Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken (2024)

Allow me to introduce you to your new best friend, Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken. This right here is perfectly seasoned, perfectly juicy restaurant quality taco chicken, and it’s about to change your life and your meal plan for the better.

Look, friends, there are two things I need to tell you about this recipe for cilantro lime chicken:

(1) It’s cooked in the slow cooker and takes, like, 10 minutes to prep. Maybe 15 if you have a toddler hanging onto your feet, or you’re rocking some morning coffee while you prep, or you just DGAF and feel like takin’ it easy. NO SHAME.

(2) It’s the best freaking taco chicken you’ll ever cook. Yes, truly. My husband declared it such, and given that he is a taco connoisseur of the highest level, I’m just going to take him at his word. And for what it’s worth, I totally agree with his assessment, but sometimes third party validation is necessary, especially when donning titles like “best” and “restaurant quality”. (For the sake of comparison, he ranks it above this recipe for shredded crockpot chicken tacos, which was the previous reigning champ in our house!).

(3) I lied, three things. You will gladly eat this chicken for days, and so will your children. If mine did, yours will too! Therefore, your future self will thank you if you just double up on the sauce, pour it over some extra chicken, and tuck that little miracle into the freezer for safe-keeping.

Seriously, you will adore this easy slow cooker recipe for all of the aforementioned reasons, and also because you are smart. And you like really real, really delicious food.

Why The Slow Cooker?

Cilantro and lime. Lime and cilantro. It’s one of the most natural pairings in the world, and we are big fans. We love cilantro lime chicken grilled, baked, and stuffed into tacos. We love a lil’ bed of cilantro lime cauliflower rice to serve with said chicken.

But you know what we love more? Foolproof. Convenience.

Marinated and grilled cilantro lime chicken is tasty. But it also takes time, and chicken breasts can be…touchy. Chicken breasts are one of the most popular cuts of meat, but I often find them dry and bland unless they’ve been properly brined or marinated.

Enter the magic of the slow cooker, which solves our dry chicken problem with ease and elegance (see crockpot salsa chicken and slow cooker chicken tinga for more proof!).

Chicken breasts are slow cooked in a slightly spicy sauce until juicy and infused with flavor. Lime juice and salt tenderize the chicken as it cooks, and the result is restaurant-quality cilantro lime chicken that is so ridiculously easy to make you’ll be dreaming up ways to eat it monthly! (Don’t worry, we’ve got suggestions!).

Key Ingredients

• Olive Oil: to keep the chicken moist, and a bit of flavor in the form of a healthy fat.
• Lime Juice: fresh is best! Plan on juicing 2-3 limes.
• Jalapeno: with or without seeds; keep the seeds for a spicier chicken, or leave ’em out for flavor without the kick.
• Garlic: it just makes everything better!
• Cumin and Paprika: for depth and a smoky bite.
• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: boneless chicken breasts transform into incredibly tender bites in the slow cooker. We love ’em!

How to Make Cilantro Lime Chicken in the Crockpot

Allow your crockpot to transform boring, and often dry, boneless skinless chicken breasts into an easy, healthy, and incredibly flavorful dinner. Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken cooks low and slow in a blend of spices for deeply infused flavor and incredibly tender meat. Stuff into tacos, serve in bowls, make burritos and salads…the possibilities are endless.

1. Make the crock pot sauce. Combine olive oil, lime juice, chicken broth, garlic, jalapeno, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper in a food processor and blend until very smooth.
2. Pat the chicken dry, then arrange in a single, even layer in the bottom of the crock pot; pour the sauce over the chicken.
3. Seal the crockpot, then cook on high for 3-4 hours, or low for 5-6 hours. The chicken will be very, very tender.
4. Shred the chicken right in the pot using two works, then add the cilantro. Toss the chicken, sauce, and cilantro until well combined. Enjoy!

What to Serve with Cilantro Lime Chicken

This cilantro lime chicken is a weeknight workhorse, and there are so many ways to stuff it into your face. Here are my faves:

• Stuff it into a taco and top with queso fresco and avocado – no other fancy slaws or garnishes necessary!
• With Mexican green rice and/or Instant Pot Pinto beans.
• Make a low carb/keto bowl with Mexican cauliflower rice, avocado, and cojita cheese.
• Alongside Mexican street corn salad.
• Make an epic cilantro lime chicken salad – shredded romaine, chopped tomatoes, grilled bell peppers, cilantro lime chicken, and cilantro lime vinaigrette. WHOAH.

Can I Use Chicken Thighs?

Yes. They may take closer to 4 hours on high or 6 hours on low to become tender enough to shred. Do make sure they’re boneless and skinless, and do make sure you trim any large fat deposits first.

Can I make This a Freezer Meal?

Yes, definitely and totally encouraged. Place the chicken breasts into a gallon sized freezer bag, pour the marinade over the chicken, press out the air, and seal. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight, dump into the crock pot, and cook on low 8 hours or high 4 hours.

Is the Chicken Spicy?

Honestly, not really! The instructions call for seeding the jalapeno, which removes most of the heat. It has a kick, but it won’t leave your mouth on fire.

How Can I Make This Recipe Spicier?

Keep some of the seeds from the jalapeno, double the jalapeno, and/or add a teaspoon of red pepper flakes.

Is Cilantro Lime Chicken Healthy?

Y’all know I’m not a fan of the term “healthy”, so let’s just say that this recipe is most definitely clean. No processed ingredients, no sugar or additives – just a very short list of tasty whole foods. It’s also low carb, Whole30, and gluten free, so if any one of those dietary persuasions is your thing, you’re totally covered. We eat this for days and days on a Whole30 – it’s that good!

Did you make this Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken? I’d love to know how it turned out! Leave a comment and a rating below.

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