Slow Cooker 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.

Tip: Don’t skip the squeeze of fresh lime juice after cooking. It really brightens the flavors and pulls them all together.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 3–8 hours
Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:

2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 10-oz. cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes & green chilies, undrained
2 15-oz. cans black beans, rinsed and drained
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1 small jalapeno pepper, finely diced
1½ T. hickory-flavored liquid smoke
2 t. ground cumin
1 T. chili powder
1 t. smoked paprika
2 t. dried oregano
1 t. cayenne pepper
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2 limes, quartered
¼ c. fresh cilantro, chopped

Unroll and add chicken thighs to bottom of a 5 or 6-quart slow cooker crock. Top with tomatoes, black beans, garlic, jalapeno pepper, liquid smoke, cumin, chilli 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 done cooking, 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.

Remove lid and squeeze fresh lime juice into the crock. Add cilantro and stir to combine. Season with additional salt and black pepper, if desired.

To serve, spoon chicken mixture over plain brown rice or cilantro-lime rice. Top with cilantro-lime sauce if desired. Serve with remaining lime wedges. Enjoy!

Chicken Fajita Wraps with Creamy Cilantro-Lime Sauce
Bone-In Pork Chops with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Skillet Tri-Tip Steak

One-Skillet Creamy Chicken Quinoa with Peas
Sweet & Sour Pork Chops with Peppers & Pineapple
Cheesesteak Lettuce Wraps

Smothered Mediterranean Pork Chops    Cashew Chicken Wraps
Chili Lime Mahi–Mahi with Blackened Broccoli

One-Skillet Lemon Chicken with Summer Squash
One–Skillet Cheesy Sausage & Peppers    Crispy Salmon with Herb Butter

Maple-Balsamic Boneless Pork Chops   Lemon-Garlic Jumbo Shrimp
Rosemary Lemon Boneless Chicken Thighs

Boneless Pork Chops with Creamy Chive Pan Sauce
Baked Chicken & Rice Casserole
Parmesan Haddock with Fresh Tomatoes and Basil

Spicy Turkey Stuffed Mushrooms    Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet
Pork and Cabbage Skillet

Pineapple Beef Stir-Fry    Herb Mustard Sirloin Steak
Mozzarella Butterflied Chicken Breasts with Balsamic Glaze

One Pot Spicy Pork and Sweet Potato Stew
Spicy Black Bean Taco Wraps with Fresh Guacamole
Spicy Pineapple Pork Roast

Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken
Slow Cooker Beef Broccoli    Spicy Slow Cooker Chilli

Stuffed Eggplants (Aubergine) with Pomegranate 
Stuffed Beef Tenderloin with Portobello Mushrooms
Lemon Pepper Roasted Chicken with Potatoes

Pecan Crusted Pork Chops with Plum Sauce
Orange-Cranberry Bone-In Chicken Breasts
Apple Butternut Squash Casserole with Bacon-Pecan Topping

Rosemary Garlic Beef Tenderloin    Pineapple Beef Stir-Fry
One-Skillet Honey Applesauce Pork Roast

Tuscan Pork Chops with White Beans and Crispy Sage
Cast Iron Shepherd’s Pie    Cast Iron Carne Asada

Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs    Cheesy Gluten-Free Chicken Cutlets
Mediterranean Grouper with Tomato-Cucumber Salad

Roasted Spaghetti Squash    Low Carb Chicken & Red Cabbage Stir Fry
Pizza-Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Loaded Cabbage Steaks With Blue Cheese Dressing
Pork Scallopini with Mushroom Gravy    Vegetable Pad Thai