Crock Pot Catalina Chicken: Most Delicious Meal Recipe
If you’re on the hunt for a show-stopping weeknight dinner, let me introduce you to Crock Pot Catalina Chicken: Most Delicious Meal. This sweet and tangy chicken dish is a tried-and-true family favorite in my kitchen, thanks to its irresistible saucy glaze and effortless slow cooker magic. Imagine juicy chicken breasts smothered in a glossy, savory-sweet sauce that’s just as fabulous over fluffy rice as it is spooned onto noodles or mashed potatoes. With just a handful of pantry staples and almost zero prep, you’ll have a meal that tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen—without breaking a sweat. Trust me, you’ll want to add Crock Pot Catalina Chicken: Most Delicious Meal to your regular dinner rotation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes this recipe so wonderful is how just a few simple ingredients can come together to create something truly crave-worthy. Each element plays a key role in building layers of flavor and that signature saucy finish.
- Chicken Breasts: Go for boneless, skinless chicken breasts for easy shredding and a tender bite that soaks up all the saucy goodness.
- Catalina Salad Dressing: The star of the sauce, this dressing brings a sweet and tangy kick that ties everything together—don’t substitute with French dressing if you want the classic flavor!
- Dry Onion Soup Mix: This little packet is packed with savory onion flavor and herbs, adding depth and a hint of umami to the sauce.
- Apricot Preserves or Jam: A generous scoop of apricot preserves gives the sauce its signature fruity sweetness and glossy texture; peach or orange marmalade work as fun swaps.
- Cornstarch (optional): If you love a thick, clingy sauce, a little cornstarch slurry does the trick right at the end.
- Chopped Parsley: A handful of fresh parsley adds a burst of color and a touch of freshness for the perfect finishing touch.
How to Make Crock Pot Catalina Chicken: Most Delicious Meal
Step 1: Layer the Chicken
Start by placing the chicken breasts in the bottom of your crock pot. Try to lay them in a single layer so each piece gets fully coated by the sauce as it cooks. This helps the chicken cook evenly and soak up every bit of flavor.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Sauce
In a small mixing bowl, combine the Catalina dressing, dry onion soup mix, and apricot preserves. Take a moment to whisk until the mixture is smooth and glossy—the aroma alone will have you excited for dinner. This sauce is the secret to making Crock Pot Catalina Chicken: Most Delicious Meal so irresistible.
Step 3: Pour and Coat
Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken breasts, making sure every piece is generously covered. Use a spoon to spread the mixture if needed. The key here is ensuring all the chicken is nestled under that sweet and savory glaze for maximum flavor infusion.
Step 4: Set and Forget
Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when the chicken is so tender it practically falls apart with a fork. The slow cooking process gives the sauce time to thicken and the flavors to meld beautifully.
Step 5: Thicken the Sauce (Optional)
If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the chicken once it’s cooked. Whisk together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to make a slurry, then stir it into the sauce. Let the sauce cook on high for 10 to 15 minutes until it thickens up, then return the chicken and stir to coat.
Step 6: Serve and Garnish
Spoon the hot, saucy chicken over your favorite base—rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes work beautifully. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and herby freshness. That’s it: Crock Pot Catalina Chicken: Most Delicious Meal, ready to wow your table!
How to Serve Crock Pot Catalina Chicken: Most Delicious Meal
Garnishes
While this chicken is plenty flavorful on its own, a simple garnish of fresh chopped parsley or even a sprinkle of sliced green onions can take your presentation up a notch. For a little extra zing, add a squeeze of fresh lemon over the top right before serving. It’s all about those little touches that make Crock Pot Catalina Chicken: Most Delicious Meal feel special.
