I’m not overselling the post title — short of opening up a can of beans and bacon and eating it cold, or eating a bag of carrots, this really is one of the easiest meals you can make. This recipe is also an inexpensive way to feed four people, and BTW, it’s tasty, too! Delicious, cheap and easy always works for me. No, don’t you go there… we’re not talking about that certain someone you dated in college…
Just for kicks, here are my cost breakdowns, including zucchini & cheese side. Your cost will certainly be lower (I’m in Southern California). Serves 4.
- Chicken Breasts (2 pounds): $12.00
- 8 Slices bacon: $2.00
- 5 Gala apples (small): $3.00
- 1 Lemon: $.75
- 1 cup BBQ sauce: $1.65
- 1/4 cup brown sugar: $.25
- 4 Zucchini: $2.00
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese: $1.00
- Total: $22.65 / $5.66 per person
The ingredients and cooking instructions, AKA: The Recipe…
- 4 chicken breasts.
- 8 Slices bacon
- 5 Small Gala apples, peeled and chopped
- 1 Lemon, juiced.
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- ¼ cup Brown sugar
- 4 Zucchini, sliced in half lengthwise.
- ½ cup Shredded cheese.
- For Chicken:
- In small bowl, combine BBQ sauce with chopped apple, brown sugar & lemon juice.
- Wrap 2 pieces of bacon around each chicken breast, and place chicken breasts in base of slow cooker.
- Pour BBQ/apple mixture over the chicken.
- Set to “Low” and cook for 4 hours, or until internal temperature of chicken is 165 degrees. Check with meat thermometer.
- For Zucchini:
- Par boil whole zucchini for 2 minutes or until slightly tender.
- Drain and cool.
- Cut in half lengthwise and remove pulp.
- Season to taste.
- Place cheese in “zucchini canoe” and broil until cheese melts/bubbles.
On a cutting board, lay out two strips of bacon side by side about an inch apart, placing the chicken breast in the middle — perpendicular to the bacon. Wrap each end of the bacon strip back on to the chicken breast. Transfer the meat to the slow cooker.
Combine the chopped apples, BBQ sauce, brown sugar and lemon juice. Mix thoroughly.
Pour the mixture over the chicken breasts, spreading as evenly as possible. Place the lid on the slow cooker, set your timer, and go out and save the world or something for 4 hours. Read a book. Maybe go to work for a while. Knit. Play ice hockey. Help old women across the street! You get the picture — time is precious, so make the most of it. You’ll never get those 4 hours back, so do not choose poorly…
Well, you’re not out saving the world just this second… so while the bacon wrapped chicken is slow cookin’, let me introduce you to the Ninja 3-in-1 Cooking System. Disclosure Alert! The Ninja was given to me by the manufacturer — Euro-Pro, free of charge. How did I get so lucky? I attended the International Food Blogger Conference last August in Portland, OR, and everyone there was quite shocked to learn that we all were getting hooked up! Cool! There were no strings attached, and in no way was it suggested that I feature this product in my blog or provide a “review” of the Ninja in exchange for the product itself. My words are my own.
I’ve used a number of slow cookers over the years, and as I discovered with this dish, the Ninja works great in that capacity. The chicken was moist and tender, the apples soft and delicious. Clean up consisted of a quick wipe down with soap and water. What makes the Ninja really unique though, is its ability to conquer other cooking tasks like searing, roasting, simmering, sautéing and baking as well. Used to its full potential, it’s a good buy, but if all you ever do is slow cooking or “crock pot” type of meal preparations, the cost will be a deal breaker. Bottom line: It’s a versatile, well made appliance that is much more than “just” a slow cooker — it’s definitely worth a look
if you’re in the market for such an item. I like it, and I’ll continue to use it.
Where were we? Oh, right. Zoom ahead 4 hours… I checked the chicken with a meat thermometer and it read 165 degrees — done! Plate up the bacon wrapped chicken breast, top with the apples and add the side of cheese loaded zucchini. How easy is that? Enjoy a nice, leisurely meal…some candles for ambiance and maybe a glass of wine, too. But when you’re finished, promise me: you’ll get back out there and save the world — there’s certainly plenty to do!
I’m right behind you, just one more bite! Bacon!!