Slow Cooker Coconut Curry Chicken

• 1 Slow Cooker Veggie Kit
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 2 tbsp canola oil
• 2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 jar Stonewall Kitchen Coconut Curry Simmering Sauce
• 1 c water or chicken stock
• 1 box Near East Rice Pilaf, cooked to package directions
• Fresh cilantro, chopped

Slow Cooker Veggie Kit:

• 2 red potatoes, cubed
• 1 white onion, cubed
• 3 celery spears, cubed
• 1 c baby peeled carrots
• 1 c baby bella mushrooms, quartered
• 4 Bay Leaves

Place veggie kit in slow cooker and turn heat to high. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Heat oil in large sauté pan over medium high heat until it shimmers, about 5 minutes. If oil begins to smoke, remove from heat to cool down slightly. Season chicken with salt and pepper, to taste. Add chicken to pan and sear until they are a golden brown on all sides, about 5-6 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken and any juices to slow cooker on top of veggies.

Pour jar of simmering sauce and 1 c water or chicken stock over the chicken and vegetables. Cover and cook chicken breasts on high for 3-4 hours, or until chicken pulls apart easily and vegetables are fork tender.

Meanwhile, cook rice pilaf to package instructions.

To serve, discard bay leaf. Spoon chicken and veggie mixture over prepared rice pilaf. Garnish with cilantro, if desired.