

Instructions

Pound out chicken thighs between two pieces of parchment paper.
Whisk together garlic powder, Italian seasonings, salt, pepper and minced dried onion.
Rub both sides of chicken thighs with seasoning. Set aside.
Place garlic cloves and oil in the bottom of the crock pot and spread around all over.
Divide the basil leaves and place 4-5 in the middle of each thigh.
Top with 1/2 tbsp of sun dried tomatoes for each thigh.
Place a slice of mozzarella over each thigh and roll up. Secure with toothpick.
Place thighs into slow cooker.
Pour balsamic vinegar over thighs.
Cover and cook on high 3 hours or low 6 hours.
Remove toothpicks before serving.

Notes

Net Carbs: 6g

This recipe was first published in Sept.2016 and updated with video in Oct.2020.

Nutrition

The post Keto Slow Cooker Balsamic Caprese Stuffed Chicken Thighs appeared first on Sugar-Free Mom.

Crock Pot Balsamic Chicken Breasts

Brenda Bennett — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 12:32:06 +0000

This recipe is a simple adaption from my Crock Pot Balsamic Chicken Thighs. I had many requests to try it with breasts instead. Those who had tried it were disappointed that it wasn’t moist enough but they commented the flavor was fantastic.:)

A few increases in seasoning and balsamic and it’s a match made in heaven. I Hate dry meat, especially dry chicken breasts and so does my family. So now everyone is happy, those who like dark meat or white can still enjoy this tasty recipe!

Crock Pot Balsamic Chicken Breasts

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 3

Total Time 3 10

Servings

Calories 216kcal

Author Brenda Bennett |Sugar-Free Mom

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves minced
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
3 teaspoons minced dried onion
4 chicken breasts 12 ounces each, sliced in half lengthwise
3/4 cup balsamic vinegar

Instructions

Add the oil and garlic to the bottom of the crock pot or slow cooker.
Mix dry seasonings together in a small bowl.
Sprinkle seasoning mixture over both sides of each piece of chicken and lay breasts into crock pot.
Pour balsamic vinegar over the breasts.
Cover and cook on low 3-3.5 hours or until chicken is no longer pick at its thickest place when sliced.

Notes

Weight Watchers PointsPlus: 5*

Nutrition

The post Crock Pot Balsamic Chicken Breasts appeared first on Sugar-Free Mom.