This delicious, healthy, budget-friendly, one-pot meal is one of our favorites for busy weeks. The spice combination is full of healing ingredients like turmeric and cinnamon. Serve over rice or on it’s own!
This post was sponsored by Flavor of the Earth. All opinions are my own.
We are in the process of moving (again). While the new place is only a mile away, the struggle is real. I think because it’s close, the move actually harder. We’ve been transferring boxes and furniture pieces one load at a time for over a week!
Needless to say, healing ingredients are much-needed for our aching backs. Both turmeric and cinnamon are known to have anti-inflammatory properties. These two superstar ingredients were the inspiration for this recipe.
I’ve been loving Organic Turmeric and Ceylon Cinnamon products from Flavor Of The Earth. You can find them on Amazon, where I buy all the things.
I fell in love with Flavor of the Earth for a few reasons. First of all, they only source from small family farms where they genuinely care about their crop. It’s all ground from the raw product into powder in the US, where it can be packaged immediately. Flavor of the Earth only grinds the raw product in very small batches. You want small batch, immediate grinding and packaging to ensure fresh product with maximum purity.
Why should you care about purity?
Remember when the news blew up with reports that expensive fish sold in many restaurants and stores was actually a cheaper substitute? A similar thing happens with spices.
You’ve likely seen all of the different cinnamons available on shelves. Most of those “cinnamons” aren’t actually cinnamon at all, and they contain a lot of a toxic chemical called Coumarin, which can damage the liver. What you actually want is true cinnamon called Ceylon Cinnamon. Flavor of the Earth’s product is pure and has 1250 times less Coumarin than cinnamons. You can truly taste the difference!
Turmeric is also one you need to be careful of. Many capsules and powders sold contain additives and fillers. These include two potentially toxic ingredients: magnesium stearate (also known as stearic acid) and dibasic calcium phosphate. You want as much curcumin, the active substance in turmeric, as possible. Another thing to consider with turmeric is absorption rates. I was taking turmeric capsules until I realized most of what’s in the pills goes right through you. Ingesting turmeric powder is the most effective way to go. Pro tip: mixing it with fat may supercharge absorption rates.
So why am I eating all of this?
Turmeric and cinnamon are great natural remedies. Especially if, like me, you are hard on your body. Here are a few of the benefits of each:
Cinnamon
- Contains anti-inflammatory properties
- Packed with protective antioxidants
- Helps reduce LDL (the “bad” cholesterol)
- Aids in lowering blood sugar
- Protects cognitive function and brain health
- Anti-fungal properties can help prevent or cure Candida
- Benefits skin health – acne, rosacea, and skin allergies
Turmeric
- Effective anti-inflammatory compound
- Reduces oxidative stress and inflammation
- Can promote natural weight loss
- Helps calm gastrointestinal issues
- May be effective in managing depression
- Benefits skin health – wound healing, acne, psoriasis
Do you see some similarities between the two?
This dish is a simple slow cooker meal, good for busy weeks and moving. A slow cooker was one of the last things I packed because it’s such an easy way to cook dinner without dirtying many dishes.
My Slow Cooker Turmeric Chicken is similar to a stew in flavor; however, it doesn’t have all the soupy liquid. Think of it as chicken and vegetables with a thin, flavorful sauce. I think that makes it a better summer dinner. It’s perfect for serving over rice and enjoying on the patio!
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Slow Cooker Turmeric Chicken
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 4 hours
Keywords: slow-cooker gluten-free low-carb chicken turmeric cinnamon rice
Ingredients (8 servings)
- 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 sweet potato, thinly sliced and quartered
- 2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 red onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp ground turmeric
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 C fresh parsley
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 2 cups brown rice, precooked
Instructions
Place the carrots and sweet potato in the bottom of the slow cooker. Place the onion, garlic, and chicken breast pieces on top of that.
In a bowl, mix the spices. Sprinkle the spice blend over the chicken and vegetables. Pour the tomatoes over the top. It may look like not enough liquid, but I promise it is.
Cover the cooker, and cook on high for 3.5-4 hours (the chicken’s internal temperature should be a minimum of 165 degrees F).
Stir to combine and serve over rice.
***
Almost done with the move. After this weekend we’re home free!
What’s your favorite make-ahead meal?
Are you a fan of turmeric? Cinnamon?
Hi! Love the turmeric… yay! I posted a recipe with Flavor of the Earth today–wahoo! 😊🙌
I saw that! It made me laugh out loud. 😉
Gonna have to try this. We are trying to come up with new meals and such and this could be the ticket!
And isn’t this the 3rd time or something like that that you all have moved about a mile away from your previous house??
This would be perfect for you with all the nutrients. 😉
And yes. It’s the 3rd time in 2.5 years. I’m impressed you kept track… I barely can! Hopefully this is it for a while.
Yum!! I know turmeric is SO good for you so I am trying to eat more of it!
This is a great way to do it! We’re forever trying to get more into our diets.
I love both cinnamon, turmeric and slow cooker recipes! This is great and I love how you list the benefits of each spice! Im a nerd and love that stuff!
Thanks! I always wonder if people actually read that part or just skip to the recipe. LOL!
definitely a comfort food!
Tumeric is the very “in” spice right now. I remember those olden basil days.
LOL! I love me some basil, too!
Those are all of my favorite spices! I make something similar with tofu
This would be great with tofu; there’s so much flavor!
This recipe looks delicious! Crockpot for the win! Also, this was really good information about spices! I knew about the benefits of cinnamon and turmeric, but the quality in supplements was something I considered with those two. I definitely use supplements for certain things, but this calls attention to the fact that real food is usually better than supplements.
Thanks! I was the same way with supplements. Then I read somewhere that the absorption wasn’t good (after wasting god knows how much on turmeric pills) and started digging deeper. Real food, FTW!
Yup I’m doing this. Simple and easy, I need meals like this in my life now!!
Also perfect for easing my winter chill right now 🙂
I always forget it’s cold there! Let me know what you think if you do try it!
Turmeric is a great ingredient to add to the dish as it is extremely healthy! This recipe is mouth-watering, Laura! What brand of ground turmeric do you use?
I use Flavor of the Earth – it’s the one I linked to in the post. 😉
Love adding turmeric to chicken. Look forward to trying this one.
Thanks! I hope you enjoy it!
Yessss! I’ve been wanting to make something with my slow cooker but completely out of inspiration! This sounds amazing! <3
Thank you! I hope you do try it – it’s such an simple, nutritious meal!
Hooray for healthy and colorful eats. Also hooray for being done with moving.