Spicy {Slow Cooker} Sweet Potato and Chicken Stew

After a surprisingly dry and hot summer here in Northwest Washington, today the skies opened up and we had a downpour that was insane. The kids stripped down and ran out in the backyard and I could see the plants stretching up toward  the moisture. Our driveway turned into a lake. For about thirty minutes it went on like this and then…gone.

Don’t worry. We won’t be missing our old friend rain around here for too long. It’ll be back to stay in a month or so and will completely outstay its welcome.

But tonight, I have the window open and I can smell the freshness. And I have a cool breeze – it’s the perfect night for this warming and comforting sweet potato and chicken stew. I actually made this yesterday, when it was relatively hot outside – but no worries. It’s a slow cooker meal. No hot kitchen for me!

I’ve eaten it two nights in succession, and it was even better tonight. Don’t you love food that is EVEN BETTER as leftovers?

Throw this easy meal into the slow cooker in the morning  and turn it to low (or if you forgot, at noon, then just set it to high!). By the time you’re ready for dinner, all you’ll need to do is thicken it up a bit and throw in some fat free half and half OR light coconut milk – the kind in the can, not in the carton. And a note on the chicken – the thighs will stand up to the long cooking time and stay moist. If you’re subbing chicken breast, you might want to cut your cooking time.

Top it with some fresh parsley or cilantro, curl up in a cozy chair and enjoy the warmth.