Crock Pot Chicken & Chickpea Clean Green Stew

Hearty, Healthy, Green and CLEAN!!!

A lot of my AdvoCare friends have either just finished or are getting ready to start their 24-Day Challenges so I wanted to get another yummy (and easy!) clean Crock Pot recipe out there. I’m starting my second 10-Day Cleanse on February 3^rd so I’ve spent a lot of time this week planning out some really healthy meals that are so tasty that it’s hard to believe they are actually good for you. Which brings me to today’s steamy bowlful of deliciousness.

There is simply nothing better than a hot and hearty soup or stew when it’s cold outside. It actually rained here yesterday, so having food that warms you from the inside out was an extra bonus. (Yes, I realize that in Southern California what we call “rain” equates to “a light sprinkle” pretty much everywhere else in the country, but hey, it’s all relative, right?)

My friend Whittney sent me a picture of the white chicken chili she was making for dinner the other night and that got my wheels spinning. I went to the cupboard and fridge, pulled out everything I had that was green, and came up with this recipe. I usually make these types of dishes with black, kidney, white, or pinto beans, but I had several cans of chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans) on hand, PLUS the label was green so it fit in with the color scheme. I’m weird like that.  If you’d prefer to use white beans instead, please feel free.

Look at all that yummy green goodness!!!

Crock Pot Chicken & Chickpea Clean Green Stew 

Serves 6

Ingredients:
Olive oil spray
1 small onion, coarsely chopped (I used ½ white and ½ red because that’s what I had in the fridge)
4-6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or two breasts, aim for about a pound (organic preferred)
2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed
1 (12-ounce) jar green salsa (look for a “clean” brand without sugar, preservatives, etc.)
1 (4-ounce) can diced green chile
3-4 cups chicken broth or stock (organic preferred, use less for a thicker consistency)
1 teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon ground coriander
1 avocado, cubed (garnish)
Cilantro (garnish)
Green onion (garnish)
Lime wedges (garnish)

Directions:
Lightly spritz the inside of the Crock Pot with olive oil spray. This step is not necessary, I just find that it makes clean up a little easier.

Place chopped onions in Crock Pot. Place chicken on top of onions. Add garbanzo beans, salsa, diced chile, chicken stock, and spices. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-6 hours.

Just prior to serving, ladle out about a cup of the stew containing the chickpeas/chicken/onion mixture. Using a blender, food processor, or hand mixer, pulse until smooth. Add pureed mixture back into the crock pot and stir. NOTE: This step is completely optional. I wanted a little creamier texture. Omitting the blending step will result in a more broth-y soup and I was going more for stew.

Ladle chili into serving bowls. Garnish with avocado cubes, cilantro, green onion, and lime wedges and serve immediately.

Results:
If you have the time, cook this on low ALL DAY LONG. Your house will smell AHHHH-mazing and the longer you let this simmer, the better it tastes!

And speaking of taste---OMY!!! You read that right…oh my YUMMY! So flavorful! The hubs and I gobbled this up went back for seconds. I’m pretty excited about the leftovers for lunch today, too.

Could you do this on the stove? Absolutely. But the beauty of the Crock Pot is that you literally throw all the ingredients in and walk away. No fuss, no muss! If you don’t have a Crock Pot, go out and get one—immediately. They are pretty inexpensive at places like Wal-Mart, Big Lots, Target, etc. and they will save you tons of time and provide lots of leftovers.

Until next time,
Ryann

P.S. For more information on AdvoCare, the 24 Day Challenge, or the 10-Day Cleanse, check out www.Advo949.com. A HUGE group of people just finished the challenge and another large group is getting ready to kick off their challenge the day after the Super Bowl. Pictures speak louder than words. Check out these impressive before/after images. (That’s me in the purple tank top with the peacock feather in the background!) If you have any questions, feel free comment below or email me at Advo949@gmail.com.