Crock Pot Fiesta Chicken

Fiesta chicken is a flavorful dish inspired by the vibrant and festive nature of Mexican cuisine.

Bold and zesty ingredients come together to create a blend of savory, tangy, and slightly spicy flavors that infuse into the chicken to create a taste that's like a party in your mouth!

Ranch seasoning brings a tangy and herby note, while the taco seasoning adds a savory kick. The combination of black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and green chilies adds layers of texture and flavor, giving the chicken sweetness and heat. As the chicken slow-cooks in the crock pot, it soaks up all the deliciousness from the seasonings and ingredients perfectly.

Using a crock pot is the best way to achieve maximum flavor in this easy chicken recipe. Slow cooking allows the chicken to become incredibly tender, absorbing all the incredible flavors from the spices in a way that can't be achieved with other cooking methods.

The best part is the crock pot does all the work for you! Just layer the ingredients, set the cooking time, and let it do its magic while you go about your day. Once it's done cooking, you'll have a bold and zesty protein that is great for serving with hearty rice to round out the meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Fiesta chicken is made with simple ingredients you can find at any grocery store, allowing you to whip it up any day of the week.
• It's a versatile dish that allows you to get creative with your serving options. Whether you choose to enjoy it over a bed of fluffy rice, wrapped in warm tortillas, or as a topping for crispy nachos, the possibilities are endless.
• With just a few minutes of prep, you can set it and forget it, allowing the slow cooker to work its magic.
• Fiesta Chicken is perfect for gatherings and parties but is also quick and easy enough to serve on a busy weeknight when you need something flavorful and satisfying.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast - Provides a lean and tender protein base for the dish, absorbing the flavors of the seasonings and other ingredients.
• Diced Yellow Onion - Adds a savory and slightly sweet flavor.
• Ranch Seasoning Mix - This flavorful blend of herbs, spices, and buttermilk powder adds a tangy and herby taste, infusing the chicken and other ingredients with a delightful ranch-inspired flavor.
• Taco Seasoning - Brings a savory, smoky, and slightly spicy kick to the dish, adding to its Mexican flair.
• Canned Black Beans - Add a hearty and creamy texture to the dish, while their earthy flavor complements the chicken and other ingredients.
• Canned Whole Kernel Corn -Sweet and juicy kernels of corn provide a burst of natural sweetness and a pleasant crunch.
• Canned Diced Tomatoes - Adds refreshing acidity and juiciness to the dish.
• Canned Green Chiles - Brings a subtle heat and a tangy taste, infusing the dish with a hint of spiciness.
• Black Pepper - Adds a touch of mild heat and earthiness.
• Minced Garlic - Gives a pungent and aromatic element that compliments the overall taste of the dish.
• Cream Cheese - Adds a creamy texture to the dish, providing richness and a slight tang while also helping to mellow out the flavors.

How To Make Fiesta Chicken In The Crock Pot

Prepare the chicken and onion: Trim any excess fat from the chicken breast. Pat both sides dry with paper towels. Dice the onion and evenly distribute it on the bottom of the crock pot and layer the chicken breast on top.

Assemble ingredients: Sprinkle ranch seasoning and taco seasoning over the top of the chicken. Pour black beans, corn, tomatoes, green chilies, black pepper, and garlic on top of the chicken. Then, place the cream cheese on top.

Cover and cook: Add the lid to the top and cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or LOW for 4-6 hours.

Shred and serve: Remove the cooked chicken from the crock pot. Shred with two forks or your favorite shredding method. Return the chicken to the crock pot with the rest of the ingredients and mix until combined. Serve over rice, tortillas, or nachos, and enjoy!

Recipe Tips & Substitutions

• To add an extra kick of heat, substitute the canned green chiles with diced jalapeños or chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
• Instead of using boneless skinless chicken breasts, you can use boneless skinless chicken thighs in this recipe.
• To make it vegetarian, swap the chicken breasts with an alternative like tofu, tempeh, or cauliflower florets. Adjust the cooking time accordingly, as plant-based proteins may require less time in the crock pot.
• Substitute the cream cheese with sour cream or Greek yogurt. This will add a tangy note while maintaining the desired creaminess. Add it towards the end of the cooking process, stirring it in until fully incorporated.
• Instead of shredding chicken with two forks, use a hand mixer on low speed to quickly shred the cooked chicken, or you can place the chicken in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and let it do the work for you.

Serving Suggestions

• Burrito Bowl: Start with a base of fluffy white or brown rice, then layer on the shredded Fiesta Chicken. Top it off with your favorite toppings like diced avocado, fresh cilantro, shredded cheese, and a squeeze of lime juice.
• Fiesta Chicken Tacos: Grab some warm corn or flour tortillas and fill them with cooked chicken. Add a sprinkle of shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, and a dollop of sour cream or guacamole.
• Nachos: Arrange the chips on a baking sheet, top them generously with the shredded chicken, and sprinkle on some shredded cheese. Bake until the cheese melts, then finish with diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, black olives, and a drizzle of salsa or queso sauce.
• Stuffed Bell Peppers: Cut the tops off bell peppers and remove the seeds. Fill each pepper with the Fiesta Chicken mixture, then bake in the oven until the peppers are tender and slightly charred. Sprinkle with shredded cheese and broil until melted.
• Quesadillas: Spread the Fiesta Chicken between two tortillas and sprinkle on some shredded cheese. Cook the quesadilla on a griddle or in a skillet until the cheese melts and the tortillas turn golden and crispy. Cut into wedges and serve with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.

Storing & Freezing

Storing: Once the Fiesta Chicken has cooled down, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Freezing: Allow the chicken to cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers or resealable freezer bags. Remove as much air as possible before sealing and label with the date. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating: Reheat it on the stovetop in a skillet or gently in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or water to prevent it from drying out. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating.

FAQ

Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe?

It is recommended to use thawed chicken breasts for this recipe to ensure even cooking and proper flavor absorption, as frozen chicken breasts will release too much moisture into the crock pot. Thaw the chicken breasts in the refrigerator overnight before using them in this recipe.

Can I substitute cream cheese with a dairy-free alternative?

Yes, you can substitute cream cheese with a dairy-free alternative such as vegan cream cheese or a cashew-based cream though the texture and flavor will be different than if using cream cheese.

Do I need to brown the chicken before adding it to the slow cooker?

No, you can add raw chicken to the crock pot for this recipe. This will allow the flavors to absorb so the texture becomes moist and tender, making it easier to shred.

More Mexican Inspired Crock Pot Chicken Dishes

• Crock Pot Salsa Chicken
• Crock Pot Chicken Taco Soup
• Crock Pot Chicken Enchilada Casserole
• Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

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