Easy Slow Cooker Shredded Mexican Chicken simmered with Mexican spices, salsa and green chilies for amazingly flavorful chicken for tacos, burritos, nachos, soups, salads, etc. and all you do is dump and run! You NEED this in your back pocket!
Need is a strong word. But when it comes to food and recipes, I am convinced you NEED this go-to, easy, crazy delicious Slow Cooker Shredded Mexican Chicken at your fingertips. In fact, it is the only all purpose, Slow Cooker Shredded Mexican Chicken you will ever need! It joins the cast of my other stellar back-pocket Mexican staples of Tacos Al Pastor, Carne Asada, Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas, Baja Fish Tacos, Beef, Bean and Cheese Burritos, Chicken Fajitas, Steak Fajitas, Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas and Slow Cooker Barbacoa Beef. And of course, every one needs a killer Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe.
After all, tacos, burritos, nachos, tostadas, chimichangas, enchiladas, etc. are only as good as the meat and this Mexican Chicken is stellar. It will be the star of your Mexican dishes and bonus! – it is super easy and fabulous for make-ahead or even freeze-ahead meals. Use the chicken plain in your recipes or top them all off with Homemade Salsa, Salsa Verde or Pico de Gallo for an added layer of YUM!
The perfectly flavored chicken cooks in a Mexican spiced bath of salsa, green chilies, diced tomatoes, brown sugar and a splash of liquid smoke.
The chicken cooks until its fork tender, then shredded and added back to the seasoned juices to re-absorb the flavor in every crevice.
At this point, you drain any excess liquid. I like to save the seasoned liquid to cook my rice in like I first did in my Slow Cooker Fajita Chicken – so good – some of the best rice you will ever eat! The chicken is perfect as is for tacos/burritos or if you are serving plain over rice, I love to stir in some enchilada sauce. It is also fabulous with Restaurant Style Mexican Rice or Cilantro Lime Rice with Black Beans.
This Slow Cooker Shredded Mexican Chicken is ready to make all your Mexican dishes more delicious…
Like these Smothered Baked Mexican Chicken Burritos aka “Skinny Chimichangas” with Cheesy Green Chili Sour Cream Sauce…
But don’t wait, your taste buds want you to make this chicken now! or tomorrow, or as soon as humanly possible…
Looking for more crockpot shredded chicken recipes?
- Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
- Asian Sweet Chili Sesame Chicken
- Slow Cooker Fiesta Ranch Cream Cheese Chicken
- Slow Cooker Honey Buffalo Chicken
- Slow Cooker Mongolian Chicken
- Slow Cooker Pineapple Salsa Chicken
- Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Honey Lime Chicken
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cook Time | 240 minutes |
| Servings | servings |
- 2 pounds chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup mild salsa (medium if you like spicy)
- 3-4 tablespoons brown sugar **
- 1 4 oz. can mild diced green chilies
- 1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 tsp EACH ground cumin, garlic pwdr, onion pwdr,
- 1/2 tsp EACH smoked paprika, dry oregano, pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle chili pepper (optional for more heat)
- 1 teaspoons liquid smoke
- Hot sauce to taste
Ingredients
| Rate this recipe! |
- Rub chicken breasts with oil and place in the bottom of your slow cooker. Add all of the remaining ingredients except for the hot sauce. Cook on high for 2-4 hours or on low for 6-7 hours or until chicken is tender enough to shred.
- Remove chicken to a cutting board, and let rest 5 minutes before shredding (there will be liquid remaining). Return shredded chicken and let cook on low for an additional 20 minutes to absorb some of the liquid/juices. Drain all excess liquid (see note***). Taste and add hot sauce to taste if desired.
*Liquid Smoke is found next to the BBQ sauces in any grocery store and adds a wonderfully smokey flavor.
***Use 3 tablespoons brown sugar if using mild salsa and not using ground chipotle chili pepper. Use 4 tablespoons if you are using medium salsa and/or the ground chipotle chili pepper. The brown sugar balances out the heat. I use both medium salsa and the chipotle chili pepper and it has a kick but not overly spicy in my opinion - perfect to be smothered in cheese. I had a comment that the chicken is not spicy at all if you leave out the chipotle pepper - perfect for kids.
***When I drain my excess liquid, I top a large bowl with a strainer and add slow cooker contents, pressing down on chicken to get rid of all of the excess moisture. I then use drained liquid plus additional needed water to cook my rice for AMAZING flavored rice.
***If serving over rice, try stirring in some enchilada sauce after you drain your chicken for some saucy Enchilada Mexican Chicken.
****Chicken freezes beautifully.
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You might also like:
Chili Lime Chicken Tacos with Grilled Pineapple Salsa
Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Honey Lime Chicken
ONE POT Chicken Fajita & Rice Soup
Easy All Purpose Chipotle Chicken
Smothered Mexican Chicken Burritos
Southwest Pepper Jack Salad with Creamy Avocado Salsa Dressing
Cilantro Lime Black Beans and Rice
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Rossana says
This is delicious! I doubled the recipe and it came out great. The only ingredient I didn’t double up on is the Chipotle pepper but I can still taste the spice. Great recipe.
Jen says
Thank you so much Rossana! I’m so happy you were able to double this recipe successfully and it turned out great!
Alli Jo says
Love this recipie. It’s my go to recipie whenever I’m making tacos, burritos, enchiladas etc. I also switch it up and use pork instead of chicken sometimes! Huge crowd pleaser & so easy for a busy family! I love the burrito recipie you make using this recipie too! The white sauce is amazing!
