Slow Cooker Guinness Stout and Chicken Stew for St. Patricks Day

Saint Patricks Day is coming and I know what you are thinking not another Beer Battered Fish or just say no to Cornbeef and Cabbage.  Personally I could live on cabbage alone but I understand that it is probably just me and Irish are not really known for their renowned cuisine.  I’m sorry did I say it out loud? They are however known for their alcohol.  So when I found this Slow Cooker Recipe in my new favorite mag Eating Well I just had to make it.  It calls for Guinness can you get more Irish then that?  And it is slow cooked so it will ripen while you are enjoying your neighborhood parades and fest.

You will need: 2 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, 3 pieces of bacon, 6 tbs plus 1/2 cup all purpose flour (divided), 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp ground pepper, 4 tsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 2/3 cup Guinness Beer or stout (14 oz can) plus more for drinking, 1 lb whole baby carrots (cut into 1 inch pieces), 1 (8 oz) package crimini or button mushrooms, 2 cups chopped onions, 4 garlic cloves mined, 1 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1 cup reduced sodium chicken broth, 2 cups frozen peas (thawed)

Combine 6 tbs flour with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper

Cover the chicken evenly in flour

Heat 2 tsp of oil in the pan over medium heat and half cook the chicken till brown.  Reduce heat to medium add 2 tsp more oil and cook the rest.

Place in a bottom of 5-6 qt slow cooker.

Dice the bacon

Add to the pan and cook stirring for 2 minutes

Add remaining 1/2 cup flour over the bacon and cook stirring constantly for 2 more minutes

With your other hand pour yourself a Guinness making sure you set aside 1 2/3 cups, or open two 14 oz cans, drink only one

Add it to the pan scraping the bottom pieces

You will have a thick paste like mix when finished, about minute.

Pour mixture over the chicken adding mushrooms over the top.  Hopefully you bought the presliced ones but if you did not halving them will be enough.

Add cut carrots, chopped onions and  1 1/2 tsp dried thyme

Top with 1 cup chicken broth, cover and pour yourself another Guinness, go to a St. Patty Party or Parade leaving 2 cups of frozen peas on the table.

This will cook 4 hours on high or 7-8 hours on low so plan accordingly.

When ready stir in the peas and cook till heated through 5-10 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper.

Dig in Enjoy by now I am sure you are pretty hungry.

One or more Guinness may been consumed while writing this post, sorry for the spelling errors.

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK’S DAY !!!

Nutritional Information, makes 8 servings, serving size 1 1/3 cup, cost per serving under $2.50

365 calories, 13 g fat, 88 mg cholesterol, 28 g carbohydrate, 0 sugars, 30 g protein, 4 g fiber, 570 mg sodium, 650 mg potassium.