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–+ servings
Shredded Mexican-style chicken cooked in a slow cooker. It's in a round serving dish with a wooden spoon.
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Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken

This slow cooker shredded Mexican chicken is an easy and flavorful dinner staple. It's perfectly seasoned and great for quesadillas, tacos, nachos, burrito bowls, and more! It's my go-to recipe when I need a hands-off dinner ready to dig into on our busiest weeknights!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time3 hours
Total Time3 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 6
Author: Katie Youngs

Ingredients

  • 2.5 pounds chicken breast boneless, skinless
  • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 14.5 ounces fire roasted diced tomatoes 1 small can, with juices
  • 1 cup salsa thick and chunky

Instructions

  • Trim any fat or undesirable-looking sections from your chicken and place it in the bottom of your slow cooker.
  • Add all of the seasonings to a small bowl and give them a good mix.
  • Drizzle the chicken with olive oil, then sprinkle with the seasoning blend, and toss until the chicken is fully coated on all sides.
  • Pour the tomatoes and salsa over top of the seasoned chicken breasts. There's no need to stir it, but you can if you'd like to.
  • Cover the slow cooker and cook the Mexican chicken on low for about 6 hours or high for 3 hours. You'll know it's done when it pulls apart easily with a fork!
  • Once the chicken is tender, shred it and stir it back into the cooking juices.
  • Serve warm in tacos, quesadillas, burritos, enchiladas, or over rice, and enjoy!

Notes

  • This recipe yields approximately six, 1-cup servings. 
  • I keep this recipe mild for my family, but if you like more heat, you can use hot salsa, stir in chopped jalapeños, add a pinch