September 17 is half-St. Patrick’s Day. Not exactly a national holiday, but among Celtic-oriented folk, it’s another excuse to celebrate.  At the very least, you can sit down with a nice bowl of stew and a loaf of Irish soda bread.  Actually, I am checking this out as a main dish for an Alban Elfed gathering this weekend to celebrate the Fall Equinox.  Being as this is a Celtic group of people, how can you go wrong with a Guinness stout enhanced recipe? And it makes the meat juicy and tender.

At this time of the year, you’re probably not too keen to heat up the kitchen with a stew in the oven, but this version is cooked in a crock pot and is made with chicken so it isn’t as heavy as a hearty beef stew, which is so welcome in winter. This version is pretty low in carbs, even with potatoes thrown in. I usually use turnips, but if you don’t like them, it’s only a couple of extra carbs per serving to use regular potatoes.

2 half Chicken Breasts, boned and skinned
2 Chicken Thighs, boned and skinned
1 tblsp Olive Oil
1 cup cubed Turnips or potatoes
1 cup Guinness Draught Stout Beer
1/4 cup Carbquick
2 medium slices Bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 tsp minced Garlic
1 cup Green Beans, frozen or fresh, cut into pieces (optional)
2 stalks medium Celery, chopped
2 cups Chicken Broth
Salt, to taste
1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
1 teaspoon ground Thyme
1/2 cup fresh Mushrooms, pieces or slices
1/2 cup chopped Onions

In a shallow bowl or tin pan, mix together the Carbquick, a pinch of salt and pepper. Wash and trim the chicken and pat dry. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour mixture and place in the skillet. Cook until lightly browned, about 2-4 minutes on each side. Put into crock pot.

Add chopped bacon to the pot, then pour beer and chicken broth into it. Stir well.

Add the garlic, thyme and the vegetables and stir well.

Cover and cook until the chicken falls apart, 4 hours on High or 7 to 8 hours on Low.

Add additional salt and pepper if needed.

Makes 6 servings

Calories: 124 Net Carbs: 5.1 g Protein: 14.3 g

Without green beans: Calories: 119 Net Carbs: 4.7 g Protein: 14.3

With 1 cup diced potatoes instead of turnips: 132 Net Carbs: 7.2 Protein: 14.6

POSTED BY RENE AVERETT AT 9/17/2012 12:43 PM