Easy Cinco de Mayo Meal Idea With Parsippany-Bought Ingredients

For the record, Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican Army's victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla, on May 5, 1862. I admit having had to look this up myself. Now, onto sharing my dinner plans.

A quick run to the Parsippany Target yesterday and some corn from our Foodtown bought last week, and we're prepped with some Mexican-inspired food for dinner tonight. I spent around $20 and this can easily feed 5-6 people.

You'll need:

- A package of chicken breasts (enough for your family)
- Your preferred type of taco shells
- Rice (I chose Target's Archer Farms Cilantro Lime)
- Taco Seasoning (or follow a recipe like this one)
- Corn

Toppings of your choice (suggestions)
- Cheese (Mexican mix)
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
- Salsa
- Onion

Place chicken into the slowcooker for 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 on high. Before closing lid sprinkle the whole package of taco seasoning over the top. I do not add any liquid to the slowcooker. If using the pressure cooker, it should be 6 minutes on high if fresh or 10 minutes if frozen, along with the necessary liquid (I find 2 cups is better to prevent the dreaded "burn" necessitating a re-start) and I'd give it about 45 minutes before dinner to allow for pressurizing and release. Ensure chicken is cooked through with whatever method you use.

Approximately half an hour before your dinner time, prepare rice according to package directions. Bring water to boil and approximately 10 minutes before serving dinner drop corn into boiling water for around 5-7 minutes. Use this active cooking time to prep your table by gathering your side dishes. I typically like to use my large cutting board and make a board with shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, diced onion and I either shred or slice the chicken breast. I also grab serving spoons for the salsa and the sour cream and ready the tortillas on our dinner plates. Drain the corn and bring that and the rice to the table.

Or, if you're headed out, I really enjoyed the delicious Quesadilla burger at Applebees on Route 46 that I tried last night.

Enjoy!