My second spicy Southwest secret…

is this super easy chicken recipe.  So simple…just throw some stuff in the crockpot and walk away.  My kind of cooking.

In case you missed my first spicy Southwest secret, I’ll share it with you again. It’s Primal Kitchen Chipotle Lime Mayo.  Seriously so good and the only effort required is opening the jar.  Here’s a post I wrote on it.
My spicy little Southwest secret
But about the chicken….
 there are so many things you can do with it.  It could be a filling for tacos or quesadillas.  I use it to make bowls.  Scoop up some of the chicken, and top with anything you like:  sliced avocado or guac, diced bell peppers, diced tomato, salsa, even sour cream and cheese if you do dairy. You could put a dollop of the Chipotle Lime mayo on top to give it a creamy non-dairy kick.
I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for this.  Usually I prefer chicken with the bone in and skin on, but in this case the boneless skinless thighs are just easier.
Whenever possible, I buy pastured, local chicken.  In this case, the chicken was organic, so I know it wasn’t fed GMO food, and it had access to the outdoors.  I like happy chickens!
Chicken is a good source of protein, which is necessary for healthy skin and maintaining your lean tissue.  Thighs have more fat than the breasts, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing.  It keeps the meat moist and keeps you satiated.  Fat is also important to help you absorb the micronutrients in your food.
The seasonings I used add great flavor as well as added nutrition.  Spices, particularly organic ones, are a great source of antioxidants.  Don’t be overwhelmed by the number of spices I used…you can totally leave something out if you don’t have it.  I do feel the cumin is pretty essential, but that is easy to find.  You can grab organic cumin on your next Target run.
All of the toppings I suggested above add flavor and nutrition.  Avocado is such a great source of healthy fats.  Bell peppers are an amazing source of antioxidants, as are tomatoes.  Let the bell peppers ripen to maximize the availability of the vitamin C and carotenoids.
So here’s my recipe.  Like everything I post, this is pretty forgiving.  If you use less or more chicken adjust the seasoning accordingly.  You really can’t go wrong!
happy, healthy and hot shredded Southwest chicken
3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp each of smoked paprika, ground chipotle, chile powder, cayenne
Pink Himalayan salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste.
I lightly greased the crockpot, threw in the chicken thighs, sprinkled on the seasonings, and set it to low for 8 hours.
An hour or two in I stirred a little so the seasonings would be distributed better.  I did not use any liquid.  You could add a splash of broth or even water if you are worried about it drying out, but mine turned out great.
They are cooked through when they are literally falling apart and can be easily shredded with a fork.  Mine took about 6 1/2 hours.  If you want to cook on high I would add some liquid to be safe.
After you’ve shredded the chicken, do what ever you like with it…tacos, bowls, whatever!
I love this recipe because it makes a ton and know I have a quick lunch or dinner whenever I want.  You could probably freeze the leftovers, but I have never tried it.
So, can shredded Southwest chicken help you feel happy, healthy and hot?  
I know I am always happy when my fridge is stocked with great tasting food.  The chicken provides essential protein and the veggies you top it with are loaded with antioxidants. Eating meals with enough protein will keep you full and satisfied and help you maintain a healthy weight.  And with your firm, glowing skin from all the protein and antioxidants, and your healthy body, you’ll be very hot!
SHOP THE POST:
Primal Kitchen Chipotle Lime Mayo
Thrive Market   This is an online membership market…Whole Foods type of merchandise at Costco prices.  They carry most Primal Kitchen products, as well as many other happy, healthy and hot essentials.