Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe
This Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken is a flavorful, tender dish perfect for an easy, hands-off meal. The blend of lime juice, garlic, jalapeno, and spices creates a zesty marinade that cooks low and slow to infuse the chicken with vibrant Mexican-inspired flavors. It’s ideal for shredding and serving over rice, in tacos, or with vegetables for a delicious, versatile dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Marinade
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup lime juice
- 4 cloves garlic (peeled and smashed)
- 1 jalapeno (seeded and chopped)
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Chicken and Garnish
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: Place the chicken broth, olive oil, lime juice, garlic, jalapeno, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper into a food processor. Blend until the garlic and jalapeno are finely pulverized and the sauce is well combined, forming a smooth marinade.
- Layer the chicken: Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer at the bottom of the slow cooker crockpot for even cooking.
- Add the marinade: Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are coated well for maximum flavor infusion.
- Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on high heat for 3 to 4 hours or on low heat for 5 to 6 hours, until the chicken becomes very tender and shreds easily with a fork.
- Shred and mix: Using two forks, shred the chicken directly inside the crockpot. Add the chopped cilantro and toss everything together until well combined.
- Serve: Serve the shredded chicken warm immediately, perfect for a variety of meals such as tacos, bowls, or alongside vegetables.
Notes
- Seed the jalapeno if you prefer less heat; keep the seeds for a spicier dish.
- The marinade can be prepared in advance and refrigerated for up to one day.
- Using kosher salt enhances flavor balance, but adjust to taste if using table salt.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Find it online: https://lauracooks.com/slow-cooker-cilantro-lime-chicken-recipe/