Crockpot Cilantro Lime Chicken

Shredded cilantro lime chicken on a white plate with cilantro and a lime wedge.

This easy Crockpot Cilantro Lime Chicken is a flavorful slow cooker dinner made with tender chicken, fresh cilantro, zesty lime juice, garlic, and simple spices. Serve the shredded cilantro lime chicken in tacos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, salads, or over rice for an easy family meal.

Course Dinner, Slow Cooker

Cuisine American, Mexican

Keyword crockpot cilantro lime chicken, shredded cilantro lime chicken

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 6

Total Time 6 10

Servings

Calories 190kcal

Author Jessica - Together as Family

Equipment

Ingredients

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3-4 large pieces)
¼ cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon honey
2 teaspoons fresh lime zest
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
¼ teaspoon black pepper

To Add Later

¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

Instructions

Lay the chicken breasts in a single layer in a large crockpot (6QT to 8QT size).
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
In a small bowl whisk together the chicken broth, fresh lime juice, honey, and lime zest until combined. Pour it over the chicken in the crockpot.
¼ cup chicken broth, 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, 1 tablespoon honey, 2 teaspoons fresh lime zest
Sprinkle the dried seasonings evenly over the chicken.
1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Cover and cook on LOW heat for 4-6 hours or until the thickest part reaches 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.
Transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board and shred with two forks, or transfer it to a bowl and use an electric hand mixer to shred it on medium-low speed.
Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and add the fresh cilantro and fresh lime juice. Stir everything together until the chicken is well coated in the cooking juices and lime juice.
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro, 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Serve the cilantro lime chicken in tacos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, or over rice with your favorite taco toppings.

Notes

Adding most of the lime juice and all of the cilantro after cooking keeps the flavors fresh and bright instead of letting them fade during the long cook time.
I recommend using fresh chicken breasts, but if you're using frozen chicken breasts, make sure they are completely thawed and patted dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
For quick perfect shredding, place the warm cooked chicken breasts into a large bowl and use a hand mixer on medium-low speed, to shred the chicken to your desired "shredness". I sometimes also just shred the chicken breasts with a hand mixer right in the slow cooker and that works fine. Another option that works well is placing the chicken on a plate and using two forks to shred it.
To make this spicy add diced jalapeño (either fresh or canned), cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, or your favorite hot sauce. You can also serve the chicken with spicier ingredients for toppings such as shredded Pepper Jack cheese, spicy salsa, and sliced jalapeños.
You can substitute chicken thighs for the chicken breasts using the same amount. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work very well in this recipe and tend to stay especially juicy in the slow cooker.

Nutrition