Slow Cooker Chicken Chili is low-effort, but full of zesty chile, cilantro and lime flavor! With only about 10 minutes prep, you can enjoy this deliciously moist shredded chicken in your favorite salad, wrap or burrito.
(Note: This recipe was originally published in 2019, and updated in 2020 to make the instructions more clear and informative.)
I’m always in search of easy and delicious chicken recipes that would work well for meal prep. And if its a slow cooker recipe that’s even better, because they are easy and I don’t have to babysit them during the cooking process. But, a lot of times chicken (especially chicken breasts) come out really dry in the slow cooker – so not appealing! But I found a way around that with this recipe for Slow Cooker Shredded Chile Chicken!
This Slow Cooker Shredded Chile Chicken recipe is great for meal prep because it’s really versatile: you can add the chicken to salads, wraps, tacos, etc. And it’s super flavorful and juicy so you will still look forward to eating it mid-week!
The Secrets to Moist Chicken Breast in the Slow Cooker
The first, most important secret is to cook the chicken for way, way less than you would think you need to. I’m talking only around three hours on low. Honestly that’s all you need! (Or maybe even less than three hours, see the discussion “How Long Should I Cook the Chicken?” below.) Chicken breast isn’t like pot roast – it won’t get more tender the longer you cook it. It will just keep getting drier and drier, and nobody wants that!
The other secret is to use the cooking liquid to your advantage here! Since it’s so flavorful, just add some back into the shredded chicken at the end to get the most perfect, flavorful and moist slow cooker chicken you have ever tasted!
Ingredients
The ingredients are chicken breasts, a can of diced green chiles (for flavor and moisture, you can use hot or mild), plus some seasonings: chili powder, cumin, garlic powder and salt. At the end of cooking you will also add in the juice of one lime and some chopped cilantro. Although, if you don’t like cilantro you can leave it out.
What Slow Cooker (Crock Pot) Should I Use?
It’s important to use a larger crock pot/slow cooker that allows you to spread the chicken in one even layer in the bottom of the crock pot. That way, each piece will have contact with the heating element at the bottom of the pot. If your chicken is piled together, there is a risk some spots won’t get cooked enough. I used a 6 quart slow cooker and the chicken fit perfectly in one layer.
How to Make Slow Cooker Shredded Chile Chicken
Here’s a step by step guide on how to make this recipe:
Step One: Cut Chicken Into Large Chunks
You will need two pounds of chicken breast. Cut them into large pieces (into thirds for small chicken breasts, or quarters for larger ones). Cutting the chicken up allows the seasoning to be in contact with more surface area of the chicken and helps to cook the chicken more evenly (since the heat doesn’t have to penetrate all the way to the center of a large chicken breast while the outside gets overcooked).
Step Two: Add to Slow Cooker with the Spices
Place the chunks of chicken into the bottom of a 6 quart crock pot. Add the cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt on top. Use tongs to stir the chicken and spices so the chicken is evenly coated in the spices. Make sure none of the spices have collected in the corners of the crock pot, they should all be coating the chicken. Once the chicken is coated in all the spices, spread them in one even layer on the bottom of the crock pot. This is important for even cooking!
Step Three: Add the Chiles on Top and Cook
Now just dump the entire can of green chiles on top of the chicken layer, including the liquid from the can. Try to spread the chiles evenly across the top of the chicken. Then just set the crock pot and let it do its thing!
How Long Should I Cook the Chicken?
Since each slow cooker/crock pot is a little different, the exact cooking time may vary. Three hours on low is a good place to start. But ultimately, you need to cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. In my crock pot, the chicken reached 168 degrees after 2 ½ hours.
If you check the chicken temperature after 3 hours and it hasn’t quite reached 165, cook for another 30 minutes and then check again. Don’t keep checking every few minutes, because every time you lift the lid of the crock pot, more heat is escaping.
Step Four: Remove the Chicken and Chop the Cilantro
I added these two steps together because it’s convenient to chop the cilantro while the chicken is cooling down. Remove the chicken with a slotted spoon onto a cutting board. I like using a slotted spoon so you can scoop out as many of the chiles as possible too. And do not discard the cooking liquid from the crock pot! This is very important!
While the chicken is cooling down on the board, chop the cilantro. You can also slice your lime to prep for squeezing!
Step Five: Shred the Chicken
When the chicken is cool enough to handle, shred it up and place into a medium sized bowl. I like using my hands for this, but you could use two forks too if you want. Or even just chop up the chicken if you don’t feel like fussing, that would be easier and faster, and would taste just as good!
Step Six: Add the Cilantro, Lime Juice and Cooking Liquid
Ok we are at the final step! Now all you need to do is add the chopped cilantro in with the shredded chicken and squeeze in the lime juice. Give that a good stir.
Now go back to the crock pot and scoop out some of the cooking liquid and add it in with the chicken. Keep adding the liquid in, stirring in between each spoonful, until the chicken is moistened to your liking. I added about six tablespoons of liquid into mine.
And that’s it! You have a whole bowlful of delicious, flavorful shredded chicken to add to your favorite dishes. This would be great in a taco salad, burrito, or wrap! I hope you enjoy this recipe and that it saves you some precious time making lunches this week!
