Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
Very easy and good. I serve this more as a tortilla soup, and the next day as tacos.
Very easy and good. I serve this more as a tortilla soup, and the next day as tacos.
- Carbohydrate 98.58274 g
- Cholesterol 54.755 mg
- Fat 6.54672083333333 g
- Fiber 32.2341321002245 g
- Protein 19.4612625 g
- Saturated Fat 2.09325458333333 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (342g)
- Sodium 13791.2546666667 mg
- Sugar 66.3486078997755 g
- Trans Fat 3.08749125 g
- Calories 472 calories
Step-by-step
- Add chicken to slow cooker.
- Sprinkle taco seasoning over chicken.
- Pour salsa and soup over chicken.
- Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
- Remove from heat and stir in sour cream.
- Serve with rice.
Long cooking durations present a distinct structural challenge for lean poultry, which can easily transition from tender to stringy when exposed to sustained thermal energy. Operating at temperatures between 190 degrees Fahrenheit and 200 degrees Fahrenheit, a slow cooker breaks down collagen gradually without violently boiling the muscle fibers, provided the cut remains submerged in liquid. Managing moisture and fat prevents the chicken breast from drying out over the six-to-eight-hour window, while canned soup and salsa supply the necessary acidic environment to tenderize exterior proteins. Dairy behaves differently under sustained heat, meaning structural integrity requires strategic timing to avoid separation.
- Incorporate sour cream only after removing the vessel from the heat source, because high heat denatures dairy proteins and causes milk solids to curdle into an unpleasant grainy texture.
- Substitute store-bought seasoning packets with custom ratios of cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder to control sodium levels, noting that commercial spice blends often contain up to thirty percent salt by weight.
- Shred the cooked chicken directly in the residual braising liquid to maximize surface area absorption, allowing the meat to rehydrate fully before serving.
Adapting this method for dietary needs requires simple swaps, such as replacing sour cream with cashew cream or coconut yogurt. Leftovers maintain optimal texture when stored in an airtight container for up to four days.
