I’ve a not-so-basic model of a core recipe that’s important to our dinner (and subsequently our common) well-being: Crockpot Mexican Chicken. This wholesome southwest-spiced rooster is tender and juicy, just a little bit smoky, and crying to be tucked into tortillas, scattered over chips, combined with rice burrito-bowl fashion, and extra.

From quesadillas to even salads, we haven’t run out of the way to use this crockpot rooster but. I’m not involved. It’s so darn tasty and wholesome to boot, I’m content material to proceed to brainstorm extra methods we will take pleasure in it. Thus far, I’ve provide you with 10 completely different concepts—make certain to verify them out later within the put up!

Making Mexican rooster within the gradual cooker is a type of “coming of age” foundational kitchen hacks that can go well with you at any and each section of life.

• New to cooking? This recipe is simple and indisputably scrumptious.
• Cooking for a busy household of choosy eaters? These flavors are interesting, the rooster isn’t too spicy, and the prep work is brief.
• Working in your meal prep recreation? This rooster is the make-ahead, freezer-friendly, and all-around “I acquired this” dinner for the deities.
• Attempting to eat wholesome? This rooster is lean and imply, however doesn’t skimp on taste.
• Simply love Mexican meals? <—That is each life section.

Irrespective of your season of life, likelihood is you’ve gone the route of dumping a jar of salsa and pile of rooster breasts within the gradual cooker collectively, then name it a day, and you understand what? THAT’S FINE. That is simply not that recipe.

Whereas I like the convenience of the salsa + rooster gradual cooker method, to me it’s at all times tasted precisely like what it’s: bland rooster with some salsa on high.

I would like to do higher. I do know that we will.

Thus, I set off to provide you with a straightforward crockpot shredded Mexican rooster that was nonetheless fairly fast and straightforward to prep (I imply, isn’t that half the promoting level of creating it within the first place?). It lead me to these On the spot Pot Shredded Chicken Tacos.

It’s a stellar recipe and lead me to unlock the 2 high secrets and techniques to making shredded Mexican rooster with superior taste (each of which I used on this crockpot model!), however I do know we don’t all personal an On the spot Pot.

And even when we do, it’s not at all times the equipment we want on a specific night time. Whether or not it’s for its make-ahead ease or the set-it-and-forget it attraction, typically solely the gradual cooker will do.

This recipe is your starter, better-than-salsa, Mexican-style rooster breasts. Or make gradual cooker Mexican rooster thighs (this recipe works for both minimize). Combine the shredded rooster with corn and beans to bulk it up or add rice (or each!). Or, make the recipe precisely as it’s, then use and find it irresistible for all your Mexican meals whims.

How to Make Crockpot Mexican Chicken

Three key ideas give this Mexican rooster genuine taste:

• Brown the Chicken. I KNOW. I’m asking you to get an additional skillet soiled. I promise the flavour it locks into the meat is effectively price it.
• Use Fireplace Roasted Diced Tomatoes. A can of those beauties imparts extra style than plain diced tomatoes. The rooster cooks of their liquid, absorbing extra taste.
• Chipotle Peppers in Adobo. Smoke metropolis! Chipotles are smoked jalapeños that you may buy in a can at virtually any main grocery retailer. They make recipes style advanced. Adobo is a tangy, barely candy pink sauce that these chipotles come packed in. It’s a two-fer while you purchase them, and this recipe takes benefit of each.

When you’ve embraced these three, this recipe is a snap to make and makes use of spices any Mexican meals lover will have already got in his or her pantry.

The Elements

• Chicken. Whereas within the gradual cooker, the rooster meat will turn into extremely tender, moist, and flavorful. Watch it fastidiously for over cooking. I opted to use boneless skinless breasts for this recipe, however you may use thighs as effectively. Thighs are additionally much less susceptible to drying out.
• Spices. No bland rooster right here! I used a mix of salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried oregano to create strong taste with a touch of warmth.
• Tomatoes. Fireplace-roasted diced tomatoes add a refined smokiness to the rooster and assist it keep moist.
• Chipotle Peppers in Adobo. A powerhouse of smoky taste wrapped up within the comfort of 1 can. (You’ll have some left within the can—use it in any of those recipes.)
• Optionally available Additions. I beloved including a can of black beans and Mexican corn for added taste and texture. You’ll be able to stir them in on the finish when you’d like to make the rooster much more substantial.

The Instructions

1. Coat your gradual cooker with nonstick spray. Season the rooster.
2. Sauté the rooster, searing either side till brown. Switch rooster to the gradual cooker.
3. Sprinkle the spices over the rooster, and pour within the tomatoes. Scatter the peppers on high.
4. Cowl and cook dinner till the rooster reaches 165 levels F. Shred the rooster, both on a slicing board or proper within the gradual cooker.
5. Return the rooster to the gradual cooker, and stir. Add within the beans and Mexican corn (if utilizing). Cowl and cook dinner on low for just a few further minutes to enable the flavors to marry. Use for any of your favourite Mexican recipes, and DIG IN!

10 Ways to Use Crockpot Mexican Chicken

1. Mexican Chicken Nachos. Scatter over chips with black beans. Sprinkle with cheese then bake. Smother with any of your favoring nacho toppings.
2. Burritos. Wrap inside a warmed tortilla with beans, rice, salsa, and cheese.
3. Tacos. Particularly scrumptious topped with the avocado slaw from these Shrimp Tacos.
4. Tostadas. Add the rooster to these Black Bean Tostadas.
5. Salad. Use it instead of turkey on this Wholesome Taco Salad or add it to this Mexican Salad.
6. Creamy Mexican Chicken. Combine with cream cheese, mashed avocado, and Greek yogurt. Season to style then use in any of the opposite recommendations on this record.
7. Mexican Chicken Taquitos. Wrap tortillas round a handful of cheese and a spoonful of the rooster (or the creamy Mexican rooster advised above). Coat a foil-lined baking sheet with nonstick spray and prepare the taquitos on high. Spritz the highest of the tortillas with nonstick spray, then bake in a 350 diploma F oven till the filling is scorching and the tortillas are crisp (about 10 minutes).
8. Stuffed Candy Potatoes. Pile a baked potato or baked candy potato with the filling, then add all your favourite Mexican toppings.
9. Burrito Bowl. Serve the Mexican rooster and rice with beans, corn, salsa, and all your favourite toppings. (If this sounds good to you, make certain to take a look at my knock off Chipotle Burrito Bowl.)
10. Quesadillas. Don’t let tacos or burritos have all of the enjoyable. Layer the filling within tortillas with cheese, then cook dinner them in a skillet with a little bit of butter or oil to forestall sticking, till they’re golden and crisp.

How to Retailer and Reheat Leftovers 

• To Retailer. Retailer leftover rooster in an hermetic container within the fridge for up to Four days.
• To Freeze. Place leftovers in an hermetic freezer-safe storage container within the freezer for up to Three months. Let thaw in a single day within the fridge.
• To Reheat. Reheat gently on the range with a splash of rooster inventory or additional salsa to maintain it from drying out.

Extra Favourite Mexican Chicken Recipes

In search of extra crock pot inspiration? Make sure to take a look at my full record of wholesome gradual cooker recipes.

In search of gradual cooker recipes with rooster particularly? Don’t miss this beneficial put up with all the things you want to learn about how to cook dinner wholesome rooster within the crockpot. It contains my finest ideas and a group gradual cooker rooster recipes too!

Instruments Used to Make this Recipe

• Gradual Cooker. A prized equipment in my kitchen, and the proper measurement for this recipe.
• Skillet. Excellent for browning the rooster.
• On the spot Learn Thermometer. The easiest way to guarantee your rooster is cooked by way of and to keep away from overcooking the rooster.

When you do this crockpot Mexican rooster, I’d love to hear the way it goes! Please go away a remark letting me know the way the recipe got here out. It retains me so motivated every time I hear from you.