Skip to main content

Slow Cooker Shredded Mexican Chicken


 
PREP TIME
COOK TIME
TOTAL TIME
 
Author: 
INGREDIENTS
  • 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 green chilies
  • 1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle chili pepper (optional for more heat)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dry oregano
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoons liquid smoke*
  • hot sauce to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
NOTES
*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.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Smitten Kitchen's Salted Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Yield: Approximately 18 to 24 cookies 1/2 cup (4 ounces or 113 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature 2 tablespoons (25 grams) granulated sugar 2 tablespoons (25 grams) turbinado sugar (aka Sugar in the Raw; you can use more brown or white if you don’t have this, but the subtle crunch it adds is delightful) 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (165 grams) packed light or dark brown sugar 1 large egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3/4 teaspoon baking soda Heaped 1/4 teaspoon (or, technically, 1/4 + 1/8 teaspoon) fine sea or table salt 1 3/4 cups (220 grams) all-purpose flour 1/2 pound (225 grams) semi- or bittersweet chocolate, cut into roughly 1/2-inch chunks with a serrated knife Flaky sea salt, to finish Heat oven to 360°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicon baking mat. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugars together with an electric mixer until very light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add egg and vanilla, beating until incorporated, and scr...

Peanut Butter Energy Bites

1 cup rolled oats 1 cup rice krispies cereal 1/2 cup ground flax seeds 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons honey 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon all natural peanut butter 1/4 cup peanut butter powder pinch of salt 1 teaspoon vanilla Directions: Place all ingredients into a large bowl and stir with a rubber scraper until all ingredients are moist and sticky. Using a small cookie scoop, portion out energy bites into even balls. Roll between your lightly greased fingers, pushing ingredients towards themselves to form an even, tight ball. Place onto wax paper and continue this process until all energy bites are formed. Serve at room temperature or refrigerate and store in an air tight container for up to one week.

Mum's Pancakes

Pancake Mix 10 Cups all-purpose flour 2-1/2 cups instant nonfat dry milk 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup baking powder 2 Tablespoons salt Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.  Stir together to blend well.  Store in a large airtight container.  Use within 6-8 months. Pancakes 1  1/2 C pancake mix 1 egg - separated 1C water 3 tbsp vegetable oil Put your egg  yolk, water and oil in a container and mix well. Then add to your pancake flour. Blend well - add more water if you want thinner pancakes. Directions say you should let it stand for 5 min. Whip the egg white and fold it in.  Makes 10 1/4 inch pancakes