Slow Cooker Mexican-Style Chicken Breasts
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Chicken breasts are seasoned with some Mexican-style spices and sweet and hot chile peppers, along with tomatoes and cheese. Serve the slow-cooked chicken shredded or chopped in warm flour tortillas.
Feel free to use boneless chicken thighs in this dish instead of chicken breasts. I add taco seasoning to the chicken for spicy, taco flavor. Or use pepper jack or taco-seasoned shredded cheese.
We've included instructions for a quick and easy homemade salsa and basic fresh guacamole below the recipe.
See the tips and variations for more substitution and flavor ideas.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 to 4 boneless chicken breast halves (without skin, cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 1/2 cup onion (chopped)
- 1 green bell pepper (seeded and chopped, or use a red or yellow bell pepper)
- Optional: 1 to 2 small jalapeno peppers (finely chopped)
- 3 medium cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 can (4 ounces) mild chile peppers (chopped)
- 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) Mexican-style, chili style, or fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried leaf oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 cup shredded Mexican blend of cheeses or cheddar cheese
- Garnish:Â salsa (quick recipe for homemade salsa below)
- Garnish:Â guacamole (see basic guacamole, below)
- Garnish: sour cream
- Garnish:Â sliced green onions
- Garnish:Â diced tomatoes
- Garnish:Â shredded lettuce
- Garnish:Â sliced ripe olives
- Garnish:Â cilantro
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients.
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Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown chicken breasts. Remove and drain.
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In the same skillet, sauté onion, green bell pepper, garlic, and jalapeno pepper just until tender.
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Put the chicken breasts and onion mixture in the slow cooker.
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Add mild chile peppers, tomatoes, oregano, and cumin to the slow cooker; stir to combine.
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Cover and cook on LOW 6 to 8 hours (HIGH 3 to 4 hours).
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Serve with warm flour tortillas, shredded cheese, and salsa, along with your favorite toppings and condiments. Guacamole or sour cream would make a nice garnish with sliced green onions or diced tomatoes.
Quick Salsa: In a bowl, combine 2 cups of diced plum tomatoes with 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion, 1/4 cup of chopped cilantro, 1 clove of garlic, minced, 2 tablespoons of cider vinegar or lime juice, and a dash of sugar, or to taste. Add a few tablespoons of sliced green onions, if desired.
Basic Guacamole: Peel and remove the seeds in 2 medium ripe avocados. Chop the avocado and place in a bowl, mash until smooth. Add 1 tablespoon of lime juice, 1/2 cup of diced plum tomatoes, 2 to 3 tablespoons of finely chopped onion, and salt, to taste.
Tips and Variations
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Add 2 teaspoons of taco seasoning or burrito seasoning and omit the cumin.
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Replace all or some of the chicken breasts with boneless chicken thighs.
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