Description
This recipe offers a simple, budget-friendly, and hearty crockpot meal, perfect for busy weeknights. It uses common, inexpensive ingredients to create a delicious, comforting slow cooker dinner with minimal effort, making healthy eating accessible for families.
Ingredients
2 lbs Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
28 oz Canned diced tomatoes (undrained)
15 oz Canned black beans (rinsed, drained)
15 oz Canned corn (drained)
1 medium Onion, chopped
3 cloves Garlic, minced
1 cup Chicken broth
2 tsp Chili powder
1 tsp Cumi
1/2 tsp Dried oregano
1/2 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Place chicken thighs in the bottom of your crockpot
- Next, add the diced tomatoes, black beans, corn, chopped onion, and minced garlic over the chicke
- Pour in the chicken broth
- Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper evenly over all ingredients
- Stir gently to combine everything, ensuring the chicken is mostly submerged
- Cover your crockpot and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours, or on HIGH for 3-4 hours
- Once cooked, remove the chicken and shred it using two forks
- Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot and stir it back into the mixture
- Serve hot and enjoy your delicious, budget-friendly meal!
Notes
You can prepare ingredients ahead of time by chopping vegetables and measuring spices the night before. Always use thawed chicken for food safety.
For variations, swap chicken thighs for chicken breasts or browned lean ground turkey. Add other vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or sweet potatoes. Experiment with spices; a pinch of cayenne adds heat, or smoked paprika deepens the flavor.
Always layer denser ingredients like chicken on the bottom of the crockpot. Resist lifting the lid during cooking as it releases heat and extends cooking time. Taste and adjust seasonings before serving; fresh cilantro or a squeeze of lime can elevate the dish.
Store cooled leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, or freeze portions for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or gently on the stovetop until heated through, adding a splash of broth if it seems too thick.
To increase spiciness, add a pinch of cayenne pepper with the other spices, or include a diced jalapeño or serrano pepper with the onion. Red pepper flakes also work well.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3.3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6.7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 133mg
Keywords: chicken, crockpot, slow cooker, budget-friendly, easy, weeknight, family meal, economical