Tex-Mex Chicken Freezer Meal – My Family Dinner (2024)

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Gluten Free

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

Equipment needed to make Quick and Easy Tex-Mex Chicken

1 crockpot
1 gallon freezer bag

Ingredients for your Tex-Mex Chicken

2-3lbsBoneless/skinless chicken thighs
2tbspCorn starch
1Green Pepper, cut into 1-inch strips
1Large Onion, cut into 1-inch strips
1 1/2cupSalsapersonal preference
1cupBlack beans
2tspGarlic powder
1tspGround cumin
2tspSalt
1tspBlack pepper
For serving
2cupsUncooked rice

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How to make a Tex-Mex Chicken

Prep/freezer directions:

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

Cooking directions:

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

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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

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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.

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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

What is special about Tex Mex Chicken?

Tex-Mex cuisine is special for its unique fusion of Texan and Mexican flavors. It combines the bold, hearty flavors of Texas with the traditional techniques and ingredients of Mexican cuisine.

Tex-Mex dishes are known for their vibrant, zesty, and comforting qualities, featuring ingredients like chili, cheese, beans, and tortillas. What sets Tex-Mex apart is its adaptability, making it a crowd-pleasing cuisine that offers a wide range of dishes suitable for various tastes.

What are 3 common dishes from Tex-Mex?

Three common Tex-Mex dishes are Enchiladas, Tacos, and Quesadillas. Enchiladas are Tortillas rolled around a filling (often meat, cheese, or beans), smothered in chili sauce, and baked. Tacos are tortillas filled with various ingredients, such as seasoned meat, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese.
Quesadillas are tortillas filled with cheese and sometimes other ingredients, folded, and grilled until the cheese melts.

Why is it called Tex-Mex?

The term “Tex-Mex” is a linguistic blend that tells the story of a rich cultural and culinary exchange along the border between Texas and Mexico. It’s a name that not only signifies a style of food but also combines the history and heritage of a region.

The blending of these two culinary worlds resulted in a vibrant and unique cuisine. It became known as “Tex-Mex” to acknowledge both of the Texas and Mexican influences. The term not only denotes a style of cooking but also symbolizes the cultural melding that occurred along the border.

How did Tex-Mex originate?

Tex-Mex cuisine originated in the mid-19th century along the Texas-Mexico border. It evolved as Mexican immigrants and settlers adapted their traditional recipes to the ingredients available in Texas, incorporating elements of Texan cooking.

This fusion gave birth to Tex-Mex, characterized by its distinctive flavors, ingredients, and cooking techniques.

Is Tex-Mex spicier than Mexican food?

Tex-Mex is often spicier than traditional Mexican food, as it frequently uses chili peppers and spicy seasonings like chili powder.

However, the level of spiciness can vary depending on individual preferences and regional variations within Tex-Mex cuisine. Tex-Mex is adaptable to personal preference when it comes to spices.

What is the difference between Tex-Mex and Mex?

The main differences between Tex-Mex and Mexican cuisine are the ingredients, flavors, and techniques used. Tex-Mex incorporates ingredients like yellow cheese, beef, and chili con carne, which are less common in Mexican cuisine.

Mexican food tends to emphasize fresh ingredients, a wider variety of chilies, and traditional cooking methods, while Tex-Mex is known for its heartier, more robust flavors.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when Making a Tex-Mex Chicken recipe?

The are a few common mistakes you will want to avoid when making a Tex-Mex Chicken. One, the heart of Tex-Mex lies in its vibrant flavors. Don’t be shy with your spices. Use cumin, chili powder, and paprika. Next, overcooking the chicken is a mistake to avoid. Dry chicken is a no-go. Also, be sure to avoid ignoring the freshness of Tex-Mex. Fresh cilantro, limes, and tomatoes can turn your dish from good to great.

What are some side dishes that pair well with Tex-Mex Chicken?

Here are some sidekicks that complement Tex-Mex Chicken recipes. Cilantro Lime Rice, Black Bean Salad, Grilled Corn on the Cob, Guacamole and Chips, or a Roasted Vegetables.