Jen says
I am so happy you love the recipe Allie! Pork sounds delicious and I love that the slow cooker makes it easier for you to feed your busy family 🙂
Margo Osborne says
Just had to comment! Happened upon your site today for the first time, as I am trying to get back into “cooking!” Wow! These were great tonight. I, of course, forgot to buy the chopped tomatoes, so instead used just the whole jar of salsa, plus hot chili powder, instead of the chipotle pepper….. It was divine!!! Even my picky daughter loved it. THANKS for sharing! Margo
Jen says
Hi Margo, I’m so happy you stumbled upon my site, welcome! Your substitutions sounds awesome and I’m so happy even your picky eater loved it! I hope you find more recipes here to get you excited about cooking! The Slow Cooker recipes and soups are definitely the easiest – some of my favs! enjoy!
Gigi says
I found your site and this recipe last night, I’m now following you on FB too!. I had 95% of the ingredients and I put it in the crock pot this morning. I just finished it up and it is wonderful. I improvised on the green chilies with rotel and only had fire roasted tomatoes as a few others inquired about those too, so I felt safe in the substitutions! I just gave it a test bite…bam…It is wonderful. My daughter is going to love this too. She loves burritos and I love tacos. It is a very versatile recipe so it will make us both happy!
Jen says
Your’e too sweet Gigi! The fire roasted tomatoes sound delicious, I am going to have to give that a try 🙂 I can’t wait to hear if your daughter ends up loving this as much as you did!
Edna E. Barber says
Oh my god! It looks so yummy. Can’t wait to tell mom to try this recipe for tonight.
Thanks, Jen.
Jen says
You are so welcome! I hope it’s a hit!
m says
yum!! Merci.
Lora says
Yet another winner! I made it for dinner this evening and am already making plans for the leftovers.
Jen says
yessss! I’m thrilled it was another winner, thanks Lora!
Tara says
I want to double this recipe and freeze half. When freezing would you suggest keeping some of the liquid with the chicken? Thanks!
Jen says
Hi Tara, yes, I would absolutely keep some of the liquid with the chicken – great question!
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Kayla says
Hasn’t anyone tried it without the liquid smoke?
Jen says
You can definitely leave it out – it just won’t have the extra depth of smokiness.
Kayla says
Thanks for the quick reply! Trying it today for lunch but really didn’t want to run to the grocery store
Peggy says
Have made this three times now for a crowd. Doubled the recipe and had leftovers. Throwing it cold on a bed of lettuce with some fresh pick and sliced avocado for dinner tonight! Can’t wait!
Jen says
I love making this Mexican Chicken for crowds too – doesn’t get much easier! It’s always nice when there are actually leftovers – your dinner sounds scrumptious!
Yolanda says
For the same party at which I made your Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa, I also made this Easy Slow Cooker Shredded Mexican Chicken. Similarly, I was making the Shredded Mexican Chicken for a large crowd, so I ended up cooking it on the stove as well. It only took a little over an hour to make. I’m pretty sure I could have stopped cooking it much sooner than I did. Regardless, it was a big hit! So tender, so flavorful, so freaking delicious!
So yummy, in fact, that guests were asking to take some home. And, I made this shredded chicken again a few days later (smaller serving size) just for my family. PLUS, I’m making it again tonight as a “care package” to take to a family friend who’s dealing with medical issues.
I can’t wait to explore your other recipes! Thanks for sharing your gift of creating!
Jen says
That is awesome the chicken was also such a hit and the guests even wanted to take it home! The chicken is also one of my favorites to make for friends and family – I took it as a “care package” as well to a friend in need last week! I am so happy these recipes were such winners – I look forward to hearing what you try next!
Jody says
I’ve made your recipe before and it is delicious! I’d like to try it in my Instant Pot, but am unsure how long to cook it. Any suggestions?
Jen says
Hi Jody, my apologies but I don’t have an instant pot yet so I can’t help you out there. Good luck!
Cathy Nagel says
This salad is a perfect dinner on a hot day. Absolutely delicious, I literally cannot think of a thing I would add or change. I am trying your crock pot chicken tomorrow.
Thanks for the great recipe!
Jen says
Thank you so much for your kind comment Cathy! I’m thrilled you love the salad and I hope you love the chicken just as much!
M says
Hi going to try this recipe but my daughter doesn’t like tomatoes was wondering if I could use tomato paste or tomato sauce ?
Jen says
Are you wanting to replace the salsa or just the diced tomatoes? If you’re wanting to replace the salsa and tomatoes then I would use mild red enchilada sauce. If you’re wanting to replace the tomatoes then I would just leave them out. Enjoy!
ashley says
This recipe is amazing ! Thank you so much!
Jen says
You are so welcome! I’m so happy you loved it!
Alyssa says
Do you not need any liquids like broth? It’s in the Crock-Pot now!
Jen says
Nope! You will be surprised how much moisture is released from the other ingredients. Enjoy!
Alicia says
Can I leave out the brown Sugar? Will it ruin the recipe? My husband and I like heat
Jen says
Hi Alicia, it is more to balance out the acidity. You can leave it out and add some at the end if you feel like it needs it. Enjoy!
Rochelle says
Wow! I bow down to you! This is the BEST way to make chicken for mexican recipes. I often just heat up corn tortillas in a nonstick skillet and heat up the chicken in the microwave and then sprinkle with cheese. Little street tacos!! Delicious.. I love many of your recipes-)
Jen says
LOL! Thank you so much Rochelle! I’m happy you found the best Mexican chicken and your street tacos sound awesome!
Lindsay says
I just want you to know that this is by far the best recipe website I have ever found. I am constantly on Pinterest trying to find good recipes and so many of them fall short. These are all gold. Thank you!!!
Jen says
I can’t thank you enough for your comment Lindsay, you absolutely made my week! I am honored you are loving my recipes so much! xoxo