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Is there anything better than the smell of bacon cooking?  Maybe only the knowledge that it’s part of a one-pot, healthy, and delicious crockpot meal.  You’re going to love this recipe, Friends.

Crockpot Bacon Balsamic Chicken and VegetablesIt is so easy to eat lots of fruits and vegetables in the summer when they’re in season, but what about the fall and winter?  My solution is to embrace the seasonal root vegetables that are healthy, budget-friendly, and delicious (like carrots, sweet potatoes, and beets).

I love using my crockpot to make pot roasts with carrots (this is one of my favorite recipes) and soups that are loaded with veggies.  This new crockpot recipe combines chicken with tons of vegetables and a healthy dose of bacon for an amazing, one-pot meal!

I’m not going to lie, this dish smells A-MAZ-ZING! I like chicken thighs for this recipe because they are hearty, like the vegetables, but chicken breasts also work fine. You can omit the bacon if you want, but it really does take this recipe over the top. We like to buy all-natural, uncured bacon that is antibiotic, hormone and nitrite-free to make it a little more justifiable. Plus, we’re pretty firm believers in “everything in moderation.”  Enjoy!

Crockpot Bacon Balsamic Chicken and Vegetables

Yields: 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper
  • 3 small sweet potatoes (about 1 1/2 pounds), peeled and cubed
  • 1 bunch kale, rinsed and chopped
  • 1 pound carrots, peeled and chopped (you can substitute other veggies of your choice – brussels sprouts or green beans would be great)
  • 4 slices bacon, chopped

Directions

  1. Combine all ingredients in crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

To Freeze and Cook Later

Label your freezer bag with the name of the recipe, cooking instructions, and use-by date (three months from when you prepped the meal). Add all ingredients to your bag. Remove as much air as possible, seal, and freeze for up to three months.  When ready to cook, thaw in refrigerator overnight or in morning in water and then cook on low for 6-8 hours.



Jill Petrush Rogers is an artist and former bookbuyer/seller. Jill recently moved back to her hometown of Pittsburgh, PA with her husband, Tom, and their two energy-filled boys. Jill loves to channel her creativity by coming up with recipes as a contributing writer for New Leaf Wellness.

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natalie gallant
7 years ago

In your description you called for beets but in the recipe it calls for a pound of kale. That seems like a lot. Can you clarify? Thank you! Thanks This looks awesome!

KarenV
KarenV
7 years ago

Beets? Have you tried this with beets? I love beets, but I’m wondering if they would turn this dish pink.

Kelly McNelis
Admin
7 years ago
Reply to  KarenV

I have not tried, but it sounds good. You can always separate them to one side of the crock, like in the photo above.

Deb
Deb
7 years ago

Just making sure here…you don’t cook the bacon prior to putting it in the slow cooker?

Kelly McNelis
Admin
7 years ago
Reply to  Deb

Correct!

Jeff Page
Jeff Page
7 years ago

We cooked this today… couple of things to point out. With 1lb of Kale I have no idea how anyone could fit this in a one gallon bag. When we prepared it I had to switch it over to a 2 gal bag. This totally filled my 7qt crock pot bowl to the very top. Now the worst part… the only thing edible is the chicken and bacon. The kale tastes terrible, how can anyone eat that stuff? The other veggies are tainted with kale flavor. The house smells terrible from it cooking all day also. This is the first… Read more »

Kelly McNelis
Admin
7 years ago
Reply to  Jeff Page

Oh no! I am so sorry about that, Jeff. I believe that is a typo and should read “1 BUNCH of kale”. I will update the recipe ASAP to prevent other people from having the same experience as you. I take complete responsibility for the issue and I apologize. I believe the weight was added to clarify the amount in a “bunch”, but 1 pound does seem like a lot. I’m sure a few ounces would be plenty.

Nancy L Hunt
Nancy L Hunt
3 years ago
Reply to  Jeff Page

I just made this one tonight and I agree that it was our least favorite so far. I am not sure if I did something wrong, but no one in my family could eat it. It cooked for 6 hours and then I ended up making a whole new meal.

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Stephanie
Stephanie
6 years ago

I am new to these crock pot recipes! Would you be so kind as to please describe the best way of combining these ingredients in the crock pot? Would the bacon be put on the top of everything? The photo seems to show the kale on the bottom?… Thank you so much for “walking me through” the order of adding the ingredients….