Our Mediterranean Chicken with Brown Rice Recipe is a slow cooker recipe that’s been one of our go-to recipes for many years! We know you’ll love it just as much as we do. Today’s slow cooker mediterranean chicken recipe has chicken, dry Italian seasoning packets, neufatchel cream cheese then topped with feta cheese, artichoke hearts and greek olives. A simple to make slow cooker chicken dinner the whole family will love!

Why we love Mediterranean Chicken with Brown Rice Recipe

Our Mediterranean Chicken with Brown Rice Recipe is a delightful harmony of flavors along with some really great nutrition. Whole grain pasta also works in a pinch but I just adore the nutty flavor of  brown rice!  If you’ve got picky eaters at your table then feel free to serve the toppings on the side, then added as each person prefers. 

We all love our slow cookers for a variety of reasons–I love that I start it in the morning and forget about it! When it’s time for dinner it’s just a couple of quick steps and dinner is on the table. 

Ingredients in Mediterranean Chicken with Brown Rice Recipe

• Chicken- has a very high protein content, which plays a very important role in sustaining our muscles. Rich in calcium and phosphorous for healthy bones. Stress reliever with tryptophane and vitamin B5. Immunity booster too!
• Brown Rice- can serve as a good source of B vitamins (thiamin, niacin, and riboflavin) and iron. Rice is also an excellent source of manganese and magnesium. Brown rice provides more vitamins than white rice.
• Cream Cheese- Cream cheese is high in fat and contains a small amount of carbs and protein. It’s a good source of vitamin A and contributes some riboflavin (vitamin B2). Whipped cream cheese contains less fat and fewer calories per serving. Cream cheese is high in fat and a good source of vitamin A and riboflavin. Enjoy in moderation. 
• Feta Cheese- Feta is a brined, white cheese with a soft and creamy texture. Compared to other cheeses, it’s low in calories and fat. It also contains a high amount of B vitamins, phosphorus and calcium, which can benefit bone health. Additionally, feta contains beneficial bacteria and fatty acids.
• Artichokes- are low in fat, high in fiber, and loaded with vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, phosphorus, and magnesium. They are also one of the richest sources of antioxidants.
• Kalamata Olives- good source of fibre, calcium, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin K. They also provide some magnesium, phosphorous and potassium per serving as well as B vitamins.

Slow Cooker Tips & Tricks

Let’s just have a little talk about our slow cookers here for a minute. . .

As most of you know I’m a graduate of the Culinary School and one of the classes that’s required is Sanitation and Safety. During this class we had an eye-opening chat about slow cookers and how they can be the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and pathogens.

• If not careful they can be the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and pathogens.
• Preheat your crock pot just like you preheat your oven so plug it in and turn it to the high setting to get it nice and hot from the start for cooking. After all there is only one little probe heating the whole slow cooker! 
• Add everything into the crock pot as warmed up as it can be, to cut down on the getting-the-food-hot portion of cooking, this is where you need to be cautious and make sure it is all hot and up to cooking temperature in 2-3 hours.  
• If food stays between 41 degrees and 135 degrees for 4 hours, then it has to be thrown out because the bacteria and pathogens have had much too much time to grow and a food borne illness is a likely result.
• If you add meat; be sure it is thawed and NEVER added frozen, if it’s beef or pork brown it first.  
• Add liquids hot ie: like use HOT water or warm up any liquids in the microwave first then add them in already hot.
• Spray the ceramic insert with cooking spray to make clean up a snap! It’ll wipe out with no sticking!

Slow Cookers are wonderful things and if we take a couple of quick precautions to keep food safe while using them…they are even better! 🙂

More Slow Cooker Recipes

• Slow Cooker Potato Soup Recipe
• Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
• Coca-Cola BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich Recipe
• Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup
• Crockpot White Chicken Chili Recipe
• Slow Cooker Beef Burgundy
• Italian Chicken Recipe
• Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese
• Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken

Add our Mediterranean Chicken with Brown Rice Recipe to your weekly menu! 

Thanks for being a part of the CWR blog-family!

All the love,

Chef Ruthie

 

Fit Friday with Miss Nichole

We made it through another month and not just any month, January. This winter I am striving to embrace the cold and enjoy the beauty of winter. I have strapped spikes onto my shoes and ventured out on trails. I have layered up and headed out the door with a very excited Joey.

Instead of focusing on what I was missing out on because of the cold and snow I have tried to focus on the fun of new adventures. What new adventures have you sought out this month?