Happy New Year!!! Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken Verde

Here's the problem:  Working New Year's Eve 8 am - 6 pm... Annual BFF New Year's Eve celebration starting as soon as I can get home... Super anxious to see my 3 favorite Nieder-Meyers and don't want to spend all evening in the kitchen.  We have babies to dress up, pictures to take, and toasts to make!

the girls in their party dresses



The solution?:  This recipe was born!  An easy slow cooker chicken that combines some of our favorite flavors with the ease of a slow cooker.  I envision six hungry friends gathered around a table, passing taco toppings, champagne punch (for 4 of us), milk (for the 2 newest members), and good cheer. 

Gosh, all this problem solving makes a girl hungry!  Here's how Mama makes it:

Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken Verde

Ingredients:

- 3 lbs. bonless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 jar salsa verde
- 1 c. chicken stock
- 1 medium poblano pepper, chopped
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1.5 - 2 T. taco seasoning (recipe below!)*
- juice of 1 lime
- 1/2 c. chopped fresh cilantro



taco seasoning:
- 2 T. chili powder
- 1 T. cumin
- 1 t. garlic powder
- 1 t. onion powder
- 1 t. paprika
- 1 t. black pepper
- 1 t. salt (more or less to taste)
- 1 t. cayenne pepper (again, adjust to taste/tolerance)
- 1/2 t. oregano
- 1/4 t. crushed red pepper flakes



Directions:

1.  Mix taco seasoning ingredients in a small bowl, bag, or spice jar.  Make a big batch to have on hand or just enough, your choice!  Adjust the heat and saltiness to your liking (the beauty of making your own instead of the little packets).

spice art, anyone?



2.  Combine chicken, onion, and pepper in a slow cooker. 



3.  Add the salsa, taco seasoning, and chicken stock and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4 hours.



4.  Add the lime juice and cilantro, shred chicken with tongs or forks. 

what I came home to!

run the tongs through it real quick... it just falls apart

add a whole bunch of cilantro

and the juice of 1 lime

mix it up a little



5.  Serve over rice or with tortillas and various toppings:  avocado slices, guacamole, salsa, chopped cilantro, jalapenos, shredded cheese, lettuce, you get the picture!

printable recipe

Annalyn had a little "baby taco"

(whole wheat tortilla, avocado spread, cheese, and chicken)

and she ate it all!



Not only did we end our big year with an awesome celebration, but we rang in 2013 with a bang.  It will be pretty hard for this new year to compete with the awesome year we all had in 2012, but we have high hopes! 

3-1-0-2??

 2-0-1-3, there ya go!