harvest chicken with walnut gremolata

This is another taste of home slow cooker recipe. We had some difficulties with it. First, the chicken didn't cook, even though I turned up the crock pot to high for the last hour. I'm thinking this is because we doubled the amount of chicken in the recipe. We ended up pan frying it in the end. Second, I wasn't a fan of the butternut squash texture. I thought it seemed a bit crunchy when I was breaking up pieces for the baby. However, when eating it, I thought it was way too mushy. I didn't mind the flavor, just couldn't handle the texture. (but I have texture issues.) Brandon who was hesitant to try it because it was a squash and he is not a squash fan liked it and had seconds. I did think the flavor was good, and really liked the Gremolata that went on top. I may try it again, but not in the slow cooker. Maybe in 2 separate dishes baked in the oven?



Ingredients

• 1 medium butternut squash (about 3 lps) peeled and cubed
• 1 14 1/2 can diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 celery rib, chopped
• 3/4 cup chicken broth
• 1 clove minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. (we had none, so made up some with oregano, basil, thyme)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper (we used 3/8)
  
• 1/4 cup flour (we used 1/2 cup)
  
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt (we used 2)
  
• 6 chicken drumsticks skins removed (we used 12)
• 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta

Gremolata

• 2 Tablespoons finely chopped walnuts
• 2 Tablespoons minced fresh parsley
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel

Directions

1. In a 5 qt slow cooker, combine the squash, tomatoes, onion, celery, broth, garlic, Italian seasoning and 1/8 teaspoon pepper.
2. In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the flour, seasoned salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add chicken, a few pieces at a time and shake to coat.
3. Place chicken on top of vegetables. Cover and cook on low for 5 hour or until chicken juices run clear. REmove chicken and keep warm.
4. Stir orzo into the vegetable mixture; cover and cook 15-20 minutes longer or until orzo is tender. Meanwhile, combine gremolata ingredients.
   
5. Transfer vegetable mixture to a serving platter, top with chicken. Sprinkle with gremolata. (We just served it on individual plates.)