Making a batch of CrockPot Mexican shredded chicken in the slow cooker is a healthy dinner with oodles of options! Use the shredded chicken recipe for tacos, enchiladas, salads and more.
You guys, I have SO MUCH love for this shredded chicken recipe. The flavor is off the charts and it's one of those easy slow cooker dump recipes I know we all need in our lives.
We're talking slow cooker Mexican chicken thighs, a rich and smoky tomato sauce, creamy black beans, and just the right blend of spices to make this farm girl's mouth water just thinking about it.
Is it authentic Mexican shredded chicken? I honestly don't know but I can tell you this...
This recipe is 100 percent on rotation in my household and word on the street is that others dig what we're making here, too!
Until a few months back, I was totally on team chicken breast. You know, the boneless, skinless chicken breasts we all buy at the grocery store.
Then, I tried using boneless skinless chicken thighs in the slow cooker.
My world was changed. I always thought I was only a white meat chicken girl but after tasting the difference in texture, taste and moisture in the crockpot chicken thighs, I was a changed woman.
So if you haven't tried chicken this way, give it a shot.
Ingredients in Crockpot Mexican Shredded Chicken
It really doesn't get much easier than Mexican shredded chicken in the crock pot . To your slow cooker, add chicken thighs, two cans of Rotel-style tomatoes, black beans, garlic, jalapeno, and spices!
Once the chicken is cooked it's so tender it shreds easily with two forks.
What to serve with shredded Mexican chicken
First of all, let's talk toppings. We've got our salsa, sour cream, and maybe a little lime for topping!
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There are so many fun and healthy variations in this chicken crockpot recipe! You can make burrito bowls and serve over slow cooker brown rice or cilantro lime brown rice.
For dessert, how about a Mexican fruit salad?
Use the shredded chicken to make chicken tacos, or top mixed greens and make a Mexican Chopped salad.
Or, make a batch and divide it into microwave safe containers to use it for easy lunch meal prep all week long!
Whichever option you choose, be sure to add some shredded cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt and fresh cilantro. It's one of our favorite things!!
Other crockpot recipes you'll love:
- Slow Cooker Shredded Buffalo Chicken
- Healthy Meat Sauce with Vegetables
- Slow Cooker Chicken Fajita Soup
Other recipes you'll love:
When you make this crockpot Mexican chicken recipe, leave a comment or review below. I'd love to hear from you!
Crockpot Mexican Shredded Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 10 oz. cans Rotel fire-roasted diced tomatoes & green chilies undrained
- 2 15 oz. cans black beans rinsed and drained
- 3-4 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 small jalapeno pepper finely diced
- 1.5 tablespoon hickory-flavored liquid smoke
- 2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper to taste
- Salt and black pepper
- 2 limes quartered
- ¼ c. fresh cilantro chopped, for garnish
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Instructions
- Place chicken thighs in the bottom of a 5 or 6-quart slow cooker. Top with tomatoes, black beans, garlic, jalapeno pepper, liquid smoke, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, and cayenne pepper.
- Season with salt and black pepper, to taste. Stir to combine, making sure the chicken thighs are coated and submerged in the liquid.
- Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours. 30 minutes before serving, remove lid and shred chicken while in the slow cooker with two forks. Stir to combine shredded chicken with other ingredients. Cover and cook for remaining 30 minutes to allow chicken to absorb the flavors.
- Squeeze fresh lime juice into the crock. Season with additional salt and black pepper, if desired.
- To serve, spoon chicken mixture over plain rice or cilantro-lime rice. Serve with remaining lime wedges or cilantro.
TO MAKE AS A FREEZER MEAL
- Label a gallon sized freezer bag. Add chicken, tomatoes, black beans, garlic, jalapeno pepper, liquid smoke, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, and cayenne pepper. Remove excess air and lay flat to freeze.
TO COOK FROM FREEZER MEAL
- Thaw and cook as outlined above.
Notes
Nutrition
This Farm Girl Cooks is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Erin says
there is an option to double the recipe (4 lbs chicken) will this fit in the crock pot? looking forward to trying this
Kristin Cochran says
Instead of shredding the chicken with 2 forks, try this--remove the chicken from the crockpot after it's done cooking. Place it in a large mixing bowl and use an electric handheld mixer to shred it. Much quicker and more efficient!
Marcela Keefe says
I need 5 times this account, have you ever supersized it?
Peter says
Hi Deanne, Peter again.....no crock pot...any tips on using a dutch oven for the recipe?
I am doing a taco party and all your recipes sound great but only have a dutch oven!
Thanks,, Peter.
Deanne Frieders says
No crockpot? I didn't know that was possible!!! :). Yes, you could make the same recipe in a dutch oven. Cook at 375 degrees until the temp of the chicken reaches 165 degrees when measured with a meat thermometer.
Sandi Gluckle says
Can this be made a week or 2 before you need it and then thawed and heated. Need it for a party and am trying to cook ahead.
Deanne Frieders says
Hi Sandi, absolutely you can. Enjoy!!
Neha says
Wow I never tried making shredded chicken at home. You made it sound doable and easy! Totally trying it out!
Mirlene says
Another MUST TRY RECIPE. Great flavor. Filling. and Comforting.
Mirlene says
Another MUST TRY RECIPE. Great flavor. Filling. and Comforting.
Katherine says
SO many amazing flavours and so easy in the crockpot!
Katherine says
SO many amazing flavours and so easy in the crockpot!
Krissy Allori says
This was so good and so quick and easy. Perfect for a busy weeknight.
Alison says
I love a good crockpot recipe this time of year! The Mexican spices in this dish are fantastic!
Krissy Allori says
This was so good and so quick and easy. Perfect for a busy weeknight.
Alison says
I love a good crockpot recipe this time of year! The Mexican spices in this dish are fantastic!