Description
This Mexican Chicken Crock Pot Recipe is a flavorful and easy slow-cooker dish perfect for a comforting meal. Tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts are seasoned with a blend of spices, salsa, brown sugar, and fire-roasted tomatoes, then slow-cooked until juicy and easy to shred. The recipe offers the perfect balance of smoky, spicy, and sweet flavors, making it a versatile dish ideal for tacos, burritos, salads, or bowls.
Ingredients
Chicken and Oil
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce and Seasonings
- ½ cup mild salsa (or medium if you like it spicy)
- 3-4 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 (4 oz) can mild diced green chilies
- 1 (14.5 oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, drained (or regular)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground chipotle chili pepper (optional, for more heat)
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- Hot sauce to taste
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil thoroughly to ensure they do not stick and place them evenly in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Add Seasonings and Salsa: Add the mild salsa, brown sugar, diced green chilies, drained fire-roasted diced tomatoes, chili powder, salt, ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, black pepper, ground chipotle chili pepper (if using), and liquid smoke around and over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
- Cook the Chicken: Cover and cook the chicken on high for 2 to 4 hours or on low for 6 to 7 hours, until the chicken is tender enough to shred and infused with the smoky, spicy flavors of the seasonings.
- Shred the Chicken: Once cooked, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker to soak up the juices and sauce thoroughly.
- Reduce and Adjust: Continue cooking on low for an additional 20 minutes to let the shredded chicken absorb more of the liquid. Drain any excess liquid before serving. Taste and add hot sauce to your liking for an extra kick.
Notes
- For spicier flavor, use medium salsa and include the optional chipotle chili pepper.
- Brown sugar adds a subtle sweetness that balances the heat from the spices.
- Liquid smoke enhances the smoky flavor without grilling.
- Shredded chicken is perfect for tacos, burritos, salads, or rice bowls.
- Leftover chicken can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for longer storage.
