It took me three tries before I got these green tea cupcakes right. Imagine how much chocolate and cupcakes I had to go through before writing up that recipe! Food blogging is tough, isn’t it?
After eating all those cupcakes, chocolate, and frosting (plus some crispy roasted potatoes on the side), my body felt like it gained a brand spanking new spare tire. Let’s just say that things were not pretty. I don’t even want to talk about how my jeans felt.
So for the past two weeks, I’ve been a bit more carb conscious. Don’t worry, I’m not about to go all low-carb diet on you. I like eating bread too much for that. But there are those days when I feel that swapping out carbs for vegetables is just what I need to make my body feel better. Collard greens are fantastic for this. The leaves are so strong that you can use it as a wrap or fold it in half for tacos. If you’re not on top of this yet collard wrap train already, you need to get on it!
A few months ago, I saw this crock pot chicken tikka masala recipe on The Roasted Root that I’ve been eyeing for a looong time. I knew I had to try it because this is one of those set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker recipes that I have an acute fondness for lately. Unfortunately, I didn’t have all the ingredients in the recipe, so I adapted it into a curried chicken dish. Even though this isn’t a true tikka masala, the flavors of this curried chicken is purrrrfect!
Slow Cooker Curried Chicken Tacos with Avocado Crema
Ingredients
Slow Cooker Curried Chicken
- 2 pounds (900g) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 15- ounce (425g) can of diced tomatoes
- 1 TBS coriander seeds, ground
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp fresh ginger, chopped
- 1 1/2 tsp ground tumeric
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 3 chiles de arbol, roughly chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 star anise
- 1/2 cup (120ml) chicken stock
Avocado Crema
- 1 large ripe avocado
- 1/3 cup chopped cilantro, tiny handful
- 5 TBS low-fat yogurt
- 1 1/2 TBS lemon juice, I used meyer lemons
- 1 to 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Taco
- 1 bunch of collard greens, preferably with at least 8 leaves
- 1 large red pepper, thinly sliced
- 1/2 small head of red cabbage, thinly sliced
Instructions
- PREPARE THE CHICKEN: In a medium bowl, mix the chicken with the diced tomatoes, spices, and onions together, leaving out the star anise and chicken stock. Pour all the contents into a slow cooker. Add in the chicken stock and star anise. Set the slow cooker on low for 7 to 8 hours, or on high for 4 to 5 hours.
- PREPARE THE CREMA: When the chicken is about done, start making the crema. Blend all the crema ingredients in a food processor until everything is smooth. If sauce is a bit thick, add another tablespoon of yogurt.
- PREPARE THE WRAPS: Rinse the collard greens with water and pat them dry with paper towels. Trim off the tough stems.
- When the chicken breasts are cooked, shred them with a fork. Assemble the tacos by adding some chicken, red pepper, and red cabbage inside a collard green leaf. Top with some avocado crema.
- Store any leftover avocado crema in an airtight container. It should last for another 5 days. Remember to give it a quick stir before serving it again.
Notes
Looking for more slow cooker recipes?
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says
So healthy and utterly delicious looking! Something I could enjoy often.
Lisa says
Thanks, Michelle!
Paula Jones says
I love your idea of using collard greens as the wrap! Very genius. And your photos make me want to reach in the screen and take a bite!
Lisa says
Thanks!!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
This is really beautiful, Lisa! Love all the colors! I’ve got an extra tire too (damn valentine’s day candy), so this is just what I need right now!
Lisa says
Between my Christmas trip and Valentine’s Day, I might be working the double tires, now!
Sarah | Broma Bakery says
I totally know what you mean– sometimes after baking with so much flour/butter/sugar, you need a break! Kale salads are a favorite in our household. And these tacos look like the perfect healthy dinner! I looove curried chicken and am so wanting to try this version! Break out the slow cooker, here we go!
Lisa says
It’s funny how a lot of us revert to kale when we need a good cleanse!
Alanna says
Anything curry these days and I’m in! I’m starting to feel the sluggish side-effects of sweet overload and have been more mindful about those choices. Lately it’s more salty for me! This recipe looks delish!
