Description
Spicy slow cooker Mexican chicken dances with zesty flavors, bringing bold southwestern comfort to dinner tables. Tender shredded meat and rich spices promise a simple, delicious meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 pounds chicken breasts or thighs
Protein Volume/Weight Measurement:
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chiles
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Liquid and Flavor Enhancers:
- 0.5 cup tomato sauce
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Optional Garnish and Serving:
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Sliced avocado
- Sour cream
- Tortillas
- Rice or cauliflower rice
Instructions
- Nestle chicken pieces into the slow cooker basin, creating an even layer for uniform cooking.
- Drizzle lime juice over the chicken to enhance flavor and tenderize the meat.
- Sprinkle taco seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin evenly across the chicken surface for robust, balanced seasoning.
- Pour salsa and diced tomatoes over the seasoned chicken, ensuring complete coverage and moisture.
- Season with salt and pepper to amplify the overall taste profile.
- Cover and cook on low temperature for 6-7 hours or high temperature for 3-4 hours until chicken becomes incredibly tender and easily separates.
- Remove chicken and use two forks to shred meat into delicate, bite-sized pieces.
- Return shredded chicken back into the cooking liquid, stirring to incorporate all flavors and maintain moisture.
- Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro for a vibrant, aromatic finish.
- Serve in warm tortillas, over fluffy rice, or wrapped in burritos for a versatile Mexican-inspired meal.
Notes
- Ensure chicken is fully submerged in liquid for even, tender cooking and to prevent drying out.
- Use low-sodium taco seasoning and salsa to control salt intake and customize flavor intensity.
- For a gluten-free version, verify all packaged ingredients are certified gluten-free before adding to the slow cooker.
- Swap chicken with plant-based protein like jackfruit or tofu for a vegetarian alternative that absorbs similar flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours (on Low) or 4 hours (on High)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 195 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 370 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg