Crockpot Mexican chicken is slow cooked and well seasoned to give you an amazing punch of flavor! Dump a few simple ingredients into the crockpot and in about 3 1/2 hours you have juicy, tender, flavorful chicken breasts that can be shredded and used in an array of Mexican dishes.
Crockpot Mexican chicken or slow cooker Mexican chicken is one of our favorite recipes for our crockpot. Throw the chicken, peppers, onions and garlic into your crockpot and in about 3 hours, you can enjoy this moist and well seasoned chicken in any one of your favorite Mexican dishes. Delicious food does not get much easier than that. Use this chicken as your main ingredient to make chicken tacos, chicken quesadillas, chicken burritos, chicken enchiladas, chicken nachos or chicken and rice.
If you have searched the internet for “the best slow cooker Mexican chicken recipe,”you likely came across many that simply instruct you to place the chicken and salsa into the crockpot and cook for 3-4 hours. Simple and easy but you will be disappointed in your result. When we go out for Mexican food, there is nothing worst than eating a taco, burrito or enchilada that looks amazing but falls flat on flavor. Mexican cuisine is known for its loud and robust flavors and this recipe will not disappoint.
Our crockpot Mexican chicken recipe will take 5-10 minutes longer to prepare however, the additional flavor will be well worth the extra 10 minutes of preparation.
Is crockpot Mexican chicken easy to make?
Yes! Let the chicken sit in its rub for at least 30 minutes (if you plan ahead, add the rub and let sit in refrigerator overnight). Cut up ingredients, place the chicken in the crockpot, cover with cut up vegetables, salsa and seasonings and in 3-4 hours shred the chicken and return to the crockpot. It is that simple!
Can I use a whole chicken for this Mexican crockpot recipe?
We use 3-4 breasts for this recipe. If you prefer to use a whole chicken, that will also work. By using a whole chicken you will have to modify the cook time in the crockpot to about 6 -7 hours. We always recommend using a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is properly cooked.
I prefer salsa verde. What about crockpot salsa verde chicken?
If you prefer salsa verde, simply substitute salsa verde for the red salsa in our recipe. This recipe will work with salsa roja or salsa verde. We have prepared it with both salsas during the summer when tomatoes and tomatillos are available in our vegetable garden.
How do I make crockpot Mexican chicken for tacos?
Follow this recipe and fill soft or hard tacos with the shredded Mexican chicken. Top with your favorite Mexican cheese, lettuce, chopped tomatoes or your favorite taco toppings.
How do I make crockpot Mexican chicken quesadillas?
Follow this recipe and layer your favorite Mexican cheese on a burrito sized flour tortilla. Cover half the tortilla with cheese, then Mexican chicken and add another layer of cheese and fold tortilla in half to cover. Place on griddle or grill at medium heat until browned on both sides.
How do I make crockpot Mexican chicken burritos?
Follow this recipe. Lay a burrito-sized flour tortilla on a flat surface. Place Mexican cheese, Mexican chicken and any other filling you enjoy in a burrito. This could include rice, beans, pico de gallo, guacamole or whatever you imagine. Cover fillings with more cheese and roll the tortilla. Click here for more detailed instructions on how to fold a burrito.
How do I make crockpot Mexican Chicken enchiladas?
Follow this recipe. Cover a pan with enchilada sauce. Fill a burrito or fajita sized flour tortilla with your favorite Mexican cheese and the crockpot Mexican chicken and roll. Place filled tortillas into the pan and when all are filled, cover with enchilada sauce and cheese. Click here for detailed instructions on preparing an enchilada.
How do I make crockpot Mexican chicken nachos?
Follow this recipe. On a sheet pan, place nachos then layer with salsa, mexican cheese and slow cooker Mexican chicken. Place in oven until hot and cheese melts.
How do I make crockpot Mexican chicken pizza?
Follow this recipe. For your dough you have many options. You can use our 90 minute pizza dough recipe and make a full size Mexican pizza. Quicker options would include using pitas or naan bread as the base. Then top with crockpot Mexican chicken and your favorite Mexican cheese.
How do I make crockpot Mexican chicken and rice.
Follow this recipe. Separately, prepare white rice. When rice is cooked, place rice in bowls and cover with crockpot Mexican chicken and cheese.
Can I modify this recipe to make crockpot Mexican chicken and beans?
Absolutely. To modify, when you place the chicken in the crockpot cover with a can of beans. Black beans or red kidney beans will work well. Then cover beans with the cut up vegetables and cover all with salsa. Cook the same as directed in recipe.
Can I modify the recipe to make Mexican chicken thighs?
Yes. Simply substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts and cook the same as directed in the recipe.
