Description
A tender, juicy, and flavorful weeknight meal that comes together in under 10 minutes of prep. This slow cooker dish uses simple pantry ingredients to create a rich, smoky sauce perfect for tacos, bowls, or salads.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 small can (6 ounces) tomato paste
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 handful fresh cilantro, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse chicken and pat dry. Place chicken in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Dice onion and mince garlic. Scatter evenly over the top of the chicken.
- In a small bowl, whisk together cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Pour spice mix over chicken and onions.
- Stir tomato paste into chicken broth. Pour mixture over everything in the slow cooker. Liquid should come halfway up the chicken.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours. Do not lift the lid frequently.
- Remove chicken from pot. Skim excess fat from cooking liquid if desired. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Shred chicken using two forks or a hand mixer. Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
- Stir in lime juice and fresh cilantro. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
- Serve immediately in tortillas or bowls with desired toppings.
Notes
[‘For a thinner sauce, leave the lid off for the last 30 minutes on HIGH to reduce.’, ‘If the sauce is too thick, add a splash more broth.’, ‘Do not skip the tomato paste; it adds body and umami.’, ‘Be careful with salt as slow cookers concentrate flavors.’, ‘Use chicken pieces of similar size for even cooking.’, ‘Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.’, ‘Freezes well for up to 3 months; thaw in fridge before reheating.’]
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours (LOW) or 3-4 hours (HIGH)
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1/4 of
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
Keywords: slow cooker, taco chicken, weeknight dinner, easy meal prep, healthy chicken recipe, gluten-free option, family friendly