Sunday, April 25, 2010

Crock Pot Slow Roasted Shredded Chicken Tacos


A good dinner recipe doesn't mean you have to spend hours in the kitchen. Just maybe like 10-15 minutes. Take that Rachel Ray. Well, I like Rachel Ray, so, I guess forgive me for showing off. I'm really just sharing a favorite, but easy, recipe that has made it's way into my home. I have been making BBQ venison (or beef) for years this way, but then why not chicken? And why not for a fresh and juicy taco? All those delicious fresh ingredients that are naturally gluten-free. You don't even really need a corn tortilla, you could just pile these ingredients on a plate and eat up. It's a great way to start the weekend, that's for sure. Or this is one of those recipes that is easy to share with a large group of friends that is gathering. Every guest could bring a topping and viola, dinner for a group made easy! I enjoy eating meals with people. It is something scared and set apart from the every day busy life. It's a celebration whether you are celebrating something significant or not.
The things is, if you eat gluten-free, then eating with friends or at parties can be a little intimidating. I suggest that if you are not the host, to talk with the host to find out more about the menu, or ask to contribute a dish or side that you know you can eat. This means you could bring the salad, or the dessert, or something you can guarantee is gluten-free. I bring this up with this recipe because this is a meal recipe that most people will love but will forget it is gluten-free naturally. So, if possible suggest you bring the main dish. Prepare this dish in the crock pot and have all your friends provide the toppings, and in no real effort you have a great dinner party ahead of you. There is less stress for you, which is not good for your digestion either. Maybe a stress-free meal with friends is just what you need to help aid in the healing of your gut. Sometime love, laughter and friends is just the medicine you need to aid in the healing journey!
And with all the fresh toppings to add to this great meal, you will find yourself loving this most any time of the year, but especially when you can make fresh garden salsa from the backyard.

Crock Pot Slow Roasted Chicken Taco Recipe: Serving 12-15 people.
1.5 pounds of raw chicken boneless breast meat (organic or local is best)
1.5 pounds of raw chicken boneless thigh meat (organic or local is best)
28 ounces of canned diced tomatoes
2 small yellow onions
2 TB of chili powder (or 1 ts of ground garlic, oregano, chili, and cumin)
1 ts of cumin
1 ts. of coriander
1/2 cup of water
1/2 of lime or lemon freshly squeezed for juice or 2 TB of juice
optional: 1 small Anaheim pepper (peal out all of the seeds if you are trying to keep the spiciness down).

Put all of the raw chicken in the crock pot. Slice the onions into large rings and throw them into the pot. Then blend the canned diced tomatoes in a blender to liquify, and/or a few tomato chunks are fine too. Pour the tomato mixture into the pot, then pour the 1/2 cup of water in. Pour all of the spices in and the fresh squeezed lemon juice. Then if you want to add some kick add one pepper sliced in half for cooking. But don't slice it up, keep it close to whole so that you can pull it out after cooking. Then stir with a wooden spoon to distribute the spices over the chicken. Add a dash of sea salt and cracked pepper and then put the lid on. Cook on a 8-10 hour lower heat. Cook for 8 hours in the pot and then open the lid and see if the chicken is pull-apart-able. Take 2 forks and pull the chicken into shreds and then mix with the juices and sauces. Let in sit in the juice on a warm heat until you are ready to serve. Then to the toppings...

Use corn tortilla if you want to make tacos, and just pile on a plate if you want to eat with a fork or with corn tortilla chips.

Some other great base ingredients:
brown rice (soaked and cooked)
black beans (soaked and cooked)
sauteed peppers, onions, and other veggies

Preferred Toppings:
fresh chopped cilantro
avocado chunks
fresh salsa
tomato pieces
fresh chopped lettuce
goat cheddar cheese, or other farm cheese
strained Greek plain yogurt (or sour cream)
Now it's time to put it all together and take a bite. Is your mouth watering yet? It should be! Yes, you have to wait hours to make your taco, but when it is done, you will have enough to serve your whole family or a bunch or friends, Or, if cooking for one or two, it is an easy dish to eat once and have for leftover or put half into the freezer for a later date. A great, easy gluten-free meal. Love it!

I hope you enjoy, and have a great week. Much love to you!

6 comments:

  1. Perfect timing! We're having a Cinco de Mayo celebration next week at work, and I planned on bringing two varieties of meat (cooked in the slow cooker) for tacos. I was contemplating chicken, but I honestly don't cook it in the slow cooker nearly as often as I do other meats. This will be PERFECT! Yum.

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  2. Aw, this recipe would be perfect for a cinco demayo celebration! have fun, and enjoy!!!

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  3. YUM! Love the crockpot meals! How much lemon or lime juice? Is that in cups?

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  4. Sorry M- That is in half of a lemon or lime, then squeezed... make sense? I will fix that. Thanks.

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  5. I made this today and it was SUPER yummy! My husband compared it to one of his favorite lunch spots in town, so I was pleased :)
    I'm cooking my way through your recipes and I have loved all of them so far!

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  6. Thank you Momma O- You are too kind. Glad your family enjoyed! Much love to you!

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