Crock Pot Santa Fe Chicken: A Beginner’s Guide to a Flavorful, Easy Meal
🔥 Crock Pot Santa Fe Chicken is the ultimate hands-off, flavor-packed meal! Tender, juicy chicken slow-cooked with black beans, corn, tomatoes, and bold spices creates a hearty, delicious dish perfect for tacos, rice bowls, or burrito fillings. Effortless, comforting, and absolutely delicious! 🌽🍗🌶️
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 (15-ounce) can of black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 1 (10-ounce) can of diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 10 ounces enchilada sauce (you can use homemade or store-bought)
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 cup Mexican cheese blend (or any cheese you prefer)
Instructions
Step 1: Season the Chicken
Start by seasoning the chicken breasts on both sides with the taco seasoning. This will infuse the chicken with bold flavors, setting the stage for the entire dish. Be sure to coat the chicken evenly to ensure it absorbs all the seasoning.
Step 2: Add the Vegetables and Sauce to the Crock Pot
In the crock pot, combine the black beans, corn kernels, diced tomatoes with green chilies, green onions, and enchilada sauce. Stir everything together to make sure the ingredients are well mixed. This mixture is the base for your dish and will cook alongside the chicken, soaking up all the delicious flavors.
Step 3: Place the Chicken on Top
Now, place the seasoned chicken breasts on top of the vegetable and sauce mixture. It’s important to keep the chicken on top so it cooks evenly, staying juicy and tender as the crock pot works its magic.
Step 4: Set the Crock Pot to Low and Cook
Put the lid on the crock pot and set it to cook on low for 3-4 hours. This slow cooking time will allow the chicken to become perfectly tender, and all the flavors to meld together. Avoid lifting the lid too often during cooking, as this can cause the temperature to drop and extend the cooking time.
Step 5: Shred the Chicken
After the chicken has cooked for 3-4 hours, remove it from the crock pot. Use two forks to shred the chicken—this step should be very easy, as the chicken will be so tender it will fall apart effortlessly. Once shredded, return the chicken to the crock pot and stir everything together. This ensures that the chicken gets mixed in with all the flavorful sauce and veggies.
Step 6: Add the Cheese
Once the chicken is mixed back in, sprinkle the shredded Mexican cheese blend over the top of the chicken and vegetable mixture. Put the lid back on the crock pot for about 5 minutes to allow the cheese to melt and become gooey. This cheesy layer adds an extra touch of richness to the dish.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Now that everything is ready, it’s time to serve! The dish can be served in a variety of ways, which we’ll explore in the next section.
Notes
- What to Do If the Chicken Gets Too Dry
Chicken can sometimes dry out in the crock pot if it’s left in too long. If you find that your chicken is on the drier side, consider adding a bit more enchilada sauce or a splash of chicken broth to keep the dish moist. - How to Tell When the Chicken Is Done
To check if the chicken is cooked through, use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, you can simply use the two-fork method to check the tenderness. If the chicken shreds easily, it’s ready to go. - Adjusting the Spice Level
If you prefer a milder dish, you can omit the green chilies from the diced tomatoes or reduce the amount of taco seasoning. Conversely, if you like more heat, feel free to add a bit of cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños to the crock pot. - Cooking for a Larger Group
This recipe serves about 8 people, but it can be easily doubled if you’re cooking for a crowd. Simply increase the ingredients and cook for the same amount of time. Just be sure your crock pot is large enough to handle the extra ingredients! - Be Mindful of Cooking Times
Every crock pot is different, so you may need to adjust the cooking time based on your specific model. If you’re unsure, it’s better to check the chicken a little earlier than too late. Overcooking the chicken will make it dry, so keep an eye on it.