Have you ever made one of those nice photo books? Well I got a groupon like 4 months ago for one of those photo book companies and the deadline was the Feb 18th. I procrastinated working on my book until 4 days before and that was a mistake. Those take forever to make if you want it perfect. It also adds stress when the site is super slow from all the other procrastinators on the site at the same time. Well, I finished my book at 11:40pm. Just in time! I did freak out a little when I went to my Living Social account to get the code and it said it expired already. Luckily it still worked though! Next time I will NOT procrastinate! Promise!
Well If you have been working on something forever and haven’t had time to think about dinner (like me) or maybe you’re just tired and don’t want to be in the kitchen, this is the recipe for you! It takes less then 10 minutes of your time in the kitchen and you probably have almost all the ingredients on hand. Oh, and you don’t have to thaw the meat! YAY! The recipe calls for canned corn (because I always have that on hand) but you can also use 1 1/2 cups frozen corn. Also, I always have rotel tomatoes (with chilies) but you could do a can of diced tomatoes and a can of green chilies. If you don’t have fresh cilantro, use dried. And if you don’t have taco seasoning on hand you can head over here to my friend Paige and make your own taco seasoning. This is supposed to be easy so make it work for YOU!
Seriously though, this is so easy because it takes all of 5 minutes to throw it in the pot! And since it is cooked in the crock-pot the chicken stays moist and is so incredibly tender. This is my go to meal when I am busy or just not feeling up to cooking. So I make this like every month.
Oh and I have to mention how healthy it is! I mean how could it not be since it’s just veggies, beans, and chicken (lean meat)!? And check out the protein! 22 grams! And 5 grams of fiber! AND only 2 grams of fat! …leaves room for sour cream, cheese, and avocado! 🙂 You can put this Crock-pot Mexican Chicken in a tortilla with some rice and yummy toppings for under 500 calories. There you have it! An easy, tasty, healthy, and filling meal that the whole family will LOVE!
Crock-Pot Mexican Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 15 ounce can corn, drained
- 6-8 chicken tenders, frozen (or 2 large chicken breasts)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 10 ounce can tomatoes with chilies (Rotel)
- 1 15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup packed cilantro, chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
Instructions
- Grease bottom of crock-pot with cooking spray.
- Spread corn into the bottom of the pot and lay chicken on top. Sprinkle chicken with taco seasoning. Layer on tomatoes and then black beans.
- Cook on low for 3-4 hours.
- When done, shred chicken with two forks (it will fall apart easily).
- Mix in cilantro and lime juice.
- Serve in tortillas with rice, cheese, sour cream, and salsa.
Recipe Source: adapted from cookbook “365 Day of Slow-Cooking” by Karen Bellessa Petersen (canned corn instead of frozen, more chicken and chicken tenders instead of chicken breasts, Rotel tomatoes instead of salsa and green chilies, rice added, toppings added, lime added, less cooking time)
{Pictures update and nutrition facts added on 5/2/14}
Paige
February 20, 2014 at 11:39 amThis looks super yummy! Thanks for the shout out! I think this will have to become a regular weeknight meal for us!
Judi
February 20, 2014 at 12:46 pmMy girls just did the same thing last Saturday. They had received a Shutterfly coupon in the mail with an American Girl order. A free “American Girl” photo book. They were scrambling to gather photos of their dolls and to get their book together before the coupon expired. I must say I went to bed! But they got it done! Glad you managed to finish yours too!
Chicken hasn’t been something I can stomach this pregnancy very well but I am sure it will pass. I love corn and black beans and then add cilantro you just can’t beat those flavors!
Melanie
February 20, 2014 at 2:48 pmThat’s so fun! I loved American Girl dolls.
Your pregnancy isn’t sounding so fun. I hope your aversion passes!
Meri
September 14, 2014 at 11:06 pmThis is a family favorite now! We just ate it again this last week! Oh sooo good!
Melanie
September 15, 2014 at 7:55 amDefinitely a family friendly meal! Glad it’s made it to the top of your list! 🙂 Thanks Meri!
Aimee Payne
October 2, 2014 at 11:06 pmIf you don’t drain the cans it makes a delicious soup 🙂
Melanie
October 3, 2014 at 11:00 amGood idea Aimee! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Lori
April 19, 2018 at 9:23 pmReally good! I used 3 chicken breasts and frozen corn (personal preference) AND I did use entire pkg of Taco seasoning. Served over cilantro rice and on Cinco de Maya, serving on Mission Street Tacos for a work “pot luck” lunch.
Yummy!
Maggie Unzueta
August 21, 2018 at 12:41 amMy mouth is watering. I want to eat that!
Shari
September 17, 2018 at 2:21 pmI just finished A double batch of this recipe and it’s in the crockpot in it’s first hour ! I’ll let you know how it turns out! I drained the corn and the black beans, but not the chili and tomato cans because it didn’t say to in the recipe. I hope it’s not soupy like Aimee said. Thanks for an easy recipe that sounds delicious. Cooking is not my forte so I appreciate recipes I can handle!
Liz Ofstad
September 27, 2018 at 6:18 pmSuper easy and super delicious.
Melanie
October 5, 2018 at 9:52 pmGlad you liked it Liz! 🙂
Helen Brewer
October 10, 2018 at 7:16 amSuper yummy!
Kay
October 24, 2018 at 8:20 pmDirections state mix cilantro and lime juice and do you mix it with the cooked chicken or allow the person to use as much as he or she wants with his kr her dish?
Melanie
October 25, 2018 at 6:11 pmI just mix it in but if you know there are some who don’t like those then you can just have it on the side for people to add.
Kosh
December 4, 2018 at 7:28 amI made this yesterday and it turned out wonderful! Thanks for the great recipe.
Lisa
February 3, 2019 at 10:19 amSo this is cooked on low the whole time? I kept thinking it said high, then double checking myself! Going on today, looking forward to it! Thanks in advance
Melanie
February 14, 2019 at 8:54 amYes! Low the whole time.
Trisha Webb
March 24, 2019 at 11:52 amLove this recepie! A house full of men it doesn’t last! Thanks for sharing!
Melanie
March 27, 2019 at 10:30 pmI’m so happy to hear it’s a hit at your house! Thanks for the review Trisha! 🙂
Joanna
April 4, 2019 at 12:07 pmIs it okay if the chicken breasts are refrigerated instead of frozen?
Melanie
April 10, 2019 at 3:47 pmYes! Since a chicken breast is a lot thicker than tenders it will take about 4 hours still and even that can vary depending on how your slow cooker heats.