Description
Spicy slow cooker fajita salsa chicken brings Mexican-inspired comfort to weeknight dinners with minimal effort. Tender shredded meat swimming in bold, zesty sauce delivers maximum flavor you can savor over rice, in tacos, or wrapped in warm tortillas.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (0.9 kg) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 (16 oz/454 g) jar of favorite salsa (chunky or smooth)
- 1 packet fajita seasoning (or 2 tablespoons homemade fajita mix)
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow onion, sliced
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil (optional, for richer flavor)
- Juice of 1 lime
- Optional chopped cilantro
- Optional shredded cheese
- Optional sour cream
- Optional avocado for serving
Instructions
- Layering Foundation: Arrange chicken at the base of the slow cooker, ensuring even distribution.
- Seasoning Infusion: Generously coat chicken with fajita seasoning, creating a robust flavor profile.
- Vegetable Integration: Strategically layer sliced bell peppers and onions atop the seasoned chicken.
- Moisture Enhancement: Cascade salsa and lime juice over the ingredients, drizzling olive oil for additional richness.
- Slow Cooking Process: Seal the slow cooker and allow chicken to tenderize on low heat for 6-7 hours or high heat for 3-4 hours until fully cooked.
- Texture Transformation: Utilize two forks to meticulously shred the chicken, then thoroughly incorporate all components within the aromatic sauce.
- Serving Suggestions: Present the versatile fajita chicken in tacos, nestled over rice or cauliflower rice, or accompanied by crisp tortilla chips and creamy guacamole.
Notes
- Select crisp, vibrant bell peppers for maximum flavor and color in your dish.
- Coat chicken evenly with fajita seasoning to ensure consistent taste throughout the meat.
- Don’t overload with salsa; add just enough to keep chicken juicy without making it watery.
- Swap chicken for tofu or plant-based protein to create a vegetarian version, and use gluten-free salsa for those with dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg