Tex-Mex Chicken Freezer Meal

Hey, amazing parents and foodies! Today, I’m dishing up a Tex Mex Chicken recipe that’s a flavor-packed winner and a game-changer for busy households. Picture this: tender chicken infused with the bold, irresistible taste of Tex Mex. It’s a party for your palate!

It’s a genius make-ahead meal that’ll have you thanking your past self when you pull it out of the freezer on those days when time is in short supply.

Imagine a busy weekday evening when your little ones are craving something delicious, but you’re swamped with work and activities. That’s where this Tex Mex Chicken truly shines. By preparing it ahead of time and stashing it in your freezer, you’re basically creating a culinary time machine! All it takes is a little thawing and cooking, and you’ll have a piping hot, homemade Tex Mex feast on your hands.

What sets this dish apart is its versatility. You can serve it in tacos, over rice, as a filling for burritos, or even as a hearty salad topper. It’s a crowd-pleaser that effortlessly adapts to your family’s tastes.

So, gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and let’s embark on a Tex Mex adventure that’ll simplify your mealtime routine without compromising on taste or quality. Get ready to make memories around the dinner table, one Tex Mex Chicken freezer meal at a time!

Why you’ll love this Freezer Meal Ideas Tex-Mex Chicken

• Comfort Food Appeal
• Family Friendly 
• Easy Preparation 
• Versatility
• Time Saving
• Customization

Tex Mex Chicken Freezer Meal Recipe

Hannah Stewart

Imagine a busy weekday evening when your little ones are craving something delicious, but you're swamped with work and activities. That's where this Tex Mex Chicken truly shines.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4 Adults

Equipment

• 1 crockpot
• 1 gallon freezer bag

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

Ingredients:

• 2-3 lbs chicken thighs Boneless/Skinless
• 2 tbsp corn starch
• 1 green pepper
• 1 yellow onion
• 1 1/2 cup salsa heat preference of choice
• 1 cup black beans
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

For serving

• 2 cups rice uncooked
• Favorite taco toppings

Get ingredients with

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

 

Freezer Prep Directions:

• Prepare a gallon freezer bag, labeling according to your preferred method. 
• Add all ingredients, except for serving ingredients, to the freezer bag.
• Seal bag, removing as much air as possible, and freeze for up to three months.

Slow Cooker Directions:

• Thaw freezer bag in fridge 12-24 hours before cooking.
• Dump contents of freezer bag into slow cooker.
• Cook on low 4-6 hours.
• Remove chicken, shred, stir back into slow cooker.
• Serve over basmati rice or in tortillas. Optional: Serve with your favorite taco toppings.

Instant Pot Directions

1. Dump the contents of the freezer bag into the Instant Pot, add 1/2 cup water.
2. Set to High Pressure for 20 minutes, then allow a 10-minute natural release followed by a quick release. 
3. Shred chicken in pot, stir to ensure everything is coated with sauce. 
4. Serve over basmati rice or in tortillas. Optional: Serve with your favorite taco toppings.

Dietary Adjustments

Make it Gluten-Free:

• Ensure your taco seasoning is gluten-free.

 

 

Make it Dairy-Free:

• This recipe is naturally dairy-free.

Freezer Labels

Tex Mex Chicken Freezer Meal Printable Label

Keyword Chicken Recipes, crockpot dinners, Fast and Easy Dinner

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Equipment needed to make Quick and Easy Tex-Mex Chicken

• 1 crockpot
• 1 gallon freezer bag

Ingredients for your Tex-Mex Chicken

• 2-3 lbs Boneless/skinless chicken thighs
• 2 tbsp Corn starch
• 1 Green Pepper, cut into 1-inch strips
• 1 Large Onion, cut into 1-inch strips
• 1 1/2 cup Salsa personal preference
• 1 cup Black beans
• 2 tsp Garlic powder
• 1 tsp Ground cumin
• 2 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Black pepper
• For serving
• 2 cups Uncooked rice

How to make a Tex-Mex Chicken

Prep/freezer directions:

1. Label Freezer bag with Recipe name, cooking from freezer directions and expiration date (todays date plus three months).
2. Add all ingredients to labeled freezer bag, except black beans.
3. Seal bag, removing as much air as possible and freeze for up to three months.

Cooking directions:

1. Thaw overnight in fridge or in the morning in water (meal may not be 100% thawed but that is ok).
2. Dump contents of freezer bag into slow cooker.
3. Cook on low 4-6 hours.
4. During the last hour of cook time add in black beans.
5. Remove chicken, Shred, stir back into slow cooker.
6. Serve over basmati rice or in tortillas* (cauliflower rice if paleo). Serve with your favorite taco toppings.

What to serve/pair with your Tex-Mex Chicken Freezer Meal

Sides:

• Guacamole and Chips 
• Mexican Street Salad
• Fiesta Slaw

Desserts:

• Choco Tres Leches
• Sopapilla cheesecake bars 
• Mango Margarita Sorbet

Mocktails:

• Virgin Margarita
• Cucumber Lime Cooler
• Hibiscus Ginger Sparkler

Popular Substitutions and Additions

Substitutions:

• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs: Swap the bone-in chicken thighs with boneless, skinless chicken thighs. This reduces the saturated fat content while still providing the delicious chicken flavor.
• Homemade Taco Seasoning: Make your own taco seasoning mix using a blend of spices like chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder without added salt or preservatives. This allows you to control the sodium content.
• Brown Rice or Quinoa: Substitute rice for brown rice or quinoa to increase the fiber content and make the meal more filling while providing complex carbohydrates.

Additions:

• Extra Vegetables: Incorporate additional vegetables like diced tomatoes, spinach, or zucchini to boost the meal’s nutritional value and add more vitamins and fiber.
• Avocado: Top the Tex Mex Chicken with slices of ripe avocado before serving. Avocado provides healthy fats and a creamy texture that pairs wonderfully with Tex Mex flavors.
• Greek Yogurt or Low-Fat Sour Cream: Instead of regular sour cream, consider using Greek yogurt or low-fat sour cream as a topping. These options are lower in saturated fat and offer a creamy, tangy element to your dish.

By making these substitutions and additions, you can create a healthier version of Tex Mex Chicken that retains its delicious taste while reducing saturated fat and increasing the nutritional value of the meal.

How to Reheat and Store Tex-Mex Chicken after cooking

Best way to store Healthy Tex-Mex Chicken leftovers?

The best way to preserve the freshness of your Tex Mex Chicken leftovers is to allow your meal to cool down completely before storing it. This helps prevent moisture build up in the container, reducing the risk of bacterial growth.

Do not leave your meal out for more than 2 hours. When you go to store, use airtight containers and transfer the leftover Tex Mex Chicken into containers or resealable plastic bags. Make sure to also portion out your leftovers if you do not plan on reheating the batch.

How long will Tex-Mex Chicken last in the fridge?

With proper storage in the right containers and a cool down process followed, your leftover Tex Mex chicken should be in the fridge for 3-5 days. Ensure that the temperature in your fridge is set at or below 40 degrees.

Can I freeze Chicken Tex-Mex after cooking?

Absolutely, if you feel that you will not be able to use your leftover Tex Mex Chicken and want to freeze your leftovers, follow the same process as you would to store in the fridge.

Allow leftovers to cool completely, portion out your leftovers into meal-sized portions. This makes it easier to thaw and use only what you need later on. When you go to package your leftovers for freezing, use either airtight containers, or freezer bags. Label your leftovers, then freeze.

If you are looking to make this recipe a raw freezer meal, dump all the ingredients, except the beans, into a single freezer bag, remove as much air as possible from the bag, and then freeze. Label your bag for 3-6 months, and you are good to go.

How to reheat Make Ahead Tex-Mex Chicken?

When you are ready to use your leftovers, there are a few ways that you can reheat your food appropriately. For a quick individual serving, use the microwave. Place your leftovers in a safe-dish, cover it with a lid or plastic wrap and heat in 30 second intervals, stirring in between until its heated through.

If you are not in a pinch with time, use the stovetop. Simply add your leftovers into a saucepan, add a splash of broth or water to the saucepan to prevent sticking. Occasionally stir your leftovers until desired temperature has been reached.

If you are looking to cook from frozen, make sure to thaw out your leftovers in the fridge overnight, and follow the same procedures for microwave or Stovetop.

Tex Mex Chicken for Busy parents FAQs

Other Chicken Recipes you’ll love!

• Curry Chicken
• Cashew Chicken
• Savory Chicken Thighs
• Chicken Noodle Soup
• Ranch Chicken Tacos

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Don’t forget to come back and let me know how your Tex-Mex Chicken turned out!