That’s how the song goes, right??
But for real, we are in the heat of summer here in Ohio and cooking on the stove or in the oven is just not in the cards right now. And apparently, I’m not the only person who feels this way because this month’s Recipe Redux theme is all about beating the heat and keeping your kitchen cool during the hot summer months.
So, how exactly do keep your kitchen cool (and NOT live off of take-out)? Well, the first (and probably most obvious) option is to load up on no-cook meals. I often find myself naturally gravitating towards sandwiches, salads, and smoothies during the summer months. But, after a while the allure of no-cook meals inevitably wears off and the craving for a nice home cooked meal sets in. So, what’s a gal to do?
Two words: Slow. Cooker.
It may seem a little counterintuitive at first to be breaking out the slow cooker in the middle of summer. After all, this appliance is notorious for its role in creating hearty comfort meals to enjoy during the winter months. But did you know that your crockpot is capable of so much more than just soups and stews?!
It’s true. In fact, the slow cooker happens to be one of my favorite hassle-free ways to cook tender, juicy chicken breasts. Not only do I love how easy it is (just set it and forget it!), but I also love that it requires minimal handling of raw meat. And if you’ve been hanging around here for a while now, then you likely already know how I feel about cooking meat.
This time around, I decided to put a refreshing summery twist on crockpot chicken by tossing in a chopped up mango that I had hanging out in my fridge. I offset the sweetness of the mango with a little dash of spicy sriracha and it turned out SO good! Just the perfect amount of heat to add some flavor without making you sweat anymore than you already are in the 90+ degree heat.
I’ve been on a serious taco kick lately, so naturally I served the shredded Sriracha Mango Chicken on corn tortillas and topped with a quick and easy Citrus Mango Slaw. If you’re not into tacos (gasp!) or don’t have any tortillas on hand, this would also be great served up on a hamburger bun as a pulled chicken sandwich.
Be sure to check out all the other Recipe Redux recipes in the link-up below and let me know your best tips for staying cool in the summer heat in the comment section below!
Slow Cooker Sriracha Mango Chicken Tacos w/ Citrus Mango Slaw
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 2 lb chicken breast boneless, skinless
- 1 red bell pepper chopped (~1 cup)
- 2/3 cup yellow onion sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 mango chopped (~1 cup)
- 1 lime juiced
- 4 tsp Sriracha sauce
- 1/2 cup coconut milk*
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1/4 tsp salt
For the slaw:
- 1/2 red bell pepper chopped (~1/2 cup)
- 2 scallions thinly sliced
- 1 lime juiced
- 1/2 red (or purple) cabbage thinly sliced (~2 cups)
- 1 mango chopped (~1 cup)
- 1/2 cup cilantro chopped
- 1/4 tsp salt
- corn tortillas for serving**
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in a 6-qt. slow cooker. Add remaining chicken ingredients and toss several times to coat. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4, until chicken is cooked through and falls apart easily.
- While chicken is cooking, prepare the slaw. Add all ingredients to a medium bowl and mix until combined. Refrigerate slaw until ready to use.
- Once chicken is fully cooked, remove from slow cooker and shred using two forks. Return to slow cooker and toss with juices. Cover and keep warm until ready to serve.
- Once you're ready to assemble the tacos, strain the juices from the chicken. Add about 1/4 cup shredded chicken to the center of each tortilla and top with the slaw mixture.
Notes
Tara | Treble in the Kitchen
LOVE the idea of doing meat in the slow cooker for tacos. Such a perfect warm weather meal π
Kara
Thanks Tara! Makes for super tender and juicy chicken!
Alison's Allspice
I love the sriracha mango combo! Sounds delicious!
Kara
Thanks Alison! I’m all about the sweet and spicy combo π
Brynn at The Domestic Dietitian
I love tacos but never think about making the chicken in the slow cooker…genius!
Kara
I tried it once and never looked back.. it makes the whole process so simple!!
Sarah @ Bucket List Tummy
These are gorgeous and sound super delicious. A great way to utilize the crock pot in the summer!
Kara
Thanks, Sarah! When it comes to summer meals, I’m all about easy and fresh! And these tacos definitely fit the bill π
Karman | The Nutrition Adventure
Such a fun flavor combination! So easy too! π
Kara
Thanks Karman! The slow cooker does all the work so you don’t have to π