Crockpot Mexican Chili Lime Chicken.
{This post is sponsored by Target! I used their awesome Old El Paso Soft Tortilla Tacos Boats to make this super easy family dinner}
It’s time for an easy Sunday dinner, but one that’s fun, healthy… and Mexican too!
One that you literally just throw in the crockpot, go do your thing, and is all ready to be put together when dinner time rolls around. It really could not be simpler. And guys, this chicken is DELICIOUS! This is one of those staple recipes that everyone needs to have on hand. Not only is it great for Sunday night family dinners, but the leftovers are the best, and can be used in so many different ways for extra easy meals throughout the week. Think breakfast tacos, lunch salads and taco dinner boats.
Ok ok, and not only is this Crockpot Mexican Chili Lime Chicken great for dinner tonight, but I cannot lie, this dish would be PERFECT for Cinco de Mayo (this Thursday people)! Just prep the chicken in the morning and then come home to perfectly cooked chicken ready to be turned into an amazing Mexican feast…
Here’s how this goes down, grab your Old El Paso taco boats, load them up with the crockpot chicken, guacamole, cheese, salsa and any other toppings you see fit. I go heavy on the guacamole (ok and the cheese), but you know I am avocado obsessed (seriously, I’ve been putting avocado on and or in, all the recipes for the book, like so many of them my editor is going to freak).
This would be a great dish to serve to guests after an enjoyable day of say… snowshoeing? Cause that’s what you’d be doing here today… thanks to two full days of snowfall! But for most of you lucky people, just throw everything in your crockpot, head out for a day of… hiking, biking, boating, swimming? Then come back and celebrate a fun evening filled with family, friends and this delicious Crockpot Mexican Chili Lime Chicken… Olé!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Crockpot Chili Lime Chicken.
By halfbakedharvest
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: chicken, chili, crockpot, lime chicken
It's time for an easy Sunday dinner, but one that's fun, healthy... and Mexican too!
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1/2 of a small sweet onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced or grated
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey
- 2 canned chipotle chiles in adobo, chopped (not the whole can, just the 2 chiles
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt + more to taste
- 1/3 cup salsa + more for serving
- 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles
- juice of 1-2 limes
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 8 Old El Paso Soft Tortilla Taco Boats warmed
- shredded cheese + guacamole + salsa for serving
Instructions
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In the bowl of your crockpot, combine the chicken, onion, garlic, brown sugar (or honey), chipotle chile peppers, paprika, oregano, cumin, cinnamon, salt, salsa and diced green chiles. Add 1/2 cup water, cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 4-6 hours. Once the chicken is done cooking, shred with two forks and then stir in the lime juice and cilantro.
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Serve the chicken in warmed taco boats, tortillas or use in wraps. Top as desired.
Done and DONE. Let’s eat!
Wow, sounds wonderful. Have a Mexican friend so it would be great to make this for him. Your recipes are amazing. I don’t get time to check the website out frequently but did I just spy you are bringing out a book? Fab
Hope you guys love it!!
I am in the process of coming out with A book!! So stay tuned!! Thank you!
It might be snowing in Colorado, but it’s pouring in Virginia… and will be pouring all day long 🙁 It will still be nice to throw this in the crockpot and do a spring cleaning around here! Looks amazing, as always Tieghan!
I have to say snow might be a tiny bit nicer than rain, but not by much!!
Hope you love it as always (: Thank you!
The bowls look really good but so does the ear of sweet corn.
I really like the combination.
YAY Thanks Nancy! Have A great Sunday (:
In the crock pot now :). I’m planning to add a can of pinto beans when it’s 30 minutes out from being done. Thanks for an easy recipe!
Blessings,
Angela
Hi Angela! Sounds amazing! Hope you love it!
Thanks!!
Just wanted to tell you that I love your blog! I check it every day. Love that chandelier in the barn! Was wondering what you favorite food blogs are.
Hi Barbara, thank you SO much for your kind words!! it means a lot that you check in everyday. Thank you, thank you! ? I actually do not read a ton of food blogs since I don’t have a ton of time, but I love the Pinterest and pin a lot of other bloggers recipes there! I also love the blog Cupcakes and Cashmere! Thanks again!
I recently discovered that I’m totally in love with mexican food and I got this slight feeling you are too 🙂
Anyway, this awesome simple dinner sounds like a good way to introduce my – not so openminded eater – boyfriend to the mexican cuisine !!!
Love the pictures.. as always!!
Your right! I am!
Thanks Eva, Hope you both love it!
Sounds really good. Thank you and have a Great Sunday!
Thanks Liz! You to!!
This looks incredible. My mouth is literally watering. I am so excited for the eventual release of your cookbook; it will be what’s for Christmas/Birthday/Un-birthday for EVERYONE.
…I really want to cut some of that corn off the cob and put it in the tacos. Mmm.
Thank so much Kate! I hope you and everyone loves the book!! (:
Yum!!! That looks amazing! But sadly I don’t own a crock pot… ;( Could you do this in the oven somehow??