Side Dishes
This dish practically begs to be served over a cozy base—think steamed jasmine rice, buttery egg noodles, or creamy mashed potatoes to soak up that incredible sauce. For a veggie boost, try pairing with roasted green beans, crisp steamed broccoli, or a fresh garden salad. Each side helps round out the meal and balances the sweet and savory flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to get playful, try shredding the chicken and stuffing it into toasted sandwich buns for a tangy, saucy sandwich, or use it as a topping for baked potatoes. It also makes a surprising (and delicious) pizza topping! However you serve it, Crock Pot Catalina Chicken: Most Delicious Meal is guaranteed to impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Crock Pot Catalina Chicken: Most Delicious Meal keeps beautifully in the fridge. Transfer cooled chicken and sauce to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. The flavors deepen overnight, making leftovers even more crave-worthy the next day.
Freezing
This recipe is freezer-friendly, making it perfect for meal prep. Portion the cooled chicken and sauce into freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, thaw overnight in the fridge for best texture and flavor.
Reheating
To reheat, simply warm the chicken and sauce gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave for a quick lunch or dinner—just cover to keep the chicken moist. If the sauce seems thick, add a splash of water to loosen it up.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a fantastic alternative and actually bring even more flavor and juiciness to Crock Pot Catalina Chicken: Most Delicious Meal. Just be sure to trim any excess fat before adding them to the crock pot.
Is there a substitute for Catalina dressing?
Catalina dressing is key to this dish’s signature flavor, but if you’re in a pinch, you can use French dressing for a similar sweet-tangy taste. For best results, stick with Catalina if you can find it!
Does this recipe work with other jams or preserves?
Yes! While apricot preserves give the classic flavor, peach or orange marmalade are wonderful alternatives. Each brings a slightly different fruity note to Crock Pot Catalina Chicken: Most Delicious Meal, so feel free to experiment.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
Definitely. You can assemble everything in the crock pot insert the night before and refrigerate. In the morning, just set the insert into the crock pot, turn it on, and let Crock Pot Catalina Chicken: Most Delicious Meal cook while you go about your day.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
It can be! Just make sure to use a gluten-free dry onion soup mix. The rest of the ingredients in Crock Pot Catalina Chicken: Most Delicious Meal are naturally gluten-free, so it’s easy to adapt for dietary needs.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a fuss-free, flavor-packed dinner, I can’t recommend Crock Pot Catalina Chicken: Most Delicious Meal enough. It’s simple, comforting, and sure to become a new favorite at your table. Give it a try—you might just find yourself making it again and again!
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Crock Pot Catalina Chicken: Most Delicious Meal Recipe
- Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Crock Pot Catalina Chicken is a deliciously sweet and tangy slow cooker meal featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a flavorful sauce made from Catalina dressing, dry onion soup mix, and apricot preserves. This easy recipe is perfect for an effortless weeknight dinner and pairs wonderfully with rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Sauce
- 1 cup Catalina salad dressing
- 1 packet dry onion soup mix (about 1 oz)
- 1/2 cup apricot preserves or jam
Optional
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for thickening)
- 2 tablespoons water (to make cornstarch slurry)
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts evenly at the bottom of your crock pot to ensure even cooking.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, thoroughly mix Catalina dressing, dry onion soup mix, and apricot preserves until fully combined into a smooth sauce.
- Combine and Cook: Pour the sauce over the chicken breasts, making sure each piece is well coated. Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily shredded with a fork.
- Thicken the Sauce (Optional): If a thicker sauce is desired, remove the chicken at the end of cooking. Whisk together cornstarch and water to make a slurry, then stir it into the sauce in the crock pot. Cook on high for an additional 10–15 minutes until the sauce has thickened. Return the chicken to the pot and stir gently to coat with the thickened sauce.
- Serve: Serve the chicken hot over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired for a pop of color and flavor.
Notes
- Chicken thighs may be used instead of breasts for a richer flavor.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day, making this recipe ideal for meal prep.
- For a flavor variation, substitute apricot preserves with peach or orange marmalade.
- Ensure the dry onion soup mix is gluten-free if adhering to a gluten-free diet.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 710mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
