Crockpot Recipe from Pinterest: Buffalo Chicken Dip

This crockpot recipe was from Balancing Beauty and Bedlam. I can't really tell you much about this blog because I've only looked at the recipe for Buffalo Chicken Dip. Sorry. 

So, I really dislike it when recipes are for crockpots, but they require you to pre-cook something. That totally undermines the appeal and purpose of crockpot cooking. In my mind, a crockpot recipe means you toss everything in it and go.

This recipe called for pre-cooked, shredded chicken. Instead of precooking the chicken, I just put it in the crockpot first, then when I got home I shredded the chicken, still in the crockpot. Also, I didn't mix the cheeses and hot sauce together. I also didn't use bleu cheese, just ranch, because I like it better. I didn't soften the cream cheese, I just put it all in the crockpot, turned it on low, and left for work. I was gone about 7 hours in total. After shredding the chicken,  I stirred everything together really well, and put the remaining cheese on top. Then I did some chores: starting laundry, getting the mail, checking Facebook... the normal stuff.

It turned out really well. It's no KK Buffalo Chicken Dip, but it's still a great recipe and easily adaptable to your needs and preferences.

BUffalo Chicken Dip

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups finely shredded chicken, 
• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup dressing (Mix and match Ranch/Bleu Cheese)
• 3/4 cup pepper sauce
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (Your favorite – Cheddar, Bleu, Mozzarella, Mexican blend etc.)
• 1 (8 ounce) box crackers, pita chips, Frito Scoops (your favorite)
• 1 bunch celery, cleaned and cut into 4 inch pieces (for a light serving option)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Mix softened cream cheese until smooth.
2. Stir in dressing, and hot sauce, then add chicken to combine.
3. Heat in a skillet or microwave, until well blended and warm.
4.  Mix in half of the shredded cheese, and transfer the mixture to a mini slow cooker.
5. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top, cover, and cook on Low setting until hot and bubbly. If you do not have a crock pot, just melt cheese in oven or microwave.
6. Serve with your choice of crackers and/or celery sticks, if going light.

For oven only variation, Mix all ingredients,except reserve half of the shredded cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for  15 minutes, then sprinkle remaining cheese on top and bake for five additional minutes.

Preparation time: 5 – 10 (Goes very quickly with cooked chicken)

Cooking time: 20 minute(s)

Number of servings (yield): 12

Crockpot Success! Chicken Fajitas

I love my crockpot. Actually, I have two... but our family is small right now so I only use one to cook. I'm sure I'd love the other one too, once we have room to use it, and people to feed with it.

I'm slightly obsessed with finding recipes to use in the crockpot. My husband and I like eating, and we're not too great at eating healthy, so I decided to try to reverse that. We'll still love eating, but we'll eat healthier. Part of this is that I'm going to do all I can to sit down and plan meals, get the shopping done, and it will be ready to go. No desperately hoping I have ingredients to make something as I drive home in rush hour traffic. No last minute ditch to go get Cook Out because it's cheap and delicious (and fried).

This weeks crockpot success is Chicken Fajitas from Stacymakescents online. I found the recipe via a 100 days of no processed foods pin on Pinterest. Here's the deal though, I have a bad memory and could have sworn I had cumin. No cumin. However, my husband had a spice container labeled "Fajita Seasonings" so I put a bunch of that in. (I'm a fan of eyeballing when it comes to cooking some things). The other substitution I did was I put a squirt of Tabasco instead of lime juice. (I hate citrus, unless you are eating an orange straight up. Don't use it to flavor anything.)

I am declaring it a success. I put mine on a tortilla with just a bit of sour cream and nothing else. I was surprised at how good they tasted! Go ahead and try it out. It's a keeper!