Slow Cooker Chicken and Sausage

Ingredients

• 1 package (16 oz.) smoked sausage, sliced
• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 2 teaspoons salt, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper, divided
• 1 large sweet onion, chopped
• 6 large carrots, peeled and sliced
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes
• 4 cans (15.5 oz. each) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Fresh thyme

Directions

1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook sausages, stirring often, about 8 minutes or until browned. Remove sausage and drain on paper towels. Set aside.
2. Sprinkle chicken with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
3. Brown chicken in drippings in skillet over medium-high heat for 4 minutes, turning once.
4. Remove chicken and set aside.
5. Cook onion and carrots in skillet over medium-high heat for 3 minutes. Add remaining salt and stir in garlic, cooking 1 minute longer. Stir in tomatoes.
6. Remove from heat and stir in beans, broth, browned sausage, thyme and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper.  Top with chicken and sprinkle with paprika. Add mixture to crock.
7. Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours.
8. Discard thyme sprigs. Shred chicken, if desired, with a fork and return to crock. Sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves.

Serves: 6-8

TEST KITCHEN TIP: If you have a slow cooker with stove-top safe cookware, substitute the cookware for the skillet in the directions above. After browning or sautéing, place cookware in base, cover and cook as directed in recipe.