Crockpot Mexican Shredded Chicken
This delicious, healthy slow cooker recipe is as easy as it is versatile. This flavor-packed chicken is perfect for burrito bowls, lettuce wraps, or over a bed of flavorful cilantro-lime rice.
Makes 8 servings
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
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.
Farm Girl Tips
Tip: Don’t skip the squeeze of fresh lime juice after cooking. It really brightens the flavors and pulls them all together.
Don't have a fresh jalapeno? Jarred jalapenos work as a great substitution!
Nutrition
Serving: 1grams | Calories: 145kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 156mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g
