Sunday, May 2, 2010

Slow Cooker Southwestern Chicken and Trader Joe's Taco Seasoning Mix


Recently, I was shopping at Trader Joe's and one of their friendly associates introduced me to Trader Joe's Taco Seasoning Mix. I wasn't as excited as when I first heard about their jarred Lemon Curd, but when I read the ingredients I knew it was going to be a new staple in my pantry. Unlike other packaged taco seasoning mixes Trader Joe's brand is all natural ingredients with no added chemicals or msg. All of your favorite southwestern spices mixed together with sea salt and contained in a small packet for only $.79!

I tried it for the first time with this recipe for Slow Cooker Southwestern Chicken that is adapted from a recipe found on a Facebook slow cooker recipe page. It is yummy and an easy way to create, healthy, flavorful chicken that you can use to make 2 or 3 different meals in one week. Start off only using 1/2 of the taco seasoning packet-it is spicy!

Slow Cooker Southwestern Chicken

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 28 ounce jar salsa(mango or peach preferred)
1/2 package Trader Joe's Taco Seasoning Mix
1 cup water or low sodium chicken broth

Place all ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours. Remove chicken, shred with a fork, and return to slow cooker. Stir to combine and serve with brown rice and steamed vegetables.

Great for a low fat dinner with brown rice, or serve with whole wheat tortillas for tacos, or on top of Trader Joe's Multi grain tortilla chips and topped with cheese and black beans for nachos, or on mixed greens with avocados and roasted corn for a southwestern salad.