Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken with Cilantro Lime Rice

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, and topped with creamy cilantro-lime sauce (recipes below).

Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken

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 Rotel 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

Directions:

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, chili 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 (recipe below) if desired. Serve with remaining lime wedges. Enjoy!

Cilantro-Lime Rice

Transform boring, basic rice into something extraordinary with the addition of a few fresh ingredients. In this recipe, lime and cilantro are paired to create a classic flavor combination that brings added depth to your dishes.

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 45-55 minutes
Serves: 6

Ingredients:

3 c. cooked rice*
3 T. fresh lime juice
2 t. lime zest
3 T fresh cilantro, chopped
Salt and black pepper, to taste

* Can use white, brown, or jasmine rice. (Brown rice is shown in the images).

Directions:

1. Prepare rice according to package directions.

2. Fluff cooked rice with a fork and stir in fresh lime juice, lime zest, and cilantro until blended. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste, and serve immediately.

Creamy Cilantro-Lime Sauce

For best results, prepare the cilantro-lime sauce the night before you need it to give the flavors a chance to blend. Planning ahead will also save time on those busy nights you want to get dinner on the table as quickly as possible.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: n/a
Serves 4

Tip: You can also prepare the fajita seasoning in larger batches and store in an airtight container for later use.

Ingredients:

Homemade Fajita Seasoning:

3 T. chili powder
1½ T. smoked paprika
2 t. onion powder
2 t. garlic powder
2 t. ground cumin
½ t. cayenne pepper
1 t. dried oregano
2 t. sea salt

Cilantro-Lime Sauce:

1 c. plain, full-fat Greek yogurt
1-2 T. homemade fajita seasoning
1 clove garlic, peeled and finely minced
2 T. fresh cilantro, finely chopped
2 T. fresh lime juice
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Prepare the fajita seasoning by combining all ingredients in a small bowl and stirring until thoroughly blended. Store any excess in an airtight container for later use.

2. Prepare the cilantro-lime sauce by thoroughly combining all ingredients in a medium glass or other non-reactive bowl. Cover and place in the refrigerator until ready to use.