Easy Cheap Dinners For Family Crock Pots

Alright, so you’re staring into the abyss of your fridge, contemplating ordering pizza again, but your wallet’s giving you the side-eye, huh? Been there, done that, bought the oversized T-shirt. Well, dust off that magical slow-cooker of yours, because we’re about to make dinner disappear from your to-do list faster than a cookie at a kids’ party.

Why This Recipe is Awesome

Because, my friend, this isn’t just a recipe; it’s a life hack disguised as dinner. We’re talking “dump it all in and walk away” levels of easy. It’s so forgiving, you could probably forget about it for an extra hour (don’t, but you *could*) and it would still turn out delicious. Plus, it’s cheap enough that your bank account won’t send you an angry text, and versatile enough that even your pickiest eater might grudgingly admit it’s “not terrible.” It basically makes you look like a culinary genius without actually having to *be* one. You’re welcome.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gather your troops! These are all supermarket regulars, no fancy-pants ingredients here.

• **1.5 – 2 lbs Boneless, Skinless Chicken** (Thighs or Breasts, whatever’s on sale! Frozen is totally fine, just make sure to break them apart a bit if they’re stuck together.)
• **1 (15 oz) Can Black Beans**, rinsed and drained (Unless you like bean juice, then by all means, don’t drain. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.)
• **1 (15 oz) Can Corn**, drained (Adds a pop of sweetness, like a tiny culinary hug.)
• **1 (15 oz) Jar Salsa**, your favorite kind (Mild, medium, hot – you do you! This is where all the flavor magic happens.)
• **1 (1 oz) Packet Taco Seasoning** (The secret weapon for instant fiesta vibes!)
• **1/2 cup Chicken Broth** (Just a little liquid courage for our chicken.)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. **Prep the Crock Pot:** First things first, get that slow cooker ready. If you have a liner, use it! Your future self will thank you when it comes to clean-up. Otherwise, a light spray with cooking oil works too.
2. **The Great Dump:** Place the chicken at the bottom of your slow cooker. Then, in no particular order, dump in the rinsed black beans, drained corn, salsa, taco seasoning, and chicken broth right over the chicken.
3. **A Little Mix-Up:** Give everything a gentle stir to make sure the seasoning and salsa coat the chicken and veggies. You don’t need to be a perfectionist here; it’ll all meld together beautifully.
4. **Set It & Forget It:** Pop the lid on! Cook on **LOW for 6-8 hours** or on **HIGH for 3-4 hours**. The cooking time can vary slightly depending on your crock pot, but the chicken should be fall-apart tender when it’s done.
5. **Shred It!** Once the chicken is cooked through, use two forks to easily shred it right there in the crock pot. Stir it all together with the saucy beans and corn. Voila!
6. **Serve It Up:** Serve this glorious mess over rice, in warm tortillas for tacos, on top of a salad, or even just in a bowl with a sprinkle of cheese. **Pro Tip:** A dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt and some chopped cilantro takes it to the next level!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• **Opening the Lid Too Often:** Every time you peek, your slow cooker loses heat, adding about 20-30 minutes to the cooking time. Resist the urge! Think of it as a mysterious treasure chest.
• **Not Draining the Cans:** Unless specified (which it’s not here!), always drain your canned beans and corn. Otherwise, your dish might end up a soupy mess rather than a delicious, thick filling.
• **Overfilling Your Crock Pot:** Most slow cookers work best when they’re 1/2 to 3/4 full. Too much and it won’t cook evenly; too little and it might dry out.
• **Forgetting to Turn It On:** This one seems obvious, but hey, we’ve all been there. Double-check that switch before you walk away for the day! There’s nothing worse than coming home to cold, raw chicken.

Alternatives & Substitutions

Feel free to get creative! This recipe is basically a blank canvas for your dinner dreams.

• **Different Proteins:** Not feeling chicken? You can totally use **pork shoulder** (cook longer until shreddable) or even **ground beef** (brown it first, then add).
• **Veggies Galore:** Add some diced onion, bell peppers, or a can of diced tomatoes (undrained for extra liquid and tang!) for more veggie power. Frozen mixed veggies work great too!
• **Spice It Up:** Want more heat? Throw in a diced jalapeño (seeds in for maximum fire!) or a pinch of cayenne pepper with the taco seasoning.
• **Seasoning Swap:** No taco seasoning? Try a mix of chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Adjust to your taste buds!
• **Make it Creamy:** Stir in a block of cream cheese (cut into cubes) during the last 30 minutes of cooking for a richer, creamier sauce. Yum!

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

• **Can I use frozen chicken?** You betcha! Just make sure they’re not frozen solid in a giant block. If they are, give them a quick rinse under warm water to separate them. No need to thaw beforehand, which is why this recipe is the MVP!
• **How long does this keep in the fridge?** Leftovers are awesome! It’ll be good for 3-4 days in an airtight container. Great for meal prep, FYI.
• **Can I freeze it?** Absolutely! Once cooled, portion it into freezer-safe bags or containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently.
• **What if I don’t have chicken broth?** You can just use water, or even a splash of beer if you’re feeling adventurous (and it’s not for the kids!). It just helps keep things from getting too dry.
• **My crock pot has different settings, what should I use?** If your crock pot has “warm,” “simmer,” etc., stick to the standard “LOW” or “HIGH” settings for cooking. “Warm” is for after it’s cooked through, not for cooking.
• **Can I add cheese directly to the pot?** You can, but it might get a bit clumpy or oily. IMO, it’s best to add cheese as a topping right before serving. Melts beautifully!

Final Thoughts

See? Told you it was easy peasy. Now you’ve got a fantastic, budget-friendly, and super-tasty meal that practically cooked itself. Go forth and conquer dinner, my friend! You’ve just unlocked a new level of culinary chill. Now go impress someone – or just yourself – with your new crock pot prowess. You’ve earned it!