Crockpot Creamy Chicken {Mexican Style}

Why This is the Best Recipe

Slowcooker recipes are always a great choice for a busy night but this Crockpot creamy chicken is the best recipe because:

1. Lots of Protein: With grocery prices gone wild, this budget-friendly recipe stretches your chicken by adding affordable refried beans, cream cheese, and shredded cheese. It will definitely stick to their ribs!
2. 5-Minute Prep: Dump everything into the Crockpot and turn it on. That's about it!
3. Lots of Flavor but Not Too Spicy: The shredded chicken has lots of zesty Mexican spices and flavors but isn't too hot for picky eaters. For those that like to kick it up a notch? Just add hot sauce or cayenne to the individual servings.
4. Flexible Serving Ideas: Whether you want rice bowls, chicken burritos, or a creamy chicken dip with tortilla chips, you can turn this easy recipe into anything you want!

The list of ingredients is so easy for this recipe, I was able to listen to my friend tell me over the phone on my way to the grocery store and remember everything I needed when I got inside!

• Chicken Breasts or Chicken Thighs: Whatever is on sale, go for it!
• Fajita Skillet Sauce: You want the liquid in a packet, not the dry seasoning.
• Diced Tomatoes with Green Chiles: Like Rotel. You could also just use a can of plain diced tomatoes and add a separate can (or 2) of green chiles.
• Canned Refried Beans: I have a bean aversion but my friend pinkie-swore that I wouldn't taste the beans in the final dish. They just add a rich thickness to the creamy sauce and add extra protein. She was totally right, go for it.
• Cream Cheese
• Mexican Blend Shredded Cheese: You could also use sharp cheddar if you prefer.

Cook the Chicken in the Crockpot

Wait till you see how easy the prep is for this recipe.

First, pour the fajita sauce packet into your Crockpot. Add the chicken and use a fork to toss the meat in the sauce so it is all coated in seasoning.

Then, pour the entire can of diced tomatoes with chiles over the top. Use all the juices and everything.

Then, spoon the refried beans over the top and spread it into a layer as best you can.

This helps seal in some moisture as the chicken cooks.

Finally, chop the cream cheese into cubes and scatter them evenly over the top.

I also added some diced red peppers that were in my fridge, optional.

That's it! Easy, right??

Cover the Crockpot and cook the chicken on HIGH for 3 - 4 hours or until it is so tender it breaks apart when you stir it with a cooking spoon.

Finish the Creamy Chicken

Stir the chicken with your spoon until it has become completely shredded.

Add the frozen corn over the top and then sprinkle the shredded cheese over that.

Cover the slowcooker again and continue to cook for 30 minutes to heat up the corn and melt the cheese.

Stir the corn and cheese into the shredded chicken before serving.

1. Creamy Chicken Rice Bowls

This was how we enjoyed it for dinner that first evening.

I made a batch of our favorite jasmine rice and then spooned the creamy chicken over the top. You could also use our homemade Mexican rice.

We topped our bowls with restaurant style salsa, fresh green onions, and Mexican style hot sauce.

Absolutely delicious!

2. Creamy Chicken Burritos

The creamy sauce for the chicken would make a drippy taco, so I recommend making chicken burritos with cilantro lime rice and the shredded chicken on top!

Top your burrito as you normally would and enjoy. Super yum.

3. Creamy Chicken Dip

If you're feeling snacky and want to eat your meal with crispy tortilla chips, this Crockpot creamy chicken makes an excellent chicken dip! Consider adding a little more sweet corn for crunch.

You could keep the dip warm right in the crockpot and set out a big bowl of tortilla chips and salsas for an easy party buffet, too.