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Crockpot Chicken Taco Dip

October 9, 2014 · by Ari · 15 Comments

Crockpot Chicken Taco Dip

Disclosure: I was asked to participate in the McCormick Gluten-Free Recipe Mixes Launch as a member of the Healthy Aperture Blogger Network. I received free samples of McCormick Gluten-Free Recipe Mixes from McCormick mentioned in this post. I was compensated for my time. All opinions are my own.

Rich, creamy and bold chicken taco dip made easily in your slow cooker, topped with melty pepper jack. This dip is so full of flavor, you won’t be able to stay away!

Crockpot Chicken Taco Dip

I have a confession. I never make my own taco seasoning / pumpkin pie spice / tomato sauce seasonings / etc. I love to cook, but I am honestly all about convenience, and I’m a busy human who needs for things to be quick and easy when I’m cooking at home. Sometimes I feel like, because I have a food blog, I have to be one of those 100% from scratch type cooks. I just can’t live up to that. I mean, I guess I’m somewhere between that cookie dough that’s not just already made, but already cut for you and someone who churns their own butter.

Crockpot Chicken Taco Dip

Something that really surprised me when Steve found out he had a gluten intolerance was just how many things contained gluten. I mean, we’re both pretty lucky in the fact that we’re more gluten-get-grouchy than gluten intolerant (well, he is closer to intolerant, but does okay with cross contamination), but even still, so many of the seasonings that we’d used in the past contained flour–what is that about?? We learned to label check like crazy, even things you wouldn’t imagine, and it’s even more important for our friends with Celiac.

Crockpot Chicken Taco Dip

We LOVE that McCormick has some of our favorite seasoning mixes that are certified by the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness and they contain no MSG, artificial colors or flavors. The flavors are bold and spot on, and they make it so easy to turn a boring dinner into a flavorful one! I also love that their gluten-free products are the same price as their regular products. Eating gluten-free can get soooo expensive (hellloooo $5 for a loaf of bread…), and it’s really refreshing to finally have a product that has the same cost.

Crockpot Chicken Taco Dip

This dip couldn’t be easier–I just took some chicken breasts, a can of refried beans, a block of cream cheese and the McCormick gluten-free taco seasoning and threw ’em in the crockpot. I added some Greek yogurt after they were done cooking then topped it with pepper jack cheese that I put in the oven on broil until it got all bubbly and dreamy. The taste and the texture were absolutely amazing. I couldn’t stop eating it, and ended up eating dip for dinner. Oh well, I guess there’s worse things. 😉

Print
Crockpot Chicken Taco Dip

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 hours

Total Time: 5 hours, 5 minutes

Yield: about 9-10 cups

Crockpot Chicken Taco Dip

Ingredients

  • 1 pound chicken breast
  • 1 x 16 ounce can refried beans (I used fat free)
  • 3 cups salsa
  • 8 ounces reduced fat cream cheese, softened and cut into 1" cubes
  • 2-3 tablespoons McCormick Gluten-Free Taco Seasoning
  • 1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
  • 1 jalapeno, sliced (optional for serving)
  • corn tortilla chips for serving

Instructions

  1. Place chicken breasts at the bottom of your slow cooker. Cover with beans, salsa, cream cheese and taco seasoning. Cook on low for 4-5 hours, stirring once in between if possible.
  2. Remove chicken and shred. Take about a tablespoon of warm dip and mix into Greek yogurt to temper, then add Greek yogurt and stir to combine.Stir in shredded chicken. Transfer to an oven safe serving dish and top with shredded cheese. Cook on broil until cheese starts to brown and bubble, about 3-4 minutes. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
  3. Top with sliced jalapeno and serve immediately with chips. Leftovers may be refrigerated in an airtight container for 5-7 days.
3.1
http://www.arismenu.com/crockpot-chicken-taco-dip/

Other gluten-free seasoning options include Gluten-Free Chili Seasoning, Gluten-Free Turkey Gravy, and Gluten-Free Brown Gravy. For more from McCormick,  you can follow them on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram!

Filed Under: Appetizers, Gluten-free, Holiday & Seasonal, savory, Side Dish, Slow Cooker, Snacks · Tagged: beans, cheese, chicken, crockpot, dip, football, gluten free, slow cooker, taco, taco dip

Crockpot Chili

October 20, 2013 · by Ari · 25 Comments

Super easy, thick, chunky and bold man-style chili in your slow-cooker.

Crockpot Chili #glutenfree #dairyfree

When I was gone this summer, my husband ate a total of 3 things: Chipotle, this chicken, and this chili. No, I’m serious. He would make a huge batch of this chili and eat it for 2 weeks straight.

