Chicken Cordon Bleu...in a Crockpot

Okay, so I wasn't so creative with the side dishes.  In my defense we arrived home from one of the girl's softball game at almost 6:00 p.m. and I was mainly concerned with getting dinner on the table.  However, since I haven't posted this recipe before we get the canned veggie side dishes and the egg noodles that cook up in seven minutes.

My kids ALL liked this, and with five sets of varying taste buds that is a huge accomplishment.  This started as a freezer meal that was thawed completely by allowing it two days in the fridge.  We knew in advance we had some crazy scheduling this week, but I understand that doesn't always make a great freezer meal for some families.  With the cheese in the chicken I'm not sure how a microwave defrost would affect the overall taste and texture and don't recommend it.

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts fileted
4 large slices of swiss cheese
4 large, thin slices of ham
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup milk

Filet the chicken breasts in half to yield 6 long thin pieces.  I am not a top notch chef so mine do not end up in equal sizes.  This isn't a problem in my family as the kids usually want a smaller portion anyway, but it is something to note if you need to increase the number of chicken breasts you are using.  Layer 1/2 of a ham slice and 1/2 of a slice of swiss cheese on each piece of chicken lengthwise.  Roll each piece of chicken with the ham and cheese on the inside and secure with a toothpick.

To freeze, place the rolled chicken in a freezer bag.  I double bagged mine because of the toothpicks.  I don't know if this was necessary, but I was concerned of puncturing through the freezer bag.  It wasn't so much freezer burn as I knew it was only in the freezer for the month as much as the concern of the raw chicken juices leaking while the chicken thawed...


Freezer bag label: Thaw completely, place in crockpot and cover with 1 can cream of chicken soup mixed with 1/2 cup milk.  Cook on low in crockpot 4 -5 hours.

If you choose not to freeze this, place the chicken in a crockpot and cover with the cream of chicken soup mixed with milk.  Cook on low in the crockpot  4 - 5 hours.  If you have a small crockpot you can teepee the chicken so they are all in a single layer.

Please remember crockpot cooking times typically assume your crockpot is 1/2 - 2/3 full.  The chicken may dry out if you have a seven quart crockpot and are only cooking 8 pieces of chicken.

Garlic Lime Chicken

This recipe wins in all categories.  First off, two of my favorite things are garlic and lime.  Second, it's a freezer meal. Third, it's diet friendly. And last, it is flexible in preparation; it can be cooked in a crockpot or you can marinate the meat and cook it on a grill.  How can you possibly go wrong?

Yes, after I took the pretty picture I did add sauce to my rice and chicken...I'm a saucy kind of girl...

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup lime juice
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cloves garlic, pressed
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon black pepper


If you are marinating the meat, stab the chicken and place in a gallon size ziploc freezer bag.  Combine the other ingredients and pour over the chicken.  Marinate at least 2 hours and grill.

If you are using a crockpot place the chicken in the bottom of your crockpot.  I find a 4 quart works great for this recipe.  Combine the other ingredients and pour over the meat.  Cook on high 3 - 4 hours, or low 6 - 8 hours.  If you can, turn the meat about half way through.  Also, if you are cooking in a larger crockpot this will cook MUCH faster.  Check your meat frequently or double the chicken.  There is no need to double the sauce, there will be plenty.

For those who are counting calories...I cut the chicken as best I could into 4 ounce pieces before I placed it in the crockpot.  With the chicken I purchased, it four chicken breasts allowed for approximately two and a quarter pounds of chicken.

To prepare as a freezer meal.  Place the chicken in a labeled ziploc freezer bag.  Combine the other ingredients, then pour into the bag.  Again, if you plan to grill the chicken, it's best to stab the chicken first. For grilling, thaw overnight in the refrigerator.  The meat will marinate while it's thawing.  For crockpot cooking, on cooking day place the items from the bag in the crockpot and cook as above.  If you cook from frozen remember your cooking time will be on the high side.

We usually serve this with rice and steamed veggies.  LOVE IT!!!

Nutritional information per Spark People Recipe Calculator

For each 4 oz serving of chicken:
115     calories
0.5 g   fat
2.3 g   carbohydrate
0.1 g   fiber
0.5 g   sugar
24.1 g protein