Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken

JUMP TO RECIPE

This Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken is such an easy recipe! You can easily add this to burrito bowls or pile it high on tortilla chips to enjoy. This is the best Mexican food and flavor ever!

Shredded chicken garnished with fresh cilantro.

The best part about this Slow Cooker Mexican shredded chicken is that it’s such an easy crock pot recipe. There are so many different ways that you can use this great recipe, and I’m bound and determined to get through them all!

If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy these Mexican Shortbread Cookies as a fun and sweet treat!

Table of Contents

Why you’ll love this Crockpot Mexican Chicken

Perfect for pairing with chipotle peppers, green chilies, chili powder, or anything that you want
An excellent way to make chicken enchiladas for the first time
A great way to meal prep a large batch of this chicken for use later in the week

Ingredients for one of my favorite Mexican Chicken recipes

Ingredients for Mexican shredded chicken including black beans, hickory liquid smoke, and jalapeno peppers on the countertop.

Boneless skinless chicken thighs – You can use boneless chicken breasts as well.
Fired roasted tomatoes and green chilies – These are great options, but you can use less spicer versions, too.
Black beans – Great for added extra protein and texture.
Garlic – Garlic powder or minced garlic works great.
Jalapeno pepper – This will add some spice to your family dinner!
Hickory liquid smoke – The easiest way to add a smokey flavor.
Ground cumin – The flavor of cumin lasts a long time.
Chili powder – You can leave this out if you don’t want heat.
Smoked paprika – Regular paprika works just fine, too.
Dried oregano – Great for adding flavor to many slow cooker recipes.
Cayenne pepper – Kicks up the heat!
Salt and black pepper – To taste.
Limes – Adding lime juice adds a great citrus flavor.
Fresh cilantro – Fresh cilantro and a little bit of sour cream on top are so good!

How To Make Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken

The complete list of ingredients, quantities, and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.

Step One: 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.
Step Two: Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours. 30 minutes before cooking, remove the 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 the chicken to absorb the flavors.
Step Three: 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.
Step Four: To serve, spoon chicken mixture over plain brown rice or cilantro-lime rice. Even top with cilantro-lime sauce if desired. Serve with remaining lime wedges. Enjoy!

How to Store

Once this easy slow cooker chicken is done cooking, let it cool down and store it in an airtight container. You’ll be able to enjoy these Mexican chicken thighs the next day and enjoy every bite.

Make sure that you eat leftovers within 2-3 days for the best flavor.

Tips and Tricks

Be sure that you use this recipe to make crockpot chicken tacos! Pair with cheddar cheese, brown rice, rotel tomatoes, refried beans, and more!

FAQs

What is the best way to serve this slow cooker chicken?

I love making this during Cinco de Mayo, but you can eat it anytime you want. Serve it with taco shells, on top of a salad, or make a double batch of this recipe and create a delicious dinner.

Can I add other ingredients?

You can. It’s simple to add diced sweet potatoes, pinto beans, or even diced bell peppers. This is one of my go-to recipes because it’s so versatile.

Shredded chicken with rice on the side sitting on a white plate.

What to serve with Shredded Slow Cooker Chicken

This dish is so versatile and would be great with so many things! Options are always great!

If you need even more pairing ideas, try these: Cilantro-Lime Rice, Mediterranean Inspired Quinoa Salad, Spicy Slow Cooker Chili

Need more Mexican recipes? Try these:

Did you make this recipe? Or any other delicious recipes on my site? If so, please leave a ★★★★★ star rating and drop a 📝 comment below! Ensure you’re not missing a thing; you can subscribe to my newsletter and follow along with me on Pinterest, Facebook, and X (Twitter)! for the latest updates, recipes, and content.