February 20, 2011

Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Chili



I have a soft spot for baked goods.  I think this fact is a little obvious by the majority of what I bake and post about here.  Give me some sugar and flour and I'm a happy camper.  However, I can enjoy a good salad or a perfectly roast chicken too, and I'd like to bring a little balance to my recipe box.  A quick look at my recipe box shows my main course selection as a tiny blip, compared to the ever increasing list of cakes, pies and cookies.

I must admit that I find my enthusiasm for making dinner dwindling, when I have to work around a husband who is just a tad picky.  There's only so many times a girl can make tacos or spaghetti before getting bored.  I refuse to give in though, and continually present my family with new dishes, hoping with fingers crossed that I have found an acceptable variable to throw into the weekly mix.  Sometimes my efforts are met with a thumbs down, but sometimes I'm given an astonishing thumps up.

This was the case when I came across a recipe I wanted to try.  I was looking for something healthy but flavorful, something that would fit in with our healthy eating attempts.  This dish is a hodgepodge of flavors that happens to work very well.  I adapted it a little to suit our tastes, and the result was a new favorite dish for my husband. I call that a success!  This Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Chili can be served over rice, tortilla chips, or you could even use it as a filling for a burrito. I bet it would make killer nachos too!


Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Chili 
(adapted from skinnytaste)
Prep: 5 min; Cook: 8 hr; Servings (1 cup): 8

1 onion, diced (optional)
1 8-oz can pinto beans
1 8-oz can kidney beans
1 8-oz can black beans
1 8-oz can tomato sauce
1 8-oz can corn
1 (14.5-oz) can diced tomatoes w/chilies
1 packet taco seasoning
1 tbsp cumin
1 tbsp chili powder (can reduce this amount for less spiciness)
2 garlic cloves, minced
3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 package shredded cheddar cheese

Combine beans, onion, corn, tomato sauce, cumin, chili powder, garlic, taco seasoning in crockpot. Place the chicken on top and cover. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 6-8 hours. Before serving, use a fork to shred the chicken, and stir to mix.

Serve over cooked rice and top with shredded cheddar cheese.

Tip: This is also great topped with fresh cilantro, sour cream, and jalapenos.  It keeps very well in the refrigerator and tastes even better the next day.  For additional flavor, squeeze a little fresh lime juice (to taste) into the meat and stir. Note: I buy chicken breasts that are naturally raised, so they tend to be on the small size. If your chicken breasts are large, you may only want to use 2-3 chicken breasts. Enjoy!

                   Amber


33 comments:

  1. I hear you on the picky eater! My husband can eat spaghetti day in and day out...don't know how he is not sick of them yet.

    I’ve never made chicken chili, but this sounds real tasty. And I do love the fact that it's made in the slow cooker!

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  2. Now this is just so beautiful! Looks extremely tasty..will try it!

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  3. What a beautiful dish sure to please anyone!

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  4. I'm saving this recipe for sure- I bet my family would love it! (And I love the fact that it's made in a slow cooker!)

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  5. I can only imagine how wonderful this makes your house smell. Looks fantastic!

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  6. What a fantastic and beautiful recipe for those busy on-the-go days and easy enough that even my teenager could through it in the slow cooker. Definitely a winner!

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  7. I am always looking for new things for my slow cooker. Thanks for sharing!

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  8. This looks delicious! I love slow cooker meals, especially when I'm busy at work and need a quick, easy meal when I come home.

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  9. Amber, that looks fantastic! I don't use my crock-pot enough, but am always looking for a reason to pull it out!

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  10. Like you I tend to feature a lot of baking on my blog. Thanks for giving me the inspiration to break out into other things. This looks so good and I'll be trying it soon.

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  11. Sounds interesting, may have to give this a try, thanks.

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  12. Adam's not so much picky as demanding. He'll eat most anything but it has to be good! I'm very sure this will more than satisfy him. Thanks for posting!

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  13. Amber, this looks fabulous!!! Winter just doesn't want to leave, so comfort food like this is extra appealing :)

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  14. I'm thinking my picky husband would like this one as well... and it might even pass the picky 14 year old boy who would like to live on burritos test! We're going to try it! But I know there is no way I can get a photo as nice as yours... really nicely done!

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  15. Hi Amber! I'm a huge fan of baking (as you know :-) But I'm not big into cooking (partially because I'm the picky one!) But this, my dear, looks delicious. Thank you for sharing your words and this recipe. And thank you for your kind thoughts on my own blog. I appreciate you!

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  16. I am so making this chicken chili this week, sounds great and sure looks good on that bed of rice. Thanks so much.

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  17. What a great recipe! Thanks for sharing!

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  18. This sounds awesome. Im always looking for ways to work more chicken into our weeknights. I can't wait to try this (I loooove anything with taco-themed flavors!)

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  19. You have such a pretty site! The taco chili looks amazing! Thank you for visiting mine.

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  20. This looks totally delicious. I love stuff like this. And it's so easy to make!

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  21. That chicken taco chili looks so tasty!

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  22. This is also great with hamburger and cooked on the stove! I tried it and LOVED it.

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  23. My friend made this last night and it was so tasty! Instead of using a slow cooker she just cooked it slowly in a pot on the stove. Yum!

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  24. Amy, I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

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  25. Great blog - I love the name and the pictures are gorgeous. I have this in the crock pot right now for New Year's guests tomorrow. Smells heavenly.

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  26. It's in the slow cooker right now, and I just had to have a taste - wow!! Yum! I added cilantro & lime juice, and I'll make it with rice and put sour cream on top. I realized I was running out of time for the slow cooker so I browned the chicken on the stove a bit first. Just to make sure we aren't eating at 10 pm lol :) Thx for sharing!

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  27. So gorgeous! I have been using my slow cooker quite a bit lately. I can't wait to give this a try. Thank you for sharing! PS: Love your dish!

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  28. do you cook the chicken first and then place it in the crock pot? or place it on top of everything raw?

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  29. I made this today and it was sooooooo good! I used hot rotel and added two diced jalapeƱos. My husband loved it too!

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  30. I cooked this today and it was so goooood! I used hot rotel and added two diced jalapeƱos. My hubby really loved it too!

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  31. I believe you used to have a white chicken chilli recipe on here and I cant find it anymore..did you take it down?

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  32. This was REALLY good, can you please give me the nutrition info on it?

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