The Stretching Chicken Recipe

Unlock the culinary magic of one chicken! This isn't just a recipe; it's a game-changer. Learn how to transform a single bird into up to 20 delicious servings, perfect for meal prepping and diverse cuisine exploration. From classic chicken enchiladas to comforting chicken stew with dumplings and vibrant Asian-inspired dishes, the possibilities are endless. This method ensures tender, juicy chicken every time, making it perfect for Mexican, Oriental, and countless other recipes. Imagine: flavorful chicken enchiladas, hearty chicken stew, creamy chicken ala king, and a rich jellied consommé, all from one chicken! Prepare for delicious adventures with this incredibly versatile recipe.

Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 560 mins
Calories 116.1 kcal
Protein 15g
Rating Be the first
The Stretching Chicken 62

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Forktionary editorial kitchen team

The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for The Stretching Chicken

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How to Make The Stretching Chicken

  1. Place 1 whole chicken (approx. 3-4 lbs), 1 large onion (quartered), and 2 bay leaves in a slow cooker.
  2. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste. Add 6 cups of water to the slow cooker.
  3. Cook on low for 9-10 hours. Do not open the slow cooker during cooking.
  4. Carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker and let it cool completely.
  5. Strain the cooking liquid through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl.
  6. To remove fat, pour the strained stock into a large, shallow dish and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Once chilled, carefully spoon off the solidified fat layer.
  7. Reserve the jellied consommé (the solidified stock) for soups or other recipes. You can portion it into freezer-safe bags and freeze for later use.
  8. Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, remove the skin and bones.
  9. Shred or chop the chicken meat into your desired size. Portion the chicken into freezer-safe bags, removing as much air as possible before freezing. Keep aside the amount of chicken you will be using immediately.
  10. For optimal freezing, consider vacuum sealing the chicken portions.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

1 g

Sugar

1g

Fat

12g

Carbs

0g

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)

Soups, Stews & Chilis Main Courses Main Dish / Dinner Side Dishes Poultry Chicken Recipes Asian Thai The Americas American Mexican Gluten Free Slow Cooker

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

Weeknight Time To Make Main Ingredient Cuisine Preparation North American For Large Groups Very Low Carbs Poultry Canadian Chicken Crock Pot Slow Cooker Dietary Low Sodium Gluten Free Low Carb Free Of Something Low In Something Meat Equipment Number Of Servings

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make The Stretching Chicken?

The Stretching Chicken takes about 590 minutes from start to finish — roughly 30 minutes to prepare and 560 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in The Stretching Chicken?

The Stretching Chicken has approximately 116.1 calories per serving, with about 15 g protein, 0 g carbohydrates and 13 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for The Stretching Chicken?

The key ingredients for The Stretching Chicken are Stewing Chicken, Onion, Water, Salt & Pepper, Bay Leaf. See the full list with measurements above.

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