Alfredo Chicken Stew

Even though Spring is finally arriving we still have some cold weather that reminds me how much I love cold weather food.  You know the stuff I'm talking about, hearty, rich, and tasty dishes that "stick to your ribs," and warm you from the inside out.  Last we had a few cold and rainy days and I decided that I had better take advantage of them and make at least one last cold weather dish. 
After going through a few recipes I decided a chicken stew would be a perfect choice, only it needed a twist.  I saw a recipe on the Betty Crocker website that used Alfredo sauce with chicken and veggies to make a thick soup, the best part was that it was made in the crockpot--BINGO!  After simmering away all afternoon, a rich, cheesy, flavorful stew emerged that hit that cold weather spot.  It might be the last chance for cold weather food until next fall, but this definitely won't be the last time I make this simple stew!  Serve it with a simple green salad and divine breadsticks for a great meal.

Alfredo Chicken Stew
Recipe Source: A Cook's Quest, inspired by Betty Crocker

1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken (thighs or breasts), cut into strips
4 cups diced potatoes
1/2 cup diced onion
1 jar of your favorite Alfredo sauce (or you can make your own)
1 tsp Italian Seasoning (or you can make your own with basil, oregano and parsley)
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 c parmesean cheese
2 cups frozen broccoli

Combine sauce, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder in a small bowl.

Layer chicken, then poatoes, onion and the sauce in your crockpot.  Repeat layers ending with your sauce.  Top with the cheese and cook 4-6 hours on high heat or 6-8 hours on low or until your chicken is cooked through and your potatoes are tender.  During the last 30 minutes, add the broccoli and allow to cook until fork tender.

**If you want a soup, add 1 cup of chicken stock to thin the stew.

Total Cost $2.25
Chicken-Free (I used catalina's to buy a ton of Chicken a few weeks ago and got it free)
Potatoes- $.30 (local produce is very cheap!)
Onion- $.20 (again, local produce)
Alfredo Sauce- $.75 (sale item with coupons)
Cheese- $.50
Broccoli- $.50 (sale item, with coupons)