Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe (Or Instant Pot!)
This delicious, healthy, slow cooker cilantro lime chicken is a great way to either let dinner mostly cook itself (slow cooker), or get it on the table fast (Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi).
Why Use A Slow Cooker?
The one thing I truly love about slow cookers is that they make the most tender chicken on the planet. It’s the kind of “fall-off-the-bone” texture we all love. And if done properly, it will work with boneless chicken, too!
Can I Use Chicken Breasts?
You can. Chicken breasts tend to be a bit dryer when cooked, but they will work just fine here. However, if they are on the thicker side, you may have to increase the cooking time just slightly. But check it at the recipe time first. You can always close it up and keep on cooking!
Can I make This a Freezer Meal?
You absolutely can! Simply pack everything in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 4 months. When you are ready to eat it, thaw it in the fridge for a full 24 hours, then proceed with cooking it in your slow cooker.
And yes, I know a lot of people put frozen meat into their slow cookers. But for food safety reasons, I cannot recommend that here.
Is This Chicken Spicy?
No, but it can be. We love it spicy, which is why I recommend jalapeno peppers as a garnish. But it’s totally up to you!
How Can I Make This Chicken Spicier?
Add jalapeno peppers to the slow cooker. Then garnish with fresh peppers at serving. Chop them fine for cooking, and chop or slice them any way you want for the garnish.
Can You Put Raw Meat In A Slow Cooker?
Yep! In fact, that’s the whole point! A slow cooker will keep everything within food safety ranges as long as the meat isn’t frozen.
Should I Brown The Chicken Before Adding It To The Slow Cooker?
Not for this recipe. I know some recipes will call for browning meat first. But for this recipe, I do not recommend it.
Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe Cost
Since groceries are so dang costly these days, I thought I would start adding rough cost estimates to my recipes. Just please understand that these prices are true for my area at the time I shopped for the ingredients. They may be different in your area. But at least it will give you a ballpark idea.
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs (2.5 lbs): $8-12 USD
- Fresh lime juice (⅓ cup or about 3 limes): $0.75-1.50 USD
- Fresh cilantro (¼ cup): $0.50-1 USD
- Garlic (8 cloves): $0.50-1 USD
- Red onion (1 cup chopped): $1-2 USD
- Black beans (15 oz. can, drained and rinsed): $1-2 USD
- Ground cumin (2 tsp): $0.25-0.50 USD
- Smoked paprika (1 tsp): $0.25-0.50 USD
- Salt (1 tsp): $0.10-0.25 USD
- Black pepper (¼ tsp): $0.10-0.25 USD
- Chicken broth (¼ cup): $0.25-0.50 USD
- Jalapeno pepper (1): $0.25-0.50 USD
The total cost range for these ingredients would be approximately $13.35-21.50 USD, or $2.23-3.58 USD per serving approximately.
How To Serve Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken
The possibilities are endless, but here are some suggestions:
Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken Can Be Served Over
- Rice
- Quinoa
- Millet
Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken Can Be Served In
- Salads
- Tortillas
Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken Can Be Served With
- Black beans
- Chopped red onions
- Lime slices or wedges
- Fresh cilantro
- Jalapeno pepper – If you want it spicy.
Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe Additions
While these are not called for in the recipe, you can expand this recipe by adding any of the following:
For Cooking:
- Corn
For Serving:
- Sour cream (or yogurt)
- Fresh, chopped tomatoes
- Salsa
- Tortillas (for making tacos or burritos)
About The Ingredients
Boneless skinless chicken thighs – You can also use boneless skinless chicken breasts if you prefer.
Fresh lime juice – This is truly best freshly squeezed, but bottled will work in a pinch.
Fresh cilantro – You’ll want extra to sprinkle on at serving.
Garlic cloves – Use the largest garlic cloves you can find.
Red onion – You’ll want to add a 1/4 cup to the slow cooker, and the rest you’ll sprinkle on at serving.
Ground cumin
Smoked paprika – Make sure it’s smoked! Regular paprika won’t be nearly as good here.
Salt
Ground black pepper
Chicken broth – No sugar or dextrose added.
Canned black beans – No sugar added.
Jalapeno pepper – Optional. For medium spice, simply sprinkle on some chopped jalapeno at serving. But if you want it extra spicy, finely chop up half a jalapeno and add it to the spice mixture at the beginning of the recipe. Then use however much you want of the fresh stuff at serving.
How To Make Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken
Slow Cooker Instructions
In a small mixing bowl, combine the lime juice, cilantro, garlic, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix them well to make a “sauce”.
Next, place your chicken into a slow cooker and pour the lime-cilantro mixture over it.
Sprinkle about a ¼ cup of chopped red onion over the top.
Add some chicken broth to the slow cooker, cover it up, and let it cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours until the chicken is cooked all the way through and tender. It should easily fall apart when stirred. Stir well to completely shred the chicken. If your chicken ends up being a little tougher than it should be, simply remove the chicken from the slow cooker onto a plate or cutting board and shred it using two forks.
Serve this over rice or quinoa and garnish with black beans and jalapeno pepper if using.
Instant Pot Instructions (Or Ninja Foodi Instructions)
Follow the slow cooker instructions through step 3.
Place the chicken in the IP insert and pour the sauce over the top.
Add the chicken broth. Note that most pressure cookers need more liquid to cook. Mine did just fine with this (I used a Ninja Foodi). If you think you will need the full cup of liquid, feel free to add 1 full cup of chicken broth. You will simply have more sauce when it’s done.
Close the lid and set the valve to the sealing position.
Select manual/pressure cook mode and set the timer for 25-30 minutes on high pressure.
Once the timer beeps, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, and then do a quick release to release any remaining pressure.
Open the lid and stir the chicken to shred it.
Serve as indicated above.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezing
This can be frozen if packed well. Freeze for up to 4 months. A freezer bag works great!
Reheating
From frozen – Thaw in the fridge for 24 hours or in the microwave.
From fridge – Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop. You may need to add a little bit of extra chicken broth to the pot if you do this on the stovetop.
More Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes
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Crockpot Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Slow Cooker (5 or 6 qt) or
- 1 Instant Pot or
- 1 Ninja Foodi or
Ingredients
- 2½ lbs. boneless skinless chicken thighs
- ⅓ cup fresh lime juice (about 2-3 limes + extra for serving)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro (plus extra for serving)
- 8 large garlic cloves (pressed or minced)
- 1 cup chopped red onion (divided)
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- ½ tsp. smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. ground black pepper
- ¼ cup chicken broth (no sugar or dextrose added)
- 15 oz. can black beans (drained and rinsed – no sugar added)
- 1 large jalapeno pepper (optional – see suggestions above)
Instructions
Slow Cooker Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the lime juice, cilantro, garlic, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix them well to make a "sauce".
- Next, place your chicken into a slow cooker and pour the lime-cilantro mixture over it. Add a ¼ cup of chopped red onion.
- Add some chicken broth to the slow cooker, cover it up, and let it cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is cooked all the way through and tender. It should easily fall apart when stirred. Stir well to shred well. If your chicken ends up being a little tougher than it should be, simply remove the chicken from the slow cooker onto a plate or cutting board and shred it using two forks.
- Serve this over rice or quinoa and garnish with black beans and jalapeno pepper, if using.
when do you add the other portion 3/4 cup of red onion to the mix?
Jenn – You sprinkle it on at serving.