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Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken and Peppers

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  • Author: Deb Belsha
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 hours
  • Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Slow Cooker
  • Cuisine: Mexican-American

Description

With just a few simple ingredients, this Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken and Peppers is a delicious Mexican-inspired recipe full of flavor. The chicken comes out incredibly fork-tender. And the salsa adds just the right amount of zesty spiciness as you can choose a mild, medium or hot salsa.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2.5 pounds boneless chicken thighs
  • 1.0 pound boneless chicken breast *
  • 16 ounce jar medium spicy salsa
  • 12 ounces mini peppers, seeds and stem removed, sliced in half
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • Jalapeno relish for topping, optional

Instructions

  1. Combine seasonings.  Pat chicken dry with paper towels.  Press spices onto top and bottom.
  2. If your slow cooker has a "sear" button, preheat it for a few minutes.  Spray bottom with some non-stick cooking spray. Brown chicken for 1-2 minutes per side.
  3. If using a skillet, preheat on medium, spray with non-stick cooking spray and brown 1-2 minutes per side.
  4. Set chicken aside on a plate.  Add peppers to the bottom of slow cooker.
  5. Add chicken back in and pour salsa over top.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours, 1 1/2 hours on high.  Test with a meat thermometer and chicken should read at least 165°F.  Sprinkle some jalapeno relish over top if desired.
  7. Serve the chicken over rice.  Pour some of the juices over rice and chicken.

Notes

*You don't have to use the chicken breast if you want to just use thighs.  We had a family member that preferred the white meat.

*Don't lift the lid until the time set for chicken to be done.  The temperature will lower and may increase cooking time.

*You can cook the chicken an hour longer and it will soften and allow it to be shredded, if that is how you want to serve.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 359
  • Sugar: 3.8g
  • Sodium: 588mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Carbohydrates: 7.2g
  • Fiber: 2.3g
  • Protein: 55g
  • Cholesterol: 232mg