Is a slow cooker a safe way to cook my chicken?
Yes, just follow all food preparation guidelines for cleanliness and food temperature. Please click this link for an article from the University of Minnesota.
Is crockpot Mexican chicken healthy?
The ingredients are chicken, peppers, onion, garlic, cilantro, salsa and seasonings. That lineup is a recipe for a very healthy meal. The trick is to avoid adding too much cheese when making your crockpot Mexican chicken taco, burrito, enchilada, nachos or Mexican pizza. A little cheese is fine, just use in moderation. Consider adding other healthy items such as beans or lettuce.
What is the difference between a crockpot and an Insta-pot?
The quick answer is that a crock pot is a slow cooker, cooking foods at a lower temperature for a few hours until done. Crock pots have been around for a long time. Insta-pots are newer and can slow cook foods. However, insta-pots also pressure cook foods allowing you to cook a meal in a fraction of the time when compared to using traditional methods. Here is a good summary of the differences and benefits of each.
How to make crockpot Mexican chicken
Slow cooker or crockpot Mexican chicken is one of the easiest, tastier and versatile meals we have shared. Once prepared you can use it to enjoy a multitude of popular Mexican dishes.
Start with putting the rub on the chicken. We use chicken breast but you can use thighs or a whole chicken if you desire. For the rub use your favorite Mexican rub. I have found some interesting ones at times at our local Marshalls, TJ Maxx and Home Goods. We love Spicewalla seasonings. For the best results, let the chicken sit in the refrigerator overnight with the rub. However, if you dont have the time, let the chicken sit with the rub for 30 minutes.
While the chicken sits and accumulates the flavors of the rub, cut up the peppers, onions, garlic and cilantro. You can leave them in chunks as they will be emulsified when the chicken is cooked. For a more complex flavor, we recommend using a mix of different peppers such as poblano, jalapeño, habanero or any others you can find. Also consider using a dried ancho or pasilla pepper for a completely different flavor.
When all the vegetables are cut up, place the chicken in the slow cooker. Then cover with the vegetables and salsa. Beans are also an option if you prefer Mexican chicken with beans. At this point, close the lid and place the slow cooker on high. Cook for 3-4 hours. The time will depend on the size of the breasts.
After 3 hours check the chicken with a meat thermometer. If it’s 150-155F remove the chicken and shred. While chicken is removed, you can use an emulsifier in the slow cooker or pour the liquid and vegetables into a blender and purée. You can strain the liquid if you prefer a smoother sauce.
Return chicken and sauce to the slow cooker and let combine for 30-45 minutes. Enjoy on its own over a bowl of rice or prepare your favorite Mexican dishes using the crockpot Mexican chicken as its base. Options are tacos, Mexican pizza, burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas and nachos.
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Crockpot Mexican Chicken
8
servings10
minutes3
hours30
minutesThis crockpot mexican chicken can be used to make all your favorite Mexican dishes! It’s simple and loaded with Mexican flavor. It’s better than takeout!
Ingredients
3 large chicken breasts
1 medium onion cut into wedges
1 poblano seeded and roughly chopped
1 green jalapeño seeded and roughly chopped
1 red jalapeño seeded and roughly chopped
1/2 red or orange pepper seeded and roughly chopped
2 large garlic cloves sliced
3 slices habanero (optional) use more or less depending on your taste for heat
1 cup salsa (use your favorite)
1 tsp oregano
1 Tbs chili powder + more for seasoning chicken
1/4 tsp cumin
1/3 cup Loosely packed cilantro leaves
1 lime juiced
Directions
- Sprinkle chicken breasts with chili powder on both sides. Let sit in refrigerator for 30 minutes or leave overnight.
- While chicken is marinating, cut the onions, garlic and all peppers. Make sure to seed the peppers.
- Once chicken is marinated, turn crockpot on high. Add the chicken breasts to the bottom of the crockpot. Add the onions, garlic and all peppers. Continue to add the salsa, all seasonings, lime juice and cilantro.
- Place cover on. Cook for approximately 3-4 hours on high or until chicken reaches a temperature of 150-155 degrees F.
- Remove the chicken and shred with a fork. Set aside.
- In the crockpot, use an immersion blender to blend the sauce and chunky vegetables until smooth or place the chunky sauce into a blender and blend until smooth. Return the sauce to the crockpot.
- Dump the shredded chicken back into the crockpot with the blended sauce and cook for another 30-40 minutes on low or until most of the liquid is absorbed. There you have it! Enjoy in any one of your favorite Mexican dishes or over a bed of rice. Make ahead and enjoy a quick weeknight meal.
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