If you need another delicious and easy/fast chicken idea, check out my recipe for 30 Minute Chipotle Chicken Tacos! And even more ideas here:
PrintSlow Cooker Shredded Chile Chicken
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 – 6 servings 1x
- Category: main course
- Method: slow cooker
- Cuisine: American
Description
Deliciously tender and flavorful shredded chicken seasoned with green chiles, chili powder, cumin and garlic. Perfect for easy meal prep lunches!
Ingredients
- 2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 7 oz. can diced green chiles (mild or hot)
- 1 ½ tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 2 tsp. chili powder
- 1 tsp. cumin
- juice of 1 lime
- ¼ c. chopped cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Cut chicken breasts into large chunks (approximately into thirds for small chicken breasts and quarters for large chicken breasts).
- Add chicken pieces to the bottom of a 6 quart slow cooker. Add the salt, garlic powder, chili powder and cumin on top. Use tongs to stir the chicken and spices until all of the spices have evenly coated the chicken.
- Evenly distribute the spiced-covered chicken pieces into one layer in the bottom of the slow cooker. (Chicken pieces should not be piled on top of each other.) Pour the green chiles, including the liquid from the can, evenly over the chicken.
- Cook for 3 hours on low or until the internal temperature of the chicken pieces reaches 165 degrees. (See “How Long Should I Cook the Chicken?” in the blog post for a discussion of cooking time variations.)
- Remove the chicken and chiles from the crock pot with a slotted spoon and place on a cutting board to cool down. Do not discard the cooking liquid in the crock pot! While chicken is cooling, chop the cilantro and cut lime in half.
- When cool enough to handle, shred or chop the chicken and add to a medium bowl. Squeeze the lime juice into the bowl and add in the cilantro. Add in as much liquid from the crock pot as you like to moisten the chicken to your personal taste.
Keywords: slow cooker shredded chicken, crock pot shredded chicken, easy slow cooker chicken, slow cooker chile chicken, crock pot chile chicken, Mexican slow cooker chicken, Mexican crock pot chicken, crock pot chicken breast, slow cooker chicken breast
Leslie
I love that this recipe is about as simple as it can get but not sacrificing any flavor! It’s perfect!
Kate
Yes I’m a big fan of simple but flavorful 🙂 Thanks Leslie!
Veena Azmanov
I love shredded chicken but I usually avoid making it in the slow cooker because I’m always afraid of cooking it longer. Next time, I’m going to try some of your tips and this recipe. Looks so delicious.
★★★★★
Kate
Thanks Veena I hope you like the recipe!
Jacquelyn Hastert
I can’t wait to make this in the slow cooker. I love how it doesn’t come out dry. It is also so versatile.
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you Jacquelyn!
Alisha Rodrigues
I love the detailed explanation you’ve shared, Need to make some of this as I’m sure the family would love it
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you Alisha I’m glad you liked the recipe! 🙂
Amy
Oh my goodness! This looks incredible! I love utilizing the crockpot during these warmer months. I’m going to try this recipe this week!
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you Amy I hope you like the recipe!
Amanda Mason
I’m so glad you touched on not overcooking the chicken in the crockpot. 8 hours on low tends to make the chicken dry! I have every single one of these ingredients so this recipe just made it on the menu for the week! So glad I came across this post!!
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you Amanda! And yes dry chicken breast is no fun!!
Amanda Mason
Hi Kate – I made this tonight. It was a HUGE HUGE HUGE win in our house!!! Kids loved it and so did I! So crazy flavorful!! Everyone raved about it! This recipe is a keeper!!
★★★★★
Anne Lawton
This is a great recipe! Easy and delicious and just perfect for meal prepping!
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you Anne! Yes this chicken is super versatile (I like it for burrito bowls!).
Kelly Anthony
I’m so embarrassed to share this but I ALWAYS overcook chicken breasts in the slow cooker. So THANK YOU for sharing the secret I’ve been needing for so long.
★★★★★
Kate
Kelly I know, I did that for a long time too because so many recipes say to cook for at least four hours. But then I started thinking I should just try and see how long it actually takes to reach 165, and I was surprised to learn it was cooked way earlier! No more dry chicken breasts hooray! 🙂
Jenna
Yum! I love slow cooked chicken. This would be perfect chicken for tacos. Sounds so yummy!
Kate
Thank you Jenna!
Karyl Henry
I SO agree with you on chicken breast getting drier and drier as you cook it. That’s why I very rarely ever make chicken breast. But I love your tips on how to keep it tender, and this recipe looks crazy easy too
★★★★★
Kate
Yes dry chicken breast is no fun! And I hope you try the recipe it is super easy! 🙂
jenni lebaron
This slow cooker chili chicken looks so delicious! I can’t wait to try it for taco night, burritos, and protein bowls!
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you Jenni! Yes I love how versatile this recipe is 🙂
Natalie
This looks so delicious and it’s super easy to make. Perfect for family dinner. I will definitely give this a try.
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you Natalie I’m glad you like the recipe!