HI! Yes, that works great! Combine everything on the in a dutch oven or heavy pot with a lid cook at 325 for 3-4 hours or until the chicken shreds easily. I would also add a cup of water to make sure the chicken does not get dry. Let me know if you have questions, thanks!
Everything’s fine, but “Mexican”?! Ever been there? Can you please tell what part of that country this dish can be found?…One last thing: hard shell tacos, from Mexico?! HAHAHA HAHA…
I too am very obsessed with guacamole. Our destitute stash of avocados is proof. XD While I don’t have a crockpot, I definitely love those recipes where you leave it on the stovetop or in the oven for an hour or two and relaaaaaaaaax until it’s time to eat! Nom nom!
LOL!! Although the suspense can be unbarring when your hungry!!
And if you don’t have a crackpot?
HI! You can simmer everything on the stove in a dutch oven or heavy pot with a lid over LOW heat for 3-4 four or until the chicken shreds easily. Let me know if you have questions, thanks!
can you tell me what kind of salsa you used?
HI Anna! I used a homemade tomato salsa that was about Medium heat. I love Trader Joes tomato salsa too! Thanks and let me know if you have other questions.
I made these tonight & it was SO good. This is the best pulled chicken I have ever made. So much flavor!! Thanks for the recipe, it will be a staple in or home 🙂
YAY So happy Alexa! Thank you(:
Wow! These are beautiful. As soon as I read through the recipe, I went to the market to buy the ingredients. Made it that night and it was delicious. Great flavor and just as good as you said it would be. I check in with your blog most days and have enjoyed so many of your recipes. Thank you.
YAY! SO happy you tried and liked it!! Thank you so much Louie!!
Making these right now with frozen chicken and TJ’s peach salsa because that’s all I had – can’t wait for them to come out!
HI!! How did they come out!?
Made it yesterday and it came out so delicious!!! It might be a little too spicy for the kids though.. Any tips on how to make it less spicy ? Love your blog! Can’t wait for the book!
HI E! I would use just 1 chipotle chile pepper. Or maybe a mild salsa. Let me know if you have questions. SO happy you love the recipe, thank you!!
How many servings does this yield? It look yummy on my way to the store now!!
Hey Jess! It’s about 4-6 people. Hope you love this and thank you!!
Hi Tieghan, could you please also provide nutritional values for each serving?
I am sorry, I do not provide nutritional info for my recipe as I do not feel confident they would be correct. Sorry and wish I could help more!
Hi,
I would recommend using the myfitnesspal recipe builder! You can import the recipe using the link and then edit everything as much as you want. This way you can put in all of the products you actually used from your grocery store and it is super accurate.
I made this the other night and my husband and I both loved it! Next time I will double the recipe so we have more leftovers. This has great flavor for such a simple recipe!
AWESOME!! So happy you two liked it!! Thanks Lisa!
Can you make this in the oven or on the stove top?
Hey Melody! Yes, you can make this in the over. Combine everything on the in a dutch oven or heavy pot with a lid cook at 325 for 3-4 hours or until the chicken shreds easily. I would also add a cup of water to make sure the chicken does not get dry. Let me know if you have questions, thanks!
Hi Tieghan, I can not tell you how impressed I have been with all of your recipes I have tried so far. My husband is NOT a foodie and difficult to impress and he has loved them all too! thank you. Although I have enjoyed cooking for many years the daily slog of trying to come up with things to please 3 picky eaters has worn me down and you have helped hugely so thank you. I can NOT believe you come up with a NEW recipe EVERY day… just the thought of it exhausts me!
You say in one of your comments you used home made tomato salsa for this. Do you have the recipe on line anywhere? I have had a quick look but can not find one. Thanks! Natalie
Hi Natalie! Oh my gosh, that is so awesome! I am thrilled you guys are loving my recipes, thank you!! I don’t have a recipe for pure tomato salsa, but what I used is the salsa in this post here: https://dev.halfbakedharvest.com/bbq-margarita-chicken-tostadas-sweet-jalapeno-margarita-salsa/ it has mangos in it, which I LOVE. if you are looking for just a basic tomato salsa, just search for one online. I am sure a simple one will come up…I always just want to add to them! haha. I also love the salsa from Trader Joes! Let me know if you have any questions and again, I am so excited you are loving my recipes. THANK YOU! ?
Thank you so much. I couldn’t wait to make it so made it with a salsa I had here. Flavors were delicious but unfortunately my new multi-cooker let me down hugely again and the meat was less than succulent – not your fault at all! Doing it in the oven next time. Meanwhile made your one-pot onion soup pasta which was amazing as ever.
Ah! Thats such a bummer it didn’t work out ): Hopefully next time it will! Happy to hear the soup was good!! Thanks Natalie!
First of all, I have been making your recipes for months (maybe a year?!) and when I try other sites (especially for lunches) I am just seriously disappointed. I have such a high level of trust for your recipes that even though many of them aren’t catered to lunch, I go for the “20 minute” or crockpot meals to meal plan for the week on Sunday’s (so I don’t have to spend all day cooking my lunch and dinner!). Seriously, I don’t think you’ve ever disappointed me.
