Description
This Easy Crockpot Mexican Shredded Chicken recipe features tender, juicy chicken breasts slow-cooked with a flavorful blend of chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and smoky chipotle peppers. Perfect for tacos, burritos, salads, or meal prep, it’s a simple and hands-off dish ideal for busy days.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt (omit if chili powder includes salt; adjust salt to taste after cooking)
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
- Cooking spray or vegetable oil (for searing)
Sauce and Flavorings
- 1 (14-oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 tablespoon chopped canned chipotle chilis in adobo sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped, grated, or minced
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, mix together chili powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, salt, and cayenne pepper if using. Sprinkle this spice mix evenly over the chicken breasts, massaging it into the meat to coat thoroughly.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add a spritz of cooking spray or drizzle a small amount of vegetable oil. Sear each side of the chicken breasts for about 2 minutes until browned and fragrant, which locks in flavor and juices.
- Add to Crockpot: Transfer the seared chicken breasts to the crockpot insert. Add the diced tomatoes with green chilies, chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, and minced garlic. Toss lightly to combine all ingredients around the chicken.
- Cook Slowly: Cover and cook on high for 2 to 2.5 hours or on low for 4 to 5 hours until the chicken is tender and easily shredded with two forks.
- Shred and Serve: Once cooked, shred the chicken directly in the crockpot using two forks. Mix well with the sauce before serving to incorporate all the flavors.
Notes
- This recipe yields juicy, fall-apart Mexican chicken that’s perfectly spiced and ready to be served in tacos, burritos, bowls, or salads.
- Adjust the salt and cayenne pepper to your preference for spice and seasoning.
- Searing the chicken before slow cooking adds a delicious depth of flavor but can be skipped for convenience.
- This dish freezes well; store in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
- Use gloves when handling chipotle peppers to avoid irritation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 4.5 oz cooked chicken with sauce)
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
