Crockpot Southwest Chicken is a great all-purpose chicken recipe to have up your sleeve. Use chicken to make burritos, burrito bowls, tacos, tostadas and more!
As much as I love cooking, I have a recipe blog, after all! — I love when a base recipe can be reused throughout the week to create multiple meals
.
Take this Southwestern Crockpot chicken recipe, for example. You can put it over rice and garnish it with sour cream and cilantro on day 1, then reuse leftovers to make tacos or burritos on day 2, and so on.
Cook once, eat twice! How good is that
? Although if I’m
totally honest, I usually don’t enjoy eating leftovers. That’s why I prefer to make “new” dishes with them so you don’t feel like I’m eating the same thing over and over again!
Did I mention how easy this Crockpot chicken recipe is? It’s essentially a slow-cooked chicken sauce recipe that has been loaded with beans, corn, and bell pepper for even more texture and flavor in every bite.
Ingredients at
Ingredients atCrockpot
Southwest Chicken
If you’re looking for easy Crockpot chicken breast recipes, look no further! This southwestern chicken mostly uses canned or frozen ingredients, so you can buy them ahead of time to have on hand for busy weeks.
Here’s what goes into Southwestern chicken:
- Black beans
- broth
- Diced tomatoes with green peppers
- Red pepper Boneless
- skinless chicken breasts Sauce
- in jars
- Corn (fresh, frozen, or canned
- Spices (salt, pepper, garlic powder, and ground cumin)
Chicken
,
)
Can I use chicken thighs instead?
Yes, you can use 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts, if desired.
How to make Crockpot
Southwest Chicken
This is one of the easiest Crockpot chicken recipes you’ve ever made! It is a simple throwaway and cook recipe that does not require childcare.
Here’s a look at how Southwestern chicken is made:
Add the beans, broth, tomatoes, peppers, chicken,
- salsa, corn, and seasonings to a slow-cooker
- Cover and simmer for 3-4 hours, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 ° F
- and crumble with two forks; Return it to the slow cooker to heat it.
.
. Remove the chicken from the slow cooker
How to Serve Southwest Chicken
On this
particular day, I put the Crockpot southwest chicken over portions of rice and garnished the plate with a spoonful of sour cream, fresh cilantro and a splash of lemon juice.
Other ways to serve chicken include:
In tacos In burritos or
- burrito bowls
- (or this baked enchilada!)
- In taquitos
- On top of toast
In enchiladas
Or, just serve the chicken salsa crumbled with a side of Mexican rice and to call it a day!
Can Southwestern chicken be frozen?
Yes! Cooked and shredded chicken freezes incredibly well. Let it cool to room temperature, then seal inside freezer containers or freezer bags, making sure to press the excess air first.
When you’re ready to eat frozen chicken, thaw overnight in the fridge before gently reheating on the stove
. Can this recipe be made on the stove?
Possibly, but I’ve only tried this recipe on my Crockpot as I wanted an easy meal that I could prepare and forget
.
However, I based this recipe on my Southwestern chicken and rice bowls, and have made that recipe on the stove several times.
Tips for the best slow cooker chicken
- Chicken only needs to be cooked for 3 to 4 hours over low heat. Be careful not to overcook it, as that would result in dry, chewy chicken.
- I prefer to use low-sodium chicken broth and add extra salt to taste. That way, I can control the amount of salt in the final dish.
- I garnished my plate with fresh cilantro, sour cream, and grated cheese, but the lemon juice, hot sauce, and crushed tortilla chips would also be great additions.
Looking for easier crockpot chicken breast recipes
? Slow Cooker
- BBQ Pulled
- Teriyaki
- Slow Cooker Chicken Omelette Soup
Chicken Slow Cooker
Chicken Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
EASY VIDEO TUTORIAL FOR CROCKPOT SOUTHWEST CHICKEN:
