This Crock Pot Cilantro Lime Chicken is an incredibly easy, dump-and-go recipe perfect for busy weeknights. It delivers vibrant, tangy flavors that will be a hit with the whole family.
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Key Ingredients for Crock Pot Cilantro Lime Chicken
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (from about 2-3 limes)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional for serving: cooked rice, avocado, sour cream or Greek yogurt, salsa, cheese, extra cilantro
How to Make Crock Pot Cilantro Lime Chicken
This Crock Pot Cilantro Lime Chicken is a culinary marvel of simplicity, promising a burst of refreshing lime and herbaceous cilantro in every tender bite. It’s incredibly satisfying, requiring minimal effort for maximum flavor. With a preparation time of just 10 minutes, this recipe is your secret weapon for delicious weeknight meals.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Crock Pot: Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray or a little oil. This prevents the chicken from sticking and makes for easier cleanup.
- Add Chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs in a single layer at the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Incorporate Beans and Tomatoes: Sprinkle the rinsed and drained black beans evenly over the chicken. Then, pour the entire can of undrained diced tomatoes with green chilies over the beans and chicken. The liquid from the canned tomatoes will contribute to the sauce.
- Mix the Sauce Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, fresh lime juice, chopped fresh cilantro, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Ensure all the spices are well combined with the liquids.
- Pour Sauce Over Ingredients: Evenly pour the prepared sauce mixture over the chicken, beans, and tomatoes in the slow cooker. Make sure to distribute it so the chicken is somewhat submerged.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. The ideal cooking time will depend on your individual slow cooker and the thickness of your chicken. For chicken thighs, you might need a slightly longer cooking time to ensure they are fork-tender.
- Shred the Chicken: Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove it from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Combine and Finish: Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker with the beans and tomato mixture. Stir everything together to coat the chicken with the flavorful sauce. Let it cook for an additional 10-15 minutes on warm setting, or until the chicken is heated through and well combined with the other ingredients. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Serve: Ladle the Crock Pot Cilantro Lime Chicken over cooked rice, or use it as a filling for tacos, burritos, or salads. Garnish with your favorite toppings like sliced avocado, a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, salsa, shredded cheese, and extra fresh cilantro.
Why You’ll Love This Crock Pot Cilantro Lime Chicken
You’ll absolutely rave about this Crock Pot Cilantro Lime Chicken because of its incredibly tender, melt-in-your-mouth chicken infused with a bright, zesty cilantro-lime flavor. This dump-and-go recipe is a lifesaver for busy evenings, offering a significantly more budget-friendly alternative to takeout while delivering restaurant-quality taste. The vibrant combination of tangy lime, fresh cilantro, and savory spices creates a truly unforgettable meal, making it a standout even when compared to other slow cooker chicken dishes.
Forget the stress of meal planning and discover the sheer joy of effortless, delicious cooking. This Crock Pot Cilantro Lime Chicken transforms simple ingredients into a flavor fiesta that will have everyone asking for seconds. Give your taste buds a treat and your weeknight routine a much-needed break – try this fantastic recipe today and prepare to be impressed!
Storing and Reheating Tips
- Refrigeration: Once cooled to room temperature, store leftover Crock Pot Cilantro Lime Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the container is sealed properly to maintain freshness and prevent food spoilage.
- Freezing: For longer storage, allow the chicken mixture to cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. It’s helpful to portion it into meal-sized servings for easier thawing and reheating.
- Reheating on Stovetop: Gently reheat the chicken in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. You may want to add a splash of water or chicken broth if the mixture seems too dry.
- Reheating in Microwave: Place a serving of the chicken in a microwave-safe dish. Cover loosely and microwave on medium power, stirring halfway through, until hot. This typically takes 2-3 minutes depending on the microwave and portion size.
- Reheating in Oven: Transfer the desired portion to an oven-safe dish, add a tablespoon or two of liquid (water or broth), cover with foil, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
Final Thoughts
This Crock Pot Cilantro Lime Chicken is a flavor-packed, incredibly simple meal that will become a staple in your rotation. Whip up this delicious and easy-to-make dish for a flavorful weeknight dinner that the whole family will devour.
Crock Pot Cilantro Lime Chicken
This Crock Pot Cilantro Lime Chicken is an incredibly easy, dump-and-go recipe perfect for busy weeknights. It delivers vibrant, tangy flavors that will be a hit with the whole family.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray or a little oil. This prevents the chicken from sticking and makes for easier cleanup.cooking spray or oil
- Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs in a single layer at the bottom of the slow cooker.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Sprinkle the rinsed and drained black beans evenly over the chicken. Then, pour the entire can of undrained diced tomatoes with green chilies over the beans and chicken. The liquid from the canned tomatoes will contribute to the sauce.1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained, 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, fresh lime juice, chopped fresh cilantro, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Ensure all the spices are well combined with the liquids.0.5 cup chicken broth, 0.25 cup fresh lime juice (from about 2-3 limes), 0.25 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder, 0.25 teaspoon salt, 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- Evenly pour the prepared sauce mixture over the chicken, beans, and tomatoes in the slow cooker. Make sure to distribute it so the chicken is somewhat submerged.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. The ideal cooking time will depend on your individual slow cooker and the thickness of your chicken. For chicken thighs, you might need a slightly longer cooking time to ensure they are fork-tender.
- Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove it from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker with the beans and tomato mixture. Stir everything together to coat the chicken with the flavorful sauce. Let it cook for an additional 10-15 minutes on warm setting, or until the chicken is heated through and well combined with the other ingredients. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Ladle the Crock Pot Cilantro Lime Chicken over cooked rice, or use it as a filling for tacos, burritos, or salads. Garnish with your favorite toppings like sliced avocado, a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, salsa, shredded cheese, and extra fresh cilantro.cooked rice, avocado, sour cream or Greek yogurt, salsa, cheese, extra cilantro
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or freeze for up to 2-3 months. Reheat on stovetop, microwave, or oven.