This Ginger Plum Chicken recipe was made in an interesting low tech version of a slow cooker called a Wonderbag. While it could also be readily made in a traditional electric slow cooker, I encourage you to learn about the Wonderbag below. It is useful, energy saving, portable and helps others!
Ginger Plum Chicken Recipe: results
I am extremely fussy about chicken thighs, so the fact I enjoyed this Ginger Plum Chicken recipe is sort of a big deal. If not cooked properly, I find them downright revolting. I decided to stew the thighs in a dried plum sauce with ginger (yes, dried plums are prunes... but use the word prune and people wrinkle up their noses at you with visions of old ladies and regularity). Well, low and behold, the chicken came out fantastic. The stuff that needs to be dissolved did, the chicken broke apart easily, but wasn't dry & the sauce was rich and flavorful.
What is a Wonderbag?
I was recently introduced to a new way of slow cooking, from a brand with a both a social and environmental conscious. It is called the Wonderbag
, and rather than constantly generating low heat to cook and tenderize, it uses insulative technology to preserve existing heat to do the job. This not only saves energy, but makes the process of cooking itself portable. Once you complete a short initial cooking time, the covered pot
is safely tucked into the Wonderbag and snugged close with a latched drawstring. Slow cooking in a Wonderbag is so easy.
This slow cooker process appealed to me, since I am fond of browning meat a bit before braising for added flavor. By the time I've browned and deglazed meat in my Dutch oven
, I am not about to then dump the contents into an appliance to cook further (I'm not that fond of doing dishes), so I typically end out just simmering it on the stove top. Now, with the Wonderbag
I can cook in my style, not dirty anything extra, save energy and get great slow cooker results.
Not only can I slow cook in this pretty bag, but I can take it on the road. How convenient to spend a few minutes getting a meal started, pop it into the Wonderbag
and bring it along with you to whip out a freshly cooked hot meal for friends or family when you reach your destination. No need for plugs. No need to worry about spilling or making a mess, the pot's lid is secured in the snugly tied bag & it's wide base is unlikely to budge, even if you slam on the brakes (but let's not do that).
This is perfect to help prepare for storm related power outages, and would be a great for bringing meals to friends who are grieving or have a seriously ill family member, as they have a long window of time to open it for a hot & ready meal.
Making Ginger Plum Chicken in Standard Slow Cooker
While the recipe below was created for the Wonderbag, it can easily be made in the slow cooker you already have as well. Simply brown ingredients as instructed then place in slow cooker on low for 4-6 hours to get tender, sticky and delicious!
Ginger Plum Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 strips bacon center cut or trimmed
- 1 cup onion chopped
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 cup diced prunes
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne
- 1 tbs oil
- 1 ½ lbs boneless chicken thighs trimmed & cut into approx 3x3" chunks
- ½ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 tbs low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tbs honey
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions
- Place dutch oven or pot over med-high heat. Chop the bacon into small bits and drop into pan. Once it starts brown and render fat, add the onion and garlic. Stir.
- Once the onion and garlic are cooked add the prunes, ginger, cinnamon and cayenne, cook for a minute, then reserve to a bowl and set aside.
- Pour the oil into pan (still on med-high), then drop chicken into pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes until starting to brown, then flip and cook another 3 minutes.
- Add the remaining ingredients to pan, stir to deglaze, and add the bacon/prune mixture back to pan, stir and bring to a boil. Reduce to low-med and cook for 5 minutes, then take off burner and seal up in Wonderbag or dump into an electric slow cooker.
- Allow to slow cook for 4 hours, then serve over rice or pull the chicken and serve in sandwiches.
Liz says
This is completely fascinating! It actually stays at a temperature high enough to not keep bacteria growth away? That's crazy cool.
Robin Gagnon says
Yes, I was surprised, but it really did work!
Anne says
I've never seen such a thing! What a cool way to cook!
Jenn says
How innovative! The Wonderbag would be perfect for potlucks, picnics, etc. Also I'd like to have one for preparedness purposes.
Kelly @ A Girl Worth Saving says
Wow, this is pretty crazy. Even reading this I'm like, how the heck does that work? Love your recipe 🙂
Robin Gagnon says
I just realized... it's pretty close to Paleo. Though cave people didn't have soy sauce, so close but no cigar I guess...lol.
Marcie W. says
The Wonderbag looks super neat and I would love to give it a try. I'm sure my slow cooker would appreciate the break.
Angela says
What an amazing invention! I can think of so many things to cook with the Wonderbag!!
Donna says
How cool is that! I'm going to have to get the Wonderbag. And try your recipe!
Kelsey Apley says
Very neat! I have never heard of a Wonderbag or the Ginger Plum Chicken! Learned two new things today!!!
Paula @ Frosted Fingers says
That sounds like an amazing product! I want to try one for myself! Maybe I'll put it on my Christmas list. That recipe sounds delicious, too!!
Jennifer @TheRebelChick says
I just heard about Wonderbags last month, they seem really cool. Your recipe looks delicious! I pinned it!
Kathy says
I doubt if I'll purchase a wonderbag since I'm trying to purge a lot of my stuff. How long do you think this would cook in a crock pot or even in the oven.
Robin Gagnon says
I would guess a similar amount of time on low, but honestly, as I mentioned in the post, I rarely used Crock Pots.
Penelope (NYC Blogger) says
This is clever! I actually like to brown before too, and it frustrates me that this leads to extra dirty dishes.
Heather Przybyla says
This is such a nifty way to cook and the recipe looks delicious!
Robyn Thompson says
oh , wow! What an interesting thing. Never heard of it but i am going to look it up 🙂
The recipe sounds so good!
Julie says
This is, quite possibly, the coolest thing I've ever seen. Thanks for sharing! I'm paranoid about leaving my slow cooker on while I'm at work, but this could solve that problem!
Katrina says
We used to do this when I lead canoe out trips but would use our lifejackets for insulation. This is such a better idea. I bet it would pack down nice too to take camping. Plus it is so much prettier and you do not have to wait for dinner to go out in the canoe again 🙂
Marina says
What an awesome concept and I love how deliciously done that dish looks.
(I'd love to try the Wonderbag with my Indian cooking and see how it fares.)
Karen Coutu says
That is amazing! I've never heard of this product. And, I'm drooling over the chicken. I love plum sauce!!!
Henrietta says
This is really neat, I've never heard of it before! I can see it as a great gift for folks who like to camp or tail gate! That chicken looks amazing!
Kimberly says
This looks really neat. I've never heard of it.
Vanessa: thequeenofswag says
This looks delish! I've never tried chicken like this.
courtney says
This sounds delicious but WOW on the way you cooked it. literally blown away and need to get one! 🙂
Shell Feis says
I love that they donate one for every purchase! That seems like such a cool way to cook! &That recipe looks amazing!
Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins says
What an interesting concept and that dish looks amazing!
Stefanie says
That's totally unique!