Some dishes are just not photogenic. I made this dish last week and the family just gobbled it up and it got raves all the way around. So when I went to take a final “plating shot” I scattered some cilantro over the top of it and thought, “you know, this is just like putting lipstick on a pig.” HA! But mind you, this slow cooker dish is just the ticket for a bowl full of creamy, cheesy, chicken-noodley goodness. You will be licking that bowl clean! (And even better, this recipe is completely versatile!)
WARNING: Unpleasant food photos ahead. Really, there is nothing very appetizing to look at while making this dish. But the taste…! And yes, I am making fun of my photography, because sometimes it just works out that way. 😉
Lipstick on a Pig Texas Chicken Spaghetti
1 large boneless, skinless chicken breast (mine was 12 ounces, and frozen!)
Salt or Mrs. Dash and ground pepper, to taste
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup diced tomatoes (canned or otherwise, with liquid)
1 roasted Hatch chile, peeled, seeded, and diced (or sub with 2 tablespoons of canned diced green chiles)
2 1/2 cups homemade chicken stock (or sub low-sodium store-bought broth)
4 ounces spaghetti noodles, uncooked
2 ounces cream cheese
1 1/2 cups grated cheese, any kind (I used half Gruyere and half sharp cheddar)
1 teaspoon New Mexico chile powder (or regular)
1 teaspoon lime juice
Cilantro, for garnish (the lipstick on the pig!)
Season the chicken breast with salt or Mrs. Dash and pepper, to taste, then add to the crockpot. I actually added mine in frozen, no need to defrost — really!
Chop up the onion and peel and dice that roasted pepper. Wait, you don’t have a roasted Hatch chile pepper sitting around? Canned is fine.
Toss in the onions, tomatoes, chiles and chicken stock/broth. (And I used turkey stock, see how I am?) Cover and cook on high for 4 hours.
Remove chicken breast and cover with foil until cool enough to handle. Shred the chicken with a fork and add back to the crockpot.
Grate your cheeses. No, don’t grate the cream cheese.
Break the uncooked noodles in half and add to the pot along with with the cheeses, chile powder and lime juice.
Stir around as best you can, then cover and cook for another half hour to an hour until the noodles are done. Give it one final stir to incorporate well, then serve in bowls garnished with lipstick, um, cilantro. 😀
Well no wonder I couldn’t find the pig or the lipstick. 😉 I actually think it looks pretty darned tasty! Mega hugs!
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OMG you should have seen most of my shots I had to delete. Thank you so much Teagan, sometimes it’s fun to make fun of myself. (and yes it was pretty darned tasty!) Hugs back!
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OH and I have to dash off to a memorial service, but I’ll be back to read your post later today!
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Memorial service? Oh I’m sorry Kathryn. My condolences. ❤
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Thank you Teagan. ❤
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Unphotogenic food. Ha ha LOL. That’s how all mine looks. But the taste is what counts, right?. Sounds good and easy to make, Kathryn. 🙂
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LOL thank you Diana, it really was pretty easy and good, too. xoxo
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KR too funny…I will admit I have not tried to make chicken spaghetti in the slow cooker only baked in the oven. You can’t go wrong with chicken and cheeses no way…
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Thanks Cheryl, I’m sure it is much prettier baked than slopped all together in the crockpot. 😛
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Hey the family loved it right? SO its a win-win!
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hehehehe…this looks good:) some dishes are just hard to shoot, really challenging! I think you did an amazing job on this one:)
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Thank you Freda, I was sure having fun making fun of myself. You should see the shots I did NOT include! 😀
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😛😛
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Now, that I have a crockpot I can make your spaghetti . Yeah😄
It is hard making good photos of food, I often struggle!
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You will love cooking in your crockpot, Gerlinde!
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I think it looks great and I’m partial to lipstick on pigs. Love this dish, it sounds and looks delicious. It’s a must try!!
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LOL Suzanne, but thank you! XOXO
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I think it looks really good 😀😀
Definitely one to try in winter
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Aww, thank you TIM! xo
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I am still smiling as I think on this recipe! Love love love the title! I find it is so hard on many dishes to make them look all gorgeous! Love this post and recipe!! xoxo
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Thank you so much Lynn! When life gives you lemons…. (but it was really good, though!) XOXO
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hahaha I love this, I was just telling my daughters about my friend KR and read them the story and recipe!xoxo
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Oh my gosh, thank you so much! I am so glad we have hooked up!
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me too!! xoxo
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Looks delicious
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Why thank you!
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Wow! Wow! Wow! I still feel this looks very appetising! Great recipe! Would love to try it soon
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Thank you Lin! xo
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This dish sounds so good! I get what you mean about food photos. If the food is too white it does not usually photograph very well. However, that does not affect the taste! YUM. Thank you.
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Thank you Michelle! Any type of casserole is my bane, specifically one made in a crockpot! Yes, the taste was VERY good! 🙂
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Some dishes just don’t photograph well but that is no pig, my dear. 😀 It looks and sounds delicious.
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LOL Karen, why thank you so much!
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Hahha I loved the name of this dish 😀 Btw… I think the photo is really good!
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Why thank you, I appreciate it!
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WOW that looks amazing!
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Thank you Michelle! 🙂
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❤
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I would say your pictures are awesome! They made me think of trying this delicious recipe, so it worked 🙂
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Ha ha, amazing how many people have said that. I really thought I took some bad photos this time.
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And thank you!!!
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Well, now I will never sprinkle on some cilantro without thinking “Lipstick!” It’s the taste that matters, Kathryn, and this dish has got it in spades!
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Ha, I know! Thank you so much Stacy! XOXO
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This recipe sounds great and I don’t think the photos are bad. I know. I’ve taken some pretty awful photos of pasta and, I’m sure, will continue to do so. I would be proudly include your shots in a post — I’d ditch the lipstick, though. Not a fan of cilantro. 🙂
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HA! Thank you John. There are a lot of people who don’t like cilantro. It’s one of those love or hate herbs. 🙂
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Love the title …so funny! I also like using the crock-pot. It makes cooking so much easier.
I’m putting this in my recipe folder to find and make this winter.
I think you did a great job on the images.
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Thank you so much for your kind comments! I do love my crockpot too, but I’ve never thought the photos ever come out elegant, lol! I hope you enjoy it this winter. 🙂
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I know there’s a lot to food photography! Color choices, serving dishes, lighting, and plating the food! It’s fun, but not always easy.
I just printed the recipe to take to the market with me. 🙂
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You have some beautiful photos on your website! And thank you!
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Oh wow, thank you so much for that lovely compliment!
Your welcome! 🙂
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