- 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
- 2 onions, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ tsp (7 ml) dried sage leaves
- ½ tsp ( 2 ml) cracked black peppercorns
- ½ tsp ( 2 ml) salt
- 1 lb (500 g ) mushrooms, sliced
- 1½ cups (375 ml) brown and wild rice mixture, rinsed (see Tip)
- 1 cup (250 ml) dried cranberries
- 3 cups (750 ml) lower-salt chicken broth
- Grated zest and juice of 1 orange
- 3 lbs ( 1/5 kg) skinless bone-in chicken thighs (about 12 thighs)
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) butter
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
- 1 cup (250 ml) fresh whole wheat bread crumbs
- 2 tbsp (25 ml) toasted sliced almonds
- In a skillet, heat oil over medium heat for 30 seconds. Add onions and cook, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic, sage, peppercorns and salt and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add mushrooms and stir to coat. Add rice and stir to coat. Stir in cranberries. Add broth, orange zest and juice and bring to a boil. (You should have 4 cups/1l of liquid in total. Squeeze the orange juice into a 1 cup/250 ml measure and add broth to make up the 1 cup/250 ml, if necessary.)
- Spoon half the rice mixture evenly over bottom of prepared slow cooker stoneware. Arrange chicken pieces evenly over top. Cover with remaining rice mixture.
- Place two clean tea towels, each folded in half (so you will have four layers), over top of stoneware to absorb moisture. Cover and cook on Low for 6 hours or on High for 3 hours, until juices run clear when chicken is pierced with a fork.
- Topping: In a skillet, heat butter and oil over medium heat. Add bread crumbs and toss until evenly coated. Cook, stirring, until golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in almonds. Spoon evenly over cooked rice and serve immediately.
- Mindful Morsels:
- Cranberries (along with cherries, blueberries and other red, purple and blue fruits) are particularly good sources of anthocyanins and other antioxidants that protect all cells in the body.
- Make Ahead: This dish can be partially prepared before it is cooked. Complete Step 1. Cover and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, continue with the recipe.