Healthy Crock Pot Tex-Mex Chicken Recipe (2024)

Easy crock pot Tex-Mex shredded chicken for those busy days where you don’t want to cook but still want a healthy meal. Throw in your ingredients, turn on your slow cooker, and forget it the rest of the day. Come home to tacos, burritos, enchiladas… whatever your style.

Healthy Crock Pot Tex-Mex Chicken Recipe (2)

Healthy Crock Pot Tex-Mex Chicken Recipe

Keep reading for the recipe.

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Who loves an easy and delicious slow cooker recipe?

I threw this crock pot chicken together the other day when I was on dinner duty. I knew that I could wrap it up in a burrito for my kids, while my wife and I added it to our salad.

This Crock Pot Tex-Mex Chicken is made with chicken breast, salsa, beans, corn, and other toppings to make this dish amazing and so good for you. It’s a perfect dinner for the whole family and an awesome post-workout meal. It’s loaded with protein and fiber, which fills you up without weighing you down.

It’s also great served over rice, eaten with chips, or even just as is.

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Healthy Crock Pot Tex-Mex Chicken Recipe (4)

CAN YOU OVERCOOK CHICKEN IN A SLOW COOKER?

You can overcook anything in a slow cooker if you cook it too long. Once chicken is fully cooked it starts to dry out no matter how much liquid you add to the slow cooker.

The best way to cook chicken in a slow cooker is on low for about 3-6 hours, cooking it on high will cause it to dry out a lot faster. If you have the time and can plan ahead accordingly, it is best to take a little extra time and always cook chicken on the low setting. If you need to cook it longer than 3-6 hours, you might want to use bone-in chicken breast, chicken thigh, or other cuts that retain moisture better and can handle longer cooking times without drying out.

HOW MUCH CHICKEN CAN I EAT PER DAY?

Chicken is a high-quality source of protein containing all the essential amino acids your body needs to repair and build strong muscle and body tissue. It is a healthy food and a great way to get protein.

Most healthy adults need about 6-8 servings of protein foods per day (overall about 50-70 grams of protein). One chicken breast is usually equal to 3 servings of protein. Aim for no more than 3 servings of chicken per day (one chicken breast) and try not to eat chicken as your main source of protein every single day. Your body needs a variety in what types of meat you eat each week. Choose a combination of poultry, meat, and fish, as well as plant sources of protein.

When you do eat chicken, choose healthy cooking methods. Choose to grill, bake, broil, or slow-cook your chicken instead of frying it in unhealthy fats.

ARE CANNED BEANS HEALTHY?

This recipe uses 2 cans of beans, pinto and black beans. Canned beans can be very helpful and affordable, but are they good for you? Most people assume that canned foods are not as healthy because they are processed. Processing methods such as canning does cause some nutrient loss, but it is fairly minimal and the rest of the nutrients are preserved over longer periods of time.

Because of related health risks, it’s common for many consumers to steer clear of canned foods due to the high sodium content. Look for ‘no salt added’ or low-sodium canned beans, ordecrease the sodium content of canned foods by draining and rinsing with water. Soaking or rinsing canned beans in water can decrease the sodium content by as much as half.

Canned beans can still be a healthy choice, especially if you need a quick meal. With canned beans you are still getting plenty of nutrients, 7 grams of protein, 8 grams of fiber, and 109 calories per 1/2 cup plus some folate and fiber. Just do your best to reduce the sodium.

Crock Pot Tex-Mex Chicken
Ingredients:
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast (could also use thighs)
1 (16 oz) jar salsa (or a batch of my homemade salsa)
1 (15 oz) can black beans (rinsed and drained)
1 (15 oz) can pinto beans (rinsed and drained)
1 (15 oz) can corn, drained
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 medium onion, diced
1 (14.5) oz can fat-free chicken broth
1 (1 oz) packet taco seasoning (or my homemade taco seasoning)
green onions for garnish (optional)
reduced-fat shredded cheese for garnish (optional)

Directions:
Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Place chicken breasts in crock pot.
Pour the rest of the ingredients into the slow cooker (except for the green onions and cheese if you are using them as a garnish) and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
Remove chicken breasts and shred with two forks. Place back in slow cooker and mix with other ingredients.
Serve as desired (burrito filling, enchilada filling, quesadilla style, on a salad, etc).

Makes 5-6 servings.

Recipe inspired by SkinnyTaste.

Hope you enjoyed this chicken recipe. Looking for more healthy recipes?

Check out these ones:

The Best (and Easiest!) Grilled Chicken

Healthy Crock Pot Tex-Mex Chicken Recipe (5)

Garlic and Parmesan Zucchini

Skinny Enchiladas

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Make it happen,

Jared

Healthy Crock Pot Tex-Mex Chicken Recipe (9)

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By Jared Beckstrand

Healthy Crock Pot Tex-Mex Chicken Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is it healthy to cook chicken in a crock pot? ›

It all comes down to the temperature and the timing. "It is safe to cook a frozen chicken in a slow cooker," Quin Patton, a food scientist formerly with PepsiCo, told TODAY. "You just need to make sure the internal temperature gets up to 165 degrees at some point during the cooking process."