Crockpot Chili #glutenfree #dairyfree

When I came home (and after the weather cooled down, and I could actually think about eating chili again!), he couldn’t wait to make it for me. I love chili, but I guess I just never found a tried and true recipe, so it’s not something I make unless it includes sweet potatoes, but that’s a whole other story. 😉

Crockpot Chili #glutenfree #dairyfree

It was love at first bite. I loved it so so so much that I asked him if I could share it with you guys. Steve is all about the thick, chunky chili. He likes almost no water in it, and I have to say, I loved how hearty that made it. We’ve had it twice in the last month (and with a batch this size, that really is saying something!), and I’ve tried switching the beans around, and playing around with types of meat, and there is really no way to mess it up. Like I said, it makes a HUGE batch. Feel free to halve it, but the leftovers are so dang good–I would just make the whole thing.

Crockpot Chili #glutenfree #dairyfree

It’s especially good with some fresh cornbread crumbled on top. Ummm, that my friends, was like heaven.

Print
Crockpot Chili

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 8 hours

Total Time: 8 hours, 30 minutes

Yield: 16-20 servings

Serving Size: approx 1 cup

Crockpot Chili

Simple, easy, thick and chunky man-style chili that comes together in your slow cooker.

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 large sweet onions, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 bell peppers, chopped
  • 1 lb lean ground beef or turkey (93% or higher)
  • 2 lbs kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 lbs pinto beans (or black beans), drained and rinsed
  • 1 large can (approx 30 oz) chili beans
  • 2 lbs crushed tomatoes
  • 1 lb fire roasted tomatoes
  • 2 jalapenos, diced
  • 1 1/2 oz chili seasoning (if gf, make sure your seasonings are)
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • approx 1 cup beef broth or water

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until onions are golden, about 10 minutes. Add bell pepper and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes. Transfer to slow cooker. Over medium heat, brown the ground beef.
  2. Meanwhile, add beans, tomatoes and jalapenos to slow cooker. Add browned beef, chili seasoning, and cumin.
  3. Slowly, add beef broth or water until desired consistency. Lightly toss ingredients together. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.

Notes

This is a very forgiving recipe. Feel free to change up the beans, meat, seasonings, etc. to your taste.

3.1
http://www.arismenu.com/crockpot-chili/

Filed Under: Entree, Gluten-free, Holiday & Seasonal, Slow Cooker, Soup · Tagged: beans, beef, chili, crockpot, dairy free, dinner, gluten free, meat, recipe, slow cooker

Black Bean Burger Salad

June 16, 2013 · by Ari · 22 Comments

Black Bean Burger Salad with Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette #glutenfree

In the summertime, the only things I crave other than burgers (and grilled food in general) are big, delicious, cool and refreshing salads. I’m not talking the kind of “salad” that is some lettuce thrown on a plate and then drowned with ranch dressing. My salads need to be loaded with flavor, and they have to have a little something special to keep me interested.

Black Bean Burger Salad with Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette #glutenfree

I also always love a new way to eat one of my favorite foods. I fell head over heels for these black bean burgers at first bite, and since I almost never make the same meal twice, I wanted a new way to enjoy them. I have to say, I like them even better this way!

Black Bean Burger Salad with Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette #glutenfree

The bold, spicy burgers balance perfectly with the fresh, crisp lettuce and cucumber, and the sweet tomatoes, peppers, roasted corn and dried cranberries. And that tangy, creamy goat cheese on top? Flavor heaven. Not to mention the sweet and spicy cilantro lime vinaigrette. It is legit the best salad dressing I have ever tasted.

Black Bean Burger Salad with Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette #glutenfree

If you don’t do dairy, you could leave the goat cheese off and replace it with avocado. I mean, you should probably just add avocado anyway to all things, but especially if you leave the cheese off. This salad is perfect for summer (or any time), and I even continued to make it with my left over black bean burgers for the entire rest of the week! You can also easily double or triple it if you’re serving a bigger group!

Print
Black Bean Burger Salad with Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes

Yield: 2 servings

Black Bean Burger Salad with Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

Ingredients

  • 2 ears corn
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 heart of romain, chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 large cucumber, chopped
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries
  • 2 black bean burgers*
  • 3 oz goat cheese
  • For the Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette:
  • 2 limes
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2/3 cup cilantro
  • 1/2 jalapeno, seeds removed
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • pinch salt

Instructions

  1. Drizzle corn with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast at 400 until golden and tender, about an hour.
  2. Prepare the dressing by adding the zest of 1 lime, and the juice of two with all remaining ingredients in your food processor and pulsing until combined and smooth, about 1 minute.
  3. For the salad, gently toss together roasted corn, lettuce, tomato, bell pepper, cucumber, and cranberries. Transfer to serving dishes. Crumble 1 black bean burger and 1.5 oz goat cheese on top of each salad. Serve with prepared dressing.

Notes

*Store bought/frozen black bean burgers may be used. Cook per package instructions before adding to your salad.

**To keep vegan, avocado may be subbed for goat cheese and agave may be subbed for honey in the dressing.

3.1
http://www.arismenu.com/black-bean-burger-salad/

Filed Under: Appetizers, Dinner, Entree, Gluten-free, Holiday & Seasonal, Lunch, Salads, savory, Summer, Vegetarian · Tagged: beans, black bean burger, cheese, cilantro, corn, dinner, gluten free, lunch, recipe, salad, summer, vegetarian

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