Swiss Chicken Crockpot Casserole

Snowing here again this Sunday...not as much as last Sunday, but enough to make it a cozy day at home.  Last Sunday, during the storm, I made this recipe that I had not made for a long time.   The recipe came in the cookbook that came with a crockpot that I replaced several years ago.  Can I just say I love cooking in the crockpot?  I loved it when I was teaching and there was nothing like coming home after a long day, opening the door, and smelling that dinner was DONE!   But, now retired, I still love my crockpot.  I love getting everything ready early in the day and then...forget about it!  Now, when dinnertime gets close and I am right in the middle of a good book, or a good movie, or a long conversation ... I don't need to stop and make dinner.  IT IS DONE.   And, because it is just the two of us, there are always leftovers.  Or, as I call them, "planovers".  I am so glad we brought our small, upright freezer with us when we downsized and moved to our apartment home.  It fits perfectly in our laundry room and I keep it filled with soups, dinners, and baked goods to enjoy anytime we want.  So...we enjoyed this last Sunday, and there are two more dinners in deep freeze just waiting to be enjoyed.  Here is how to make it:

Swiss Chicken Crockpot Casserole

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

6 slices of swiss cheese

1 can of cream of anything soup...original called for mushroom, I use celery.

1/4 cup of milk...or cream...or water if you are out of everything.

2 cups of herbed stuffing mix - I use Pepperidge Farm that I buy at the local outlet.

1/2 cup margarine or butter, melted

Spray the crockpot with non-stick cooking spray.  Arrange the chicken breasts on the bottom of the crock pot.  Top with cheese, layering if necessary.  Combine soup and milk, stir well, and spoon over the cheese.  Sprinkle with the dry stuffing mix and then drizzle melted butter over all.  Cook on Low for 8-10 hours or High for 4-6.  Serves 6.

I was inspired to make this because our local grocery store had a sale on boneless, skinless chicken breasts ...

These chicken breasts were HUGE...

So, in the spirit of "portion control"  I cut each large breast in half...and I cut up the extra little hangover pieces and put them in a freezer bag for stir fry at a later date.

You can see how even cut in half these pieces fill up the crock pot.  

I used Swiss cheese from the dairy aisle...sometimes if I am buying other deli items I will look for a lower fat/sodium Swiss, but the deli was a zoo that day so I went with this...

I broke the slices in half and laid them all over the chicken...overlapping a bit...

I know there is a lot of talk about not using these creamed, canned soups...not too healthy...so I use the fat free version and figure I don't use them often...

Mixed the soup with skim milk ( see, I am being healthy)...

Then poured it evenly over the chicken and cheese...

You can see from the "red line" on this bag that I purchased it at the Pepperidge Farm Outlet.  There is a factory not too far from here, and that store is open on the weekends.  We used to live quite close to there and when we would take walks near the plant and they were baking you could smell the most delicious things in the air.  Now we live further away and there is an outlet store in a nearby outlet mall.   And...Tuesdays are Senior Citizen days when you get an extra 10% off your bill.  I stock up on healthy breads and rolls...once again, put them in the freezer.  And...sometimes I stock up on the not so healthy layer cakes ( COCONUT!!) and put them in the freezer in case of company dropping in.  Now with Covid, no company....

Sprinkle the stuffing evenly over the entire pot...I sometimes us more stuffing because I LOVE stuffing...

And then I use Squeeze Parkay on top...or I will melt Smart Balance.   Then pop the lid on and let it go all day....dinner is DONE!

I like to serve it with a big side of vegetables...a cheesy, warm comfort meal - perfect for these cold winter days!

Do you use a crockpot often ?  What are your favorite recipes for the crockpot ?  Thanks so much for stopping by Our New Vista today...please leave a comment below and tell me what you think.  Blessings and enjoy the winter!