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Wednesday, October 12, 2011

The Saucy Single Lady's Salsa Chicken

Alright ladies (and gentlemen), we are back for another edition of the Single Lady Cooks.

For this recipe, you'll need a Crock-Pot. If you don't have one, I highly recommend that you get one. I used to be vehemently opposed to Crock-Pot cooking. Crock-Pots bring to mind my parents' retro mustard yellow and dark brown Crock-Pot that used to cook for hours, only to reveal something that no 7 year old wants to eat.

But I am a grown up now. With grown up tastebuds. And an appreciation for easy, healthy meals that don't require a lot of work.

This one might go into the record books for the simplest recipe around.

Aside from a Crock-Pot, you only need two things:
  1. Salsa
  2. Chicken
That is it.



First up, let's talk chicken. We all know how I feel about meat. I don't like to touch it. I especially don't like to cut it. If you are like me, you are in serious luck with this recipe. I usually buy (boneless skinless) chicken breasts (approx 1.25 lbs, more or less). Sometimes the breast tenders are cheaper, so I'll buy those instead. It doesn't really matter, as long as they don't include bones (yuck).

Now, let's talk salsa. Did you know salsa means sauce in Spanish? Hence the Saucy Single Lady! This is the fun part. You can pick any salsa you want! Yes, you read that right - FREE CHOICE!

I almost always go with Trader Joes Pineapple Salsa (the kind in a jar) - it is SO good. It is my favorite salsa of life (thanks to Jessica for introducing me to it). It is almost more of a fruit salad with tomatoes than a salsa, but it works. Occasionally, I'll switch things up and get Trader Joe's Smoked Peach Salsa (also in a jar). I like fruity foods. A lot.

If you like more spice, pick something with a little bit more kick. Do you have a favorite salsa for chips? Be sure to use that one! You can experiment with different salsas you come across. Corn Salsa? I bet that would work as well.

Now, here are the instructions:

  1. Put the chicken in your Crock-Pot.
  2. Pour the entire jar of salsa in.
  3. Plug in Crock-Pot.
  4. Set an alarm for 6 hours later, and move on with your life.

After the 6 hours is up, your chicken should be done! At this point, I'll take a fork to the chicken and shred it a bit - I find that its easier to do this right when I unplug the Crock-Pot. If you like your chicken chunkier, don't shred as much.



I get four Single Lady sized servings out of this recipe. And did you know that salsa is practically calorie free? I think the whole jar is 100 calories. So add that to the chicken calories and you have a seriously healthy dish.

As for serving - a lot of times I'll eat this plain, with a side of salsa and chips (Trader Joe's makes really great Guilt Free Tortilla Chips). You can also get some tortillas, and all the fixings to go fajita style. Think avocados, sour cream, cheese, beans, CILANTRO (yum!), etc.

This batch made it to the Hope Communion Sunday Potluck:


 
There isn't really more to it than that - after all - this is a two ingredient recipe, but just in case you were wondering here are a few more notes on what I do:
  • Sometimes, I'll throw some sliced bell peppers in the Crock-Pot, after the salsa. I know, watch out. 
  • I use a 1.5 quart Crock-Pot. It's tiny. This recipe fits PERFECTLY in it. If you were to use a bigger version, I'm not exactly sure how that would work - but I'm sure it will. Just double your chicken, double your salsa.
  • Okay, here is the part that might make you think I'm crazy - I'll usually make this on a Sunday night, and set my alarm clock for 6 hours later. Meaning if I start this at 7pm, I'm waking up at 1am to turn it off, put it in a container and then put in the fridge. It takes about 3 minutes tops, and I fall right back to sleep. I don't really feel comfortable leaving the Crock-Pot on while I'm not home, so I prefer doing it this way.
  • As with my other recipes, I love that I can have these ingredients on hand at any time. I can keep a jar of salsa in the cupboard, and the chicken in the freezer. And yes, sometimes I go from freezer to Crock-Pot - the 6 hours seems to be a perfect amount of time to cook both thawed or frozen.


16 comments:

  1. I love use my crock pot especially this time of year. This recipe looks so delish.
    Thanks for sharing!
    :-)

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  2. I make this a lot but add a block of cream cheese and some shredded cheddar at the end. We eat it over rice or on tortilla's.

    I have the same pink Kitchenaid!! I named her Penelope :)

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  3. Your crockpot is so cute. Like you. This is not your parents' crock.

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  4. I love the name of your dish, you saucy lady!
    Now I'll be on a quest to find salsa to match since Trader Joes is three hours away!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  5. I HATE messing with meat, especially raw meat. Especially especially chicken. It totally grosses me out too. Thank you for making me feel normal. I will tell my husband that he is abnormal for not being grossed out. And then I will continue to thank him profusely for dealing with the raw chicken. :-)

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  6. OK, so you *can* teach an old married lady new tricks... I have never, ever put frozen food in the crock pot. I didn't even know it was possible. I will have to try it sometime when I'm feeling brave. Thanks, Saucy Single Lady!

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  7. I'm totally trying this once it gets colder here. Thanks for the recipe!

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  8. i knew i loved that a little extra for a reason. #BESTSALSAEVER

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  9. I love easy crockpot meals...this is perfect can't wait to try it out.

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  10. Love this. Will add to our menu next week.

    Patrick has issues with touching uncooked meat too lol.

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  11. I have made this in my oven, but DUH....crock pot is SO much easier!! Totally using my crockpot for this from now on! So glad you linked up...love the name. And, you are cracking me up that you SET YOUR ALARM for the middle of the night. You crazy girl :)

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  12. THANK YOU THIS looks amazing and easy!!!!

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  13. the middle of the night alarm... cracking me up!

    i love the name of your recipe :o)

    this is so super easy and yummy! love it. we don't have a trader joes anywhere near here so hmmm maybe costcos peach mango salsa.

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  14. You had me until the 1am wake-up thing.
    In the immortal words of Dana Carvey
    as George Bush,
    "not gonna do it".
    :)

    But I WILL do the rest.
    I usually do frozen breasts with just plain ole
    chicken broth.
    WHY did I never think of salsa??!?!

    You brilliant, saucy lady, you.

    ~Keri

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  15. So simple! I loooooooooooooove chicken, and salsa! Yummy recipe. I'm also very m uch in love with my crock pot!!!

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  16. Thank you, thank you, you saucy thang! I'm always looking for easy and delicious recipes!
    I will be by TJs on Saturday and I'm going to get that pineapple salsa. (I really want it now!)

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