Boomerang Chicken–Instant Pot (or slow cooker) chicken in a creamy sauce with Rotel tomatoes that’s spooned over chili cheese Fritos and topped with cheese, cilantro and tomatoes.
Boomerang Chicken
You’ll keep returning back to this chicken again and again like a boomerang! I kept sneaking bites over and over. The chicken in a creamy sauce with onions, mushrooms, cream cheese and Rotel is completely wonderful on its own. But when it is combined with the Fritos, cheese, cilantro and tomatoes it is brought to a new level of yumminess. The combination of creamy, spicy, and crunchy makes for a delightful meal perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Whether you’re using fresh or frozen chicken, this dish delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Enjoy!
Recipe adapted from boomerang chicken on food.com.
Ingredients/Substitution Ideas
- Olive oil–or canola, vegetable
- Onion
- Mushrooms
- Garlic powder
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Cumin
- Chili powder
- Smoked paprika
- Chicken broth–or water and Better than Bouillon chicken base
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs–frozen is okay, you can also use chicken breasts
- Rotel–I used mild
- Cream cheese
- Cornstarch
- Colby and monterey jack cheese blend–or cheddar
- Chili cheese Fritos–or tortilla chips
- Cilantro
- Diced tomatoes
Steps
Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says HOT add in the oil and swirl it around. Add in the onions and mushrooms and saute for 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic powder, salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder and smoked paprika.
Pour in the broth and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Turn off Instant Pot.
Add in the chicken. Dump Rotel and cream cheese on top.
Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 10 minutes for fresh chicken or 12 minutes for frozen chicken. When time is up let pot sit for 10 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
Break up the chicken. In a small bowl stir together the cornstarch with 2 Tbsp of water. Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. Stir the cornstarch mixture into the pot to thicken the sauce. Once thickened turn off Instant Pot.
To serve add a handful of Fritos to a plate, top with the chicken mixture, a spoonful of cheese, some chopped cilantro and diced tomatoes. Enjoy!
Notes/Tips
- Serve with a side of black beans and cilantro rice.
- This recipe is gluten free.
- I used my 6 quart Instant Pot*. You can also make this in a 3 or 8 quart pot.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container* in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Other recipes you can make with cilantro are cilantro lime chicken and busy wife delight.
Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.? Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.
Boomerang Chicken
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (plus 10 minute NPR)
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Instant Pot (or slow cooker) chicken in a creamy sauce with Rotel tomatoes that’s spooned over chili cheese Fritos and topped with cheese, cilantro and tomatoes.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup diced onion
- 4 ounces chopped mushrooms
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/8 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 20 ounces boneless skinless chicken thighs (frozen is okay)
- 1 (10 oz) can Rotel (I used mild)
- 3 oz cream cheese
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch
- Colby and monterey jack cheese blend
- Chili cheese Fritos
- Cilantro
- Diced tomatoes
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions:
- Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says HOT add in the oil and swirl it around. Add in the onions and mushrooms and saute for 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic powder, salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder and smoked paprika.
- Pour in the broth and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Turn off Instant Pot.
- Add in the chicken. Dump Rotel and cream cheese on top.
- Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 10 minutes for fresh chicken or 12 minutes for frozen chicken. When time is up let pot sit for 10 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
- Break up the chicken. In a small bowl stir together the cornstarch with 2 Tbsp of water. Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. Stir the cornstarch mixture into the pot to thicken the sauce. Once thickened turn off Instant Pot.
- To serve add a handful of Fritos to a plate, top with the chicken mixture, a spoonful of cheese, some chopped cilantro and diced tomatoes. Enjoy!
Slow Cooker Instructions:
- Heat a pan over medium high heat. Add in the oil and swirl it around. Add in the onions and mushrooms and saute for 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic powder, salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder and smoked paprika. Transfer to the slow cooker.
- Add in the broth, chicken, Rotel and cream cheese.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.
- Stir and break up the chicken.
- In a small bowl stir together the cornstarch with 2 Tbsp of water. Stir the mixture into the slow cooker and cook on high without the lid until sauce has thickened.
- To serve add a handful of Fritos to a plate, top with the chicken mixture, a spoonful of cheese, some chopped cilantro and diced tomatoes. Enjoy!
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Instant Pot or Slow Cooker
More Instant Pot recipe with Fritos…
Instant Pot Walking Tacos
Try walking tacos if you need a quick meal on the go! Tacos are served straight from a bag of Doritos. This is a great meal for family reunions, camps, parties or just a family dinner. Clean up is fast and easy!
Chicken Crunchwrap Supreme (Instant Pot)
Layers of seasoned chicken, cheese, crunchy Fritos, sour cream and salsa all wrapped in a golden crispy tortilla. Make the chicken fast and easy in your Instant Pot!
Instant Pot Frito Pie Chili
All the flavors from frito pie except in the form of stew. This delicious chili is made really fast and all in one pot using your Instant Pot. You might want to double this recipe and have it for lunch all week!
Instant Pot Frito Chicken Casserole
Creamy chicken casserole with corn, beans and green chiles. It’s topped with a crispy Frito cheesy topping.
*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Another banger! I cook dinner daily pretty much from your site. My guys loved this. Thanks Karen!
nice! I love hearing this Jennifer. Thank you 🙂