Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Bowls

When I was looking over the Magical Moms' Recipe Box I discovered that we don't have enough slow cooker meals.  Both of our families are very busy with lots of after school activities which means that we know how important it is to be able to make quick and easy weeknight meals.  This recipe does require you to make the rice separately from the slow cooker, but you can make minute rice quickly and easily.
Just an FYI... Rule #1 of making anything in the slow cooker is DON'T forget to turn in on.  Luckily it only took me about 45 minutes to realize that I had plugged in the slow cooker, but did not turn it on.  HAHA!  I am still laughing at myself!

Ingredients:

• 3 Chicken Boneless Chicken Breasts
• 2 Cups of your favorite Salsa
• 1 Can of Corn (drained)
• 1 Can of Black Beans (drained and rinsed)
• 1 teaspoon Cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon Oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 1/8 teaspoon Black Pepper
• 1/2 Tablespoon Minced Garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
• 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
• 1/4 Cup of water
•  A Handful of Fresh Cilantro (chopped)
• 6 Servings of Basmati Rice (cooked)
• Juice of 1/2 Lime
• 2 Cups of Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• Sour Cream (optional)

In the slow cooker combine salsa, corn, black beans, salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, minced garlic, Cayenne pepper, water and chili powder and stir.  Add the chicken breasts, cover with mixture, and cook on low for about 6 hours.  

Remove chicken from slow cooker.  Chicken will be tender and shred very easily.  Return the chicken back the the slow cooker and mix to combine with all of the goodness.

Cook rice according to instructions.  I actually used to bags of boil-in-bag Basmati rice.  When rice is done, fluff and add cilantro, lime juice, and a little salt.  Put rice in bowl and add chicken, beans, and corn mixture.  Top with cheddar cheese and a little sour cream.  

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Spicy Chicken and Black Bean Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 Can of Corn
• 2 Chicken Breasts Cooked and Cubed/Shredded
• 1/4 teaspoon Cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon Onion Powder
• 1 Can of Rotel Tomatoes (undrained)
• 1 Can of Black Beans (drained and rinsed)
• Chicken Broth
• Fresh Cilantro
• Cheddar Cheese
• Sour Cream
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Combine corn, chicken, tomatoes, beans, cumin, onion powder, and chicken broth in slow cooker.  Cook on low for about 4 hours.  Serve topped with cheddar cheese, sour cream, and cilantro.

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Slow Cooker Rotisserie Style Chicken

 I know that I have said this a million times before, but I don't always have time to make a fancy dinner.  I like to pretend that I do so I really like to use my slow cooker.  I know that a rotisserie chicken is something that you can pick up at the hot foods section of the grocery store, but you never really know how long those have been there or what is on/in them.  I think it is just as easy to make it at home.  Just season it and throw it in the slow cooker.  A 4 pound chicken is PLENTY for our family to have for dinner and then I like to use the left overs to make Perfect Picnic Chicken Salad for sandwiches later in the week.  Cook once- eat twice!  YAY!

Ingredients:

• 4-5 lb Whole Chicken
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons Montreal Steak Seasoning
• 1 Tablespoon Paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon of Onion Powder  

Place four loosely made balls of foil in the bottom of the slow cooker.  This will keep the chicken elevated.  The juices will all go to the bottom.  The chicken will be plenty moist so don't worry.

Next is my least favorite part, clean out the inside of the chicken and rinse.  Pat it dry with paper towels.  Next coat all sides and inside of chicken with spices and place in the slow cooker.

Cook on High for about 4-5 hours or until internal temp of chicken has reached 165.  Remove chicken from slow cooker and let rest for about 5 minutes before carving.

If you like this then make sure to check out our Slow Cooker 8 Spice Lemon Chicken.

Creamy Garlic Ranch Pork Chops and Garlic Mashed Potatoes

This is by far one of the easiest recipes that I have EVER made!  If you are hungry for comfort food but are short on time, give this recipe a try.

Ingredients:

• 4-6 pork chops (I usually buy boneless ones that are about 1" thick and cut them in half length wise to cut  down on cooking time)
• 1 packet of Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning mix
• 1 can Cream of chicken soup
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

First combine Ranch packet, garlic, and cream of  chicken soup in slow cooker, then add in pork chops and stir together.  You don't need to add any additional liquid to the slow cooker the meat will create enough juices.

Cook on LOW for 3-4 hours depending on thickness of pork chops.  Mine took about 3 hours and they were about 1/2 inch thick.  Serve with Garlic mashed potatoes,  the gravy that will be created in the slow cooker is delicious!

This recipe was featured in Two Magical Moms March Menu Madness and our Appetizing April Menu.  Check out the menus and try out some of our other YUMMY recipes!

Mouth Watering Pot Roast

For dinner tonight, I am making my husband's favorite- Mouth Watering Pot Roast. I actually think the recipe title is Mississippi Pot Roast, but we call it mouth watering because the flavor is so good our mouths actually water when we think about it!

The best thing about this roast is that it's super easy and since you make it in the slow cooker, you can make it in the morning and forget about it until dinner. You can use a lot of substitutions as well, in fact I'm using one today because I do not have one of the ingredients.

Ingredient List:

• 1.5/2 lb. Chuck Roast
• 1 packet ranch dressing mix
• 1 packet Au Jus (I am out of the Au Jus so I'm substituting for 4 cubes of beef bouillon)
•  3/4 stick of butter (adjust this according to your taste, original recipe calls for entire stick)
•  4 pepperoncinis

One of the most important things I would like to point out is that you DO NOT add any water or broth to this. The beef drippings and butter create enough.

Directions:

1. Put chuck roast in slow cooker
2. Empty ranch packet then Au Jus (or in this case bouillon cubes) on top of beef
3. Put butter on top
4. Place each pepper around the butter
5. Cook on low 6-7 hours until meet is tender.