Easy Crockpot Chipotle Chicken Carnitas – a healthier take on the traditional pork carnitas that we all know and absolutely adore! Quick and simple to prepare in a “set it and forget it” fashion. Perfect for busy, on-the-go individuals, great for get togethers and parties, and an easy option for your weekly meal prep!
In case you’re not familiar with what carnitas are – let me tell you! Carnitas is a traditional Mexican dish that consists of shredded pork that is cooked until the edges are slightly crispy, but overall- completely full of Mexican flavor! Being that I limit my pork intake, I decided to do what I do best with recipes and make a healthy swap!
So these carnitas are made with chicken!
Crispy on the edges, juicy towards the center and bursting with flavor. Your taste buds are going to sing! Actually, this dish will hit your sense of smell before it hits your sense of taste. Which isn’t a bad thing…. unless you’re hungry.
The smell towards the end of cooking will fill your house and cause your mouth to start salivating.
Another amazing thing about this recipe?? Just like with a lot of my recipes – its so easy to make!
Tips:
- This dish is cooked with chipotle peppers (just two) and a tablespoon of adobo sauce. You can find this canned together in the same aisle you will find salsa and other taco ingredients. The peppers will give the dish a bit of a spicy taste, so if you’re not a fan of even a small degree of spice, then I would omit it entirely.
- You can substitute the chicken with pork if you prefer the traditional version of carnitas. I used half chicken breast and half chicken thighs in this recipe. You can substitute to use all chicken breast or all chicken thighs. Chicken thighs (being a darker, fattier meat) will be more tender and flavorful than chicken breast.
- If you’re not a fan of crispy edges, then feel free to omit the broiling process. The meat that comes out of the crockpot is absolutely scrumptious. I know this because I was sampling as I was shredding! HA.
Serve these Chipotle Chicken Carnitas in your favorite taco mashup, over a salad, mixed with your favorite veggies, or stuffed into a delicious burrito! The combinations are endless, but sure to be delicious!
If you enjoy this recipe, then perhaps you will also enjoy:
- Southwest Style Sweet Potato Taco Lettuce Wraps
- Chicken Taco Lettuce Wraps
- Cheesy Skillet Taco Pasta
- The Best and Easiest Garlic Lime Steak Fajitas
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Easy Crockpot Chipotle Chicken Carnitas
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
To the Crockpot:
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 large orange (squeezed, approximately 1/3 cup juice)
- 2 chipotle peppers (diced)
- 1 tbsp adobo sauce
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 small white onion (diced)
Garnishment:
- freshly squeezed lime juice (3-4 limes)
- freshly chopped cilantro leaves
Instructions:
- Line the chicken breasts and thighs up in a large shallow dish.
- Combine the seasonings for the chicken in a small mixing bowl. Brush each chicken breast with olive oil, covering both sides, before seasoning all thoroughly.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the crockpot starting with the chicken broth and orange juice, followed by the peppers, adobo sauce, garlic, and white onion.
- Lastly, add the chicken - spreading it out in the pot. Make sure the chicken is relatively submerged in the liquid.
- Cover and allow to cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- When the chicken is ready, turn off the crockpot and prepare the oven by moving the top rack to the middle of the oven and turning the broiler on high. Coat a large baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- Carefully remove each piece of chicken from the crockpot. It will be extremely tender, so use tongs! Shred each thigh and breast using two forks.
- Add the shredded chicken to the prepared baking sheet, spreading it out evenly from corner to corner.
- Using a glass liquid measuring cup, scoop out 1/2 cup of the leftover broth mixture and pour it over the shredded chicken.
- Using tongs, toss the chicken to combine.
- Place into the oven to broil for 5 minutes. Remove, add one more 1/2 cup of the broth mixture, and toss to coat before returning to the oven for an additional 4-5 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, garnish with cilantro and lime juice. Enjoy with tacos, nachos, or in a bowl with your favorite veggies!
Notes:
- This dish is cooked with chipotle peppers (just two) and a tablespoon of adobo sauce. You can find this canned together in the same aisle you will find salsa and other taco ingredients. The peppers will give the dish a bit of a spicy taste, so if you're not a fan of even a small degree of spice, then I would omit it entirely.
- You can substitute the chicken with pork if you prefer the traditional version of carnitas. I used half chicken breast and half chicken thighs in this recipe. You can substitute to use all chicken breast or all chicken thighs. Chicken thighs (being a darker, fattier meat) will be more tender and flavorful than chicken breast.
- If you're not a fan of crispy edges, then feel free to omit the broiling process. The meat that comes out of the crockpot is absolutely scrumptious. I know this because I was sampling as I was shredding! HA.
Hands down best tacos I have ever made in My entire life. And I have made a lot of tacos. Thank you sooo much! Your recipes never ceases to amaze me.
How Much chicken is considered one Serving?
If you take a look at the recipe + the nutrition label: recipe makes approximately 8 cups of shredded chicken carnitas and the nutrition breakdown is for 1 serving – which is one cup! 🙂
Thank you for this great recipe!! We had it for supper tonight and my family loved it!!!
That’s wonderful! I”m so glad! Thank you!
Could you do this in thr instappt instead of crOckpot? If so is it tge same cook time? Thanks, love your recipes!!
Hey Megan! No, the time would drastically change as an Instant Pot will cook a great deal faster than a slow cooker. I would recommend around 15-20 minutes on High Pressure followed by a quick release.
Can you make tgis ahead by freezing it?
I don’t see why not!