Crock-Pot Balsamic Chicken

   Black-Flies!!!!! They've arrived!!! That's all I have to say about that for now. Ok, I will add that 2 black flies already flew into my eyes today. Not my fav. 

   Crock-Pot!!! I just wanted to do sound so crazy again.
   I think most people feel like a crock-pot is a winter, comfort food type of thing. Falseroo. 
   I find I use it as much, if not more often, in the 3 other seasons because there is more to do out of the house! Well, even in the house, the spring comes, and you suddenly have the urge to organize your closet....which leads to organizing your room, which leads to building a new bed! I didn't build a new bed, but that sequence of events did happen to me a few years ago. We were sleeping on a hand-me-down bed from 1963. No joke. And I was sick of it and in my cleaning/organizing frenzy I started thinking, "I can build us a new bed!". I was going to too, but, long story short, I didn't. Wait? What was I talking about....? Geepers, crock-pots. So, days like the one I blabbed on about there leave you suddenly standing in the kitchen at 4:45 going, ".....oh yeah....dinner?". In that moment I usually make some eggs and cuts up some veggies and call it a meal, but I prefer to feel a little more amazing (and humble...) by having gotten a tonne of work done around the house AND having an awesome meal ready for the fam. 
   The End. 

Crock-Pot Balsamic Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
  
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  
• 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
  
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  
• Pinch o' salt
  
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
  
• 2 tablespoon honey 
  
• 4-8 chicken drumsticks (seriously, I know it's a wide range, but it really works no matter the chicken amount. It just changes how the chicken turns out oh so slightly)
  

Method:


If you are prepping this meal the night before you need it, all the power to ya! :)  You don't have to, but I'm just throwing that option out there!
 

1. Place all the ingredients into a zippered plastic bag, close it up, shake it up, and stick it in the fridge to marinate overnight
   
2. The morning of the day you need it, dump the contents of the zippered bag into the crock-pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours*

If you're getting this ready the morning of the day you plan to eat it, do this: 

1. In your crock-pot, add all the ingredients except the chicken, and stir to combine
   
2. Add chicken drumsticks to the crock pot with the sauce, and toss the chicken around a bit so it's covered in sauce 
   
3. Cook on low setting for 8-10 hours if the chicken is frozen, or 6-8 if it's thawed*
   

*You can also cook it on high for 3-4 hours if the meat is thawed, or 5-6 if it's frozen. Cooking chicken low and slow is the best however. Just a wee crock-pot tip

 

   The balsamic vinegar really breaks down the meat leaving it tender and yummy, but it also lends a tang to compliment the sweet honey. 
   I've added other spices too, like paprika (a favourite of mine), cayenne pepper, I've even swapped out the basil for rosemary, which was great. 
   So, what are your plans for this week? I think you should plan to make this :)  Just sayin'.

   Alrighty, have a great Monday!