Lisa says
Thanks, Alanna!
Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Cooking & Creating says
Look at all these vibrant colors! This sounds delicious and looks gorgeous!
Lisa says
Thanks, Kelly!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
You had me at avocado crema!! Pinned!
Lisa says
Thanks, Aimee!
Elizabeth @ Enjoy Every Bite says
These look so delicious! I totally agree that some days I just feel like going low carb – although I could never do that permanently. Like you said, bread is way too yummy!!
Lisa says
Thanks, Elizabeth! Where would I be without bread?
Florian @ ContentednessCooking says
Looks so delicious. And you had me the moment I read “avocado cream” – I love everything made from avocado.
Lisa says
Thanks, Florian!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yum! Chicken in the slow cooker will always make me happy! This is a perfect healthy wrap too! Love the flavors!
Lisa says
Thanks, Rebecca!
Kelley @ Chef Savvy says
Love that this is made in a slow cooker! Right up my alley! These tacos look so easy and loaded with flavor!
Lisa says
Thanks, Kelley!
Christine | No Gojis, No Glory says
Interesting coping mechanism you’ve got there Lisa. lol Maybe chocolate and cupcakes is better than reverting back to my 10 year old self and throwing a tantrum. The husband knows to steer clear of the kitchen when there’s been a major recipe fail. haha! Beautiful dish; loving all those colors.
Lisa says
Haha, people know to get away from me when recipes aren’t working out, too! I usually make a loud groan when that happens.
Katie @ Mom to Mom Nutrition says
What a delicious and beautiful looking recipe! I love that it’s made in the slow cooker too. My kind of dinner 🙂
Lisa says
Thanks, Katie!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
I absolutely love these tacos and need to make them soon! I love slow cooker recipes and that avocado crema sounds amazing!
Lisa says
Thanks, Ashley! Let me know how it goes!
Catherine says
Dear Lisa, Your Avocado Crema sounds wonderful. This is dish I know I would love. Looks beautiful and sounds so, so good! xo, Catherine
Lisa says
Thanks, Catherine!
Min says
I totally love the idea of using collard greens as the wrapper! And I sure wish I could perfect a recipe on a first try also…def has never happened. Happy New Year, Lisa 😉
Lisa says
Min!! Happy new year to you too! Haha, recipes often times don’t work on the first try for me!
Nutmeg Nanny says
Love the look of this dish! These curried tacos sound amazing!
Lisa says
Thanks, Brandy!!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
HAPPY CNY Buddy!!!
Saw these on instagram and had to come check it out- It looks DE-licious! You come up with the most amazing combos.
PS- You didn’t invite me to Mama Lin’s for dinner. I’m personally offended.
Lisa says
I know, I feel soooo bad now! It’s okay, Mama Lin always has time to cook up a big dinner. You’ll get an invite for sure. I don’t think I’ve properly wished you a happy new year yet, so Happy year of the goat/sheep/ram!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
love this healthier spin on tacos and wow!! that avocado crema looks sooo good!!! TGIF!!!
Lisa says
Thanks, Alice! I know, total TGIF!
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine says
These are such an amazing idea 🙂 I love lettuce/cabbage wraps, and eat them all the time. I am going to have to try to curry my chicken next time– Pinning this recipe! Beautiful colors on all your recipes.
Lisa says
Thanks, Michelle!
Maggie J says
This is the most creative dish I’ve seen in weeks. The collard green swap for tortilla is inspired and I bet it goes beautifully with the Indian-spiced chicken. Sheer brilliance!
Lisa says
Thanks, Maggie! I’ve been doing so many collard green wraps lately and making them into burritos or tacos. They’re perfect because they’re so sturdy!
KalynsKitchen says
Happy Monday! Just letting you know that I featured this recipe in my Deliciously Healthy Low-Carb Recipes Round-Up for last month. Hope a lot of my readers will click over here and try it!
Lisa says
Thank you again for including my recipe in your round-up, Kalyn! You’re too kind!