Tasty Tuesday

It's time to break out that Crock-Pot (or slow cooker) and try these yummy healthier chicken recipes. I mean, who doesn't love to come home to dinner already made?  In the words of Ron Popeil (from all those infomercials), you can simply 'Set it and Forget it'!

Marinara Chicken and Vegetables

Ingredients

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
4 tomatoes, chopped or one 14.5-ounce can low-sodium tomatoes, drained
4 medium ribs celery, diced (1 cup)
2 small zucchini, diced (2 cups)
1 bell pepper, cored, seeded, and diced
One 18-ounce jar low-sodium marinara sauce
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried thyme

1. Place the chicken in the slow cooker; add the garlic, tomatoes, celery, zucchini, and pepper. Pour the marinara sauce over all, and sprinkle the basil and thyme on top.
2. Set the slow cooker on low and cook for 6 to 7 hours. Before serving, shred the chicken with a fork

Salsa Chicken



Ingredients

2 pounds (32 ounces) chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
1 cup salsa, homemade or purchased
1 cup petite diced canned tomatoes (choose low-sodium)
2 tablespoons Taco Seasoning
1 cup onions, diced fine
1/2 cup celery diced fine
1/2 cup carrots, shredded 3 tablespoons sour cream, reduced fat

Place the chicken in a slow cooker. Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the meat then layer the vegetables and salsa on top. Pour a half cup water over the mixture, set on low and cook for 6-8 hours. The meat is cooked when it shreds or reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. When ready to serve, break up the chicken with two forks then stir in the sour cream.
Makes eight 1 cup servings.
Serve over brown rice or in whole wheat tortillas!

Chicken Tortilla Soup



3 raw boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce
1 medium onion, chopped
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chile peppers
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups water
1 (14.5 ounce) can 99% fat-free chicken broth 

1 TBSP cumin
1 TBSP chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 bay leaf
1 (10 ounce) package frozen corn
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

Combine all ingredients in a large slow cooker. Stir to combine. Cook on high 4-6 hours or low 6-8 hours.

Remove chicken from soup and shred. Return chicken to soup, stir, and serve.