
Ingredients
- 2 pints diced, fire-roasted tomatoes
- 2 small cans green chiles
- Large onion, sliced thin
- 1 each red and orange bell pepper, sliced thin
- 2 green bell peppers, sliced thin
- 2 pints corn
- 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs (or a combination!)
- 1/3 cup fajita seasoning
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
Directions
- In a slow cooker, layer half your measurements of tomatoes, green chiles, onion, bell peppers, and corn. Lay chicken on top, and add half your fajita seasoning. Top chicken with remaining tomatoes, green chiles, onion, bell peppers, corn, fajita seasoning, and minced garlic.
- Cover and slow cook all day on low or half a day on high.
- Thirty minutes before serving, remove 1 to 2 cups of the juice from the slow cooker. Remove chicken and shred (it should just fall apart at this point). Return shredded chicken to fajita mixture.
- Serve with tortillas, Mexican-blend cheese, sour cream, rice, and guacamole.
Growing up, I always heard people say “it takes a village” when raising children. As an adult, I’ve come to realize it doesn’t just take a village to raise babies – it takes a village to raise up a quality community full of homesteads and farms. And feeding that community good food ensures folks will help when homestead projects need doing.
Whether it’s a backyard potluck, a community dinner, or a farm project that calls the neighbors over to help, both Southwest-style recipes will feed a village. Not quite feeding a village? No problem. These recipes are perfect for making freezer meals as well.
This recipe is one I initially got to experience after having my fourth child. To help while we adjusted to life as a family of six, some neighbors started a food train for our family for the first week after the baby was born. This meal is, to this day, the one that stands out most. I’ve since adjusted it to my family’s liking and added more flavor. Not a huge fan of chicken? Just substitute a beef roast and have yourself some beef fajitas. Either way, I’m sure you’ll love them!
Note: If you worry about the heat of this dish with the green chiles, add 1 tablespoon honey. Although, I don’t add honey, and my children have never complained of it being too spicy.
Easy Meals for Family Gathering
Cream Cheese Brown Sugar Dip Recipe
There y’all have it, recipes to fill a community with nutritional and flavorful food. Community is more than just the roads and buildings. It’s about our connection with people. What better way to connect than around a table, in your neighbor’s backyard, or on a project? No matter the reason for your gathering, one thing always remains: Where there’s good food and good company, there’s sure to be great memories made. Enjoy!
Originally published as “Southwest Potluck Dinners” in the July/August 2024 issue of Grit magazine and regularly vetted for accuracy.