Orange Soda Crockpot Chicken

2 pounds boneless chicken breasts, no skin
8 ounces diet orange soda
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp cocoa powder
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp grated orange peel
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1 Splenda packet
1 tbsp xanthan gum(thickening)

Rinse chicken, pat dry and cut into 1 1/2 inch chunks. In a crockpot, combine chicken, onion, garlic, orange pool, chili powder, cocoa, slplenda, cinnamon and cumin and mix lightly. Pour in orange soda. Cover and cook on low until chicken is very tender when pierced (about 6-7 hours)

Skim and discard fat from cooking liquid, if necessary. Then blend in the xanthan gum or other low carb thickener. Increase slow cooker heat to high. Cover and cook, stirring 2 to 3 times, until sauce is thickened(about 10 more minutes) Season to taste with salt.

What I did:

I used 1/4 cup minced onion, and used all the other seasonings as the recipe calls for. I wanted the orange soda to cover the chicken(I used 3 chicken breasts-didn't cut them up) So I used 2 12 ounce cans of diet soda. I am cooking this in a 375 degree oven ~ it should be done in about 3 to 3 1/2 hours. I haven't ever heard of xanthan gum so I will leave that out....I am sure that a little corn starch would work just fine, but I am going to try it without and see how it is.

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very interesting.....it didn't taste as spicy as I thought it would. My husband thought it was missing something. My son said it was ok but that is actually huge as he doesn't like alot of things. I am not sure how often I would make this but am thinking maybe I will make this again and double the spices as I used more soda than the recipe called for. Maybe using cornstarch would be a good idea. I like the idea of having a sauce to put on top of this(and also the rice)