Healthy Crack Chicken aka Creamy Salsa Chicken
User Reviews
5.0
105 reviews
Excellent
-
Prep Time
10 mins
-
Cook Time
10 mins
-
Additional Time
4 hrs
-
Total Time
4 hrs 30 mins
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Servings
6 Servings
-
Calories
363 kcal
Healthy Crack Chicken aka Creamy Salsa Chicken
Report
This healthier crack chicken recipe (aka creamy salsa chicken) is easily made in your instant pot or slow cooker! Loaded with better for you ingredients, but still packs a ton of flavor. This recipe is great in tacos, sandwiches, quesadillas, enchiladas, salads or by itself for a low carb meal.
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Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken breast boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (cut breasts in half horizontally if large and cooking in Instant Pot)
- 1/2 cup salsa try homemade!
- ¼ water if salsa really thick
- 1 lime juiced (about 2-3 tablespoons)
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons cumin
- 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4-8 oz Neufchatel Cream Cheese room temp
- 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese or try Monterey Jack, Colby, Sharp Cheddar, or any Mexican melting cheese like Cotija
- 15 oz can black beans drained and rinsed (optional, omit if low-carb)
Topping Ideas
- More Salsa or Pico de gallo
- Guacamole or freshly cubed avocado
- sour cream Mexican Crema or Plain Yogurt
- Corn or flour tortillas or taco shells
- corn grilled, canned or frozen
- fresh cilantro chopped
Instructions
- INSTANT POT INSTRUCTIONS
- If chicken breasts are large and/or thick, slice in half horizontally then place in pressure cooker in a single layer on bottom of pan.
- Dump in salsa, lime juice (water if necessary), chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Lock lid in place and place pressure release knob in sealed position. Cook on HIGH pressure for 20 minutes (takes about 10 minutes to come to pressure for fresh chicken, will take longer for frozen chicken).
- While chicken is cooking, shred cheese and cut cream cheese into chunks.
- Allow pressure to release naturally, remove chicken and shred using two forks.
- Select the saute mode on pressure cooker, add cream cheese and pepper jack cheese stirring until smooth, stir in black beans and shredded chicken. Chicken will continue to absorb the moisture as it sits.
- Try this delicious chicken in tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, salad, as a sandwich or in a wrap!
- As a Freezer Meal | Place a freezer ziplock baggie inside pressure cooker pot, arrange chicken in single layer with all other ingredients in Step 2 (not the cheeses). Seal bag and freeze INSIDE PRESSURE COOKER POT until solid, then remove bag from pot and return to freezer until ready to use. Cooking Day Instructions | Add 2-3 tablespoons of water to pressure cooker pot, remove frozen chicken and spices from ziplock place inside pot. Cook at HIGH pressure 20-25 minutes, then proceed with Steps 4-6.
SLOW COOKER/CROCK POT INSTRUCTIONS
- Place chicken breasts in bottom of crock in one layer if possible. Pour salsa (with extra water if really thick), lime juice, spices over chicken, given it a little stir.
- Add cream cheese in small cubes evenly over chicken.
- Cover and cook on high 3 hours or low 5 to 6 hours.
- Once tender, shred chicken using two forks and stir in pepper jack cheese. Serve as desired!
Equipments used:
Notes
- Freeze cooked chicken by cooling completely, then placing in airtight storage container or freezer ziplock (don't forget to write on it). Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw in slow cooker over low heat or on stovetop or microwave until warmed through.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Serving
1cup
Calories
363kcal
(18%)
Carbohydrates
18g
(6%)
Protein
43g
(86%)
Fat
13g
(20%)
Saturated Fat
6g
(30%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
4g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
124mg
(41%)
Sodium
1171mg
(49%)
Potassium
944mg
(27%)
Fiber
6g
(24%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
611IU
(12%)
Vitamin C
8mg
(9%)
Calcium
221mg
(22%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 363 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1cup | |
| Calories | 363kcal | 18% |
| Carbohydrates | 18g | 6% |
| Protein | 43g | 86% |
| Fat | 13g | 20% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 124mg | 41% |
| Sodium | 1171mg | 49% |
| Potassium | 944mg | 20% |
| Fiber | 6g | 24% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 611IU | 12% |
| Vitamin C | 8mg | 9% |
| Calcium | 221mg | 22% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
105 reviews
Excellent
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