Do you need to put liquid in the slow cooker when cooking chicken? ›

Adding some liquid to the slow cooker is an essential step, and ensures that the chicken is tender and juicy.

Why is my chicken rubbery in the crock pot? ›

In addition, chicken breast has less fat and can become dry (chewy or rubbery) if cooked for too long. Without moisture, the protein fibers in the chicken become elastic. Included with each meal is a set of instructions to help you cook the meals.

How do I keep chicken from drying out in the crockpot? ›

Using a nice, long, low-and-slow cook time helps chicken breasts retain plenty of moisture - but you can certainly opt to add a splash of water or chicken stock to the crockpot if you like!

Can I put raw chicken in the crockpot? ›

Yes, you can put raw chicken in a slow cooker! Slow cookers and Crock-Pots are designed to cook raw meats. The direct heat from the pot, lengthy cooking time and steam created from the tightly covered container destroys bacteria, making slow cooking safe. You can put frozen chicken in a slow cooker, too!

Is it better to cook crockpot chicken on high or low? ›

We found that the only way to cook chicken (and turkey) in a slow cooker is on the low setting and for a relatively short amount of time.

What happens if not enough liquid in slow cooker? ›

Not adding enough liquid can lead to burning.

"It's important to add enough liquid to ensure the bottom of your dish doesn't burn." If your meal does burn, the chef said to avoid scraping the bottom of the pot while stirring and serving because it can give the entire dish a burnt flavor.

Can chicken overcook in slow cooker? ›

Can I overcook chicken in a slow cooker? Yes, but the solution is extremely simple. Follow the recipe and manufacturer cooking time guidelines to ensure your chicken comes out juicy and tender every time. Chicken thighs take much longer to overcook in a slow cooker, so try them if you need a foolproof cut.

How long does crockpot chicken take? ›

With the exception of larger recipes (like 8+ servings), It only takes 2.5-3.5 hours on LOW for boneless, skinless chicken breast to be fully cooked in the slow cooker.

Why are my potatoes still hard in the crockpot? ›

Insufficient Liquid: If there wasn't enough liquid in the crockpot, it could have caused uneven cooking. Potatoes need to be fully submerged in liquid to cook evenly. Old Potatoes: Very old or stored potatoes can become starchy and may not soften as well during cooking. It's best to use fresh, firm potatoes.

Does chicken get more tender the longer you cook it? ›

Unlike chicken breasts, chicken thighs and drumsticks actually become more tender the longer they cook. That's because of their makeup. Dark meat has an abundant amount of connective tissue, which dissolves into gelatin as the meat cooks, rendering it juicy and tender.

Why is my chicken hard to shred in the crockpot? ›

It's likely that it hasn't cooked long enough to shred. While chicken breasts are often cooked through in just 2 hours on low, I like to let them cook a little longer if I plan to shred them so that they are fall-apart tender. How do I keep chicken from drying out in the slow cooker? Don't overcook!

Should you rinse chicken before putting in crockpot? ›

However, washing raw poultry, beef, pork, lamb or veal before cooking it is not recommended. Bacteria in raw meat and poultry juices can be spread to other foods, utensils and surfaces. We call this cross-contamination.

Do you have to brown chicken before putting in a slow cooker? ›

"Browning, or caramelizing, meat before putting it into a slow cooker isn't 100 percent necessary, but it is well worth the effort for the most flavorful and full-bodied end result," he says. "The caramelized surface of the meat will lend rich flavor and color to the finished dish."

What can I put on chicken so it doesn't dry out? ›

Brine. Like a marinade, a brine helps chicken breast soak up as much moisture as possible before cooking.

Is cooking in a crock pot healthy? ›

The direct heat from the pot, lengthy cooking and steam created within the tightly-covered container combine to destroy bacteria and make the slow cooker a safe process for cooking foods.

Is crock pot cooking healthier? ›

Speaking of nutrients, meals prepared in your slow cooker are likely a healthier alternative to many convenience foods and take-out meals. These homemade slow cooked meals are great ways to combine veggies, whole grains, low-fat dairy and lean proteins.

Is using a slow cooker healthier? ›

A slow cooker can help with eating healthily, as this way of cooking doesn't need much (if any) fat, which can help to lower the calorie content. It also intensifies flavours – which is helpful when cutting down on salt.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a crockpot? ›

While there are some disadvantages to using a slow cooker, such as the risk of overcooking food or forgetting to turn it off, these generally pale in comparison to the benefits. For busy families or those who enjoy coming home to a hot meal, a slow cooker can be a great addition to any kitchen.

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