Crock-Pot Mexican Chicken and Brown Rice

[themotherhen]

I was really busy today and I wanted to make a dinner that I didn't have to fuss with. I had a few frozen chicken breasts and some brown rice and I decided to try a recipe idea that I had. Enjoy! 

Pour 1 bag uncooked brown rice into your Crock-Pot. Place 2-3 frozen chicken breasts on top of rice. Spoon about half of a jar of medium salsa onto chicken. Add about 4 cups of water or chicken broth to crock. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6, depending on your Crock-Pot. Remove chicken and shred, mix into rice. Top with shredded cheese, I used Colby/Jack. 

My 3 little guys and I loved this, it had good flavor but was not spicy. If you like heat, you could probably substitute hot salsa. You could also add corn towards the end of cooking time, as well as olives, and serve with guacamole, sour cream, etc. We have enough for either dh and my oldest when they get home from work or another dinner for the 4 of us. I used to be so worried about rice in the Crock-Pot because I used white rice and it turned to mush. Since I switched to brown rice it hasn't been a problem. 

[feather]

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm I'm on my way over. I love a good healthy rice dish like this. DH won't touch them. I sometimes feel sad he won't even try anything with rice anymore.

[themotherhen]

feather, I bet you could make a batch for yourself and freeze them in portions. I freeze rice all the time, I am just careful to make sure it is cool before I put it into containers. It should heat easily in the microwave or on the stove, just don't add the cheese until you heat it up. It's too bad that your dh doesn't like rice, what makes him not like it?

[feather]

themotherhen, I could and actually I should make some for myself and my DS also likes rice dishes. Dh doesn't like the texture, so he is opposed to rice, couscous, quinoa, anything like rice. The only rice dish he'll eat is stir fried rice with pork/beef/chicken, lots of protein.

There was a great rice dish I used to make for my little kids, mix mushroom soup canned, celery, raw rice, water or milk, then layer on top, chicken with the skin on top, bake and the rice would be so delicious! The chicken and chicken fat, the flavors melted into the rice. Loved that too.

[feather]

Okay I write the grocery lists. I wrote one for DS and I...bag of brown rice, small chicken, possibly guacamole or avocados...we have the rest.

[themotherhen]

feather, that recipe sounds great, thanks! I'm so glad you and your son will be able to try it. Some people just have texture issues, my 8 year old only likes brown rice because he thinks white rice is mushy.
Our oven is kind of wonky so until we replace it I have been using my Crock-Pot and bread machine more. The other day I put some frozen chicken in the Crock-Pot, mixed a can of cream of celery soup with a few cups of water, and cooked for 3 hours on high. Then I added some instant brown rice and frozen peas and corn, then cooked for another 30 minutes. It was so good.
I made a new bread yesterday! DH bought some cottage cheese to go with peaches for lunch but then it got cold and he only likes that lunch during warm weather. I detest cottage cheese but it made a lovely, fragrant loaf of bread with some dill. I hate to waste food and the cottage cheese adds protein and calcium. My 7 year old doesn't always like meat but he will always eat bread, lol!

[feather]

Okay, today is the day! Salsa, brown rice, chicken thighs. I am adding some italian sausage to spice it up. I have cheese, onions, avocados for guacamole, for toppings. I'm looking forward to it, so is DS. (I'm making cheese at the same time but that is the benefit of using a slow cooker, it sits off to the side, and there is nothing to bother with until it is time to eat!)

[feather]

I have annie's salsa in the pantry.
I made a big batch, it was OH SO YUMMY!!!
2 and 3/4 cup brown rice
2 pints of annie's salsa
4 cups water
6 chicken thighs
1 lb italian sausage in small bits
Our crock pot was FULL.

Cooked 4-5 hours on high.
It was delicious!!!!!!!! We had guacamole (avocado, lemon juice, salt, onion), chopped onions, chopped up cheddar cheese for toppings.
Dh ate chicken thighs and cottage cheese.
DS and I had the rice and chicken w/sausage.
Delightful, really delightful.

[themotherhen]

feather, I'm so glad that you and your family enjoyed it! I have since made it with onions, then added cooked pinto beans, corn, and diced bell peppers. Even my picky youngest cleaned his plate.

[tenbusybees]

We call it "fiesta chicken" here! My kids love it too. I do the brown rice in the cooker though and not add any water to the chix. I also add a quart of black beans and sometimes a block of cream cheese. Yum!

[themotherhen]

I bet it's great with cream cheese, I will have to try that!

[Maura]

I think I'll make that today sInce my oven isn't working. I forgot all about the crock pot that is sitting in plain sight on my counter.

You did not ad water? Enough juice in the chicken?

[feather]

Maura,plan to add 2 cups of water/liquid to each cup of brown rice.

[Maura]

I added one cup of water. There was enough juice to cook the rice and carrots. Very very nice. I was going to add a tomato, but forgot. I'll do it tomorrow when I have the leftovers.

[bluemingidiot]

I tried it for the domino social tonight. Used thighs, reduced fat sausage, medium pico de gallo, small can of diced chiles, half block of cream cheese, shredded mild cheddar, low sodium chicken broth. I broiled the thighs at 400° to crisp the skin. Overcooked the rice. Even so, some thought it was good. No returns.