I used this recipe for lunch this week and I’m surprised how flavorful it is. It’s still simple though which is great. My only recommendation is not to use the taco boats.. I keep having them squirt out any liquid from the juicy chicken out the opposite end I bite from, I think because the curve essentially is creating a launch pad. Embarrassing!
YAY! Love that my recipes are working for you! Thank you thank you!!
Haha! oh jeez! You can of course swap the boats out with wraps!!
Thanks Annie glad you liked them!!
Hi there! Love your site, and absolutely love your recipes! Quick question about the mexican chili lime chicken. Do you think I can make it in the Instant Pot…i’m kind of obsessed with my pressure cooker so was wondering if I can make it in that.
Hey! I am not sure. I have never cooked with a pressure cooker, so I really have no idea what the result would be. If you have cooked other chicken dishes in it, than I say it is worth a try. Let me know how it goes, thanks!!
Hello! I’m a big fan of the site and all your recipes! I was wondering if you could suggest something for me to substitute the chipotle peppers in adobo or if I could just leave them out? Last time I had them I wasn’t that big of a fan, but this chicken looks so good I would still love to try the recipe out. 🙂
Hi Elena!! Thank you so much! You could use just 1-2 teaspoons of chili powder, that will be great! Let me know if you have questions. Hope you had a Merry Christmas!
We just finished eating this. These were truly delicious! The lime and cilantro added a really nice freshness the tacos. Thanks for another awesome recipe!
I am so glad you liked this Ceceil! Thank you so much!!
I made this last night for dinner, and it turned out amazing except it was very spicy. Any suggestions on how to tame down the left overs? Thanks!
Hi! Try adding a spoonful of plain greek yogurt, extra cheese or even creating a rice bake out of the chicken. Just layer the chicken with rice or quinoa and cheese. That would be awesome!:)
Hi Tieghan –
First, I LOVE your website… I’m a total culinary novice, but I’ve been making recipes from your site for the past couple months and they’ve all been a hit. About the chipotle peppers, can you clarify how much I’m supposed to use? I bought a 7oz. can. Just two whole peppers? My household can handle the heat, I just want to make sure I get the serving correct. Thanks!
Hey Emily!!
So sorry for the trouble, it is 1 (4 ounce) can of green chiles and 2 chipotle peppers, not the whole can, just 2 peppers from the can.. Let me know if you have questions. Hope you love them! 🙂
I have made this so many times. I love it!
Please do more crockpot recipes!
So happy you like it Hope!! Thank you!!
I think this looks like good resipie.
Thank you!
is this spicy or hot ?
HI! I would say it is mild and not crazy spicy. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Happy Holidays ? 🙂
This was a delicious supper last night and so easy to make. I have a pet peeve with crockpot recipes that require browning and sauteeing first. That defeats the purpose of why I am choosing a crockpot recipe! (I think I am getting cranky in my old age.) We are recent transplants to Texas so I hesitate to make Tex-Mex food but my Texan grandchildren gave it a thumbs up review. I’m so glad I found your posting!
So glad they loved this Lisa!! Thank you so much!
I have just found you in the last couple weeens and I have LOVED everything I’ve tried so far, but this one is amazing, so simply and family friendly! My 11 month old, 2 1/2 year old and 4 1/2 year old all LOVE this! Making my second batch in less than a week today! Thank you!
Thank you Hallie!
I have just found you in the last couple weeks and I have LOVED everything I’ve tried so far, but this one is amazing, so simply and family friendly! My 11 month old, 2 1/2 year old and 4 1/2 year old all LOVE this! Making my second batch in less than a week today! Thank you!
That is so amazing! I am so glad everyone loved this Hallie!
Hi! I love this recipe! Make it regularly for meal prep, salad topping etc. think I’m going to make for a party for sliders. Any suggestions for yummy slider toppings/sauce that would go well?
HI! I would make a spicy chipotle mayo and then a mango salsa! That will be SO good! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
Very good & a nice, different way to use chicken ? Love being able to do it in the crockpot!!
Thank you Ginger! xTieghan
So tasty, tender, healthy and easy! Thank you Tieghan!
Thank you so much Heather! xTieghan
I love all of your recipes! This chicken was just okay though…the flavor was good but not amazing…just sort of bland. I used chicken broth instead of water but followed everything else in the recipe. I would recommend salting the chicken really well before adding anything else!
Hi Carla! Thank you for trying this! Please let me know if there are any questions I can help you with! xTieghan
Because of the cinnamon, if you serve it over rice it tastes a little like jerk chicken 🙂 Perhaps I didn’t use enough of the chipotle peppers, or maybe it wasn’t strong enough? 🤔 Not complaining though! 😄
Hey Kaley,
I am delighted that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a go! xxTieghan
This recipe is great! I forgot the lime juice, oops, but it was still delicious, and the leftovers made for great quesadillas and omelets!
Hey Nicole,
Awesome! I am so glad this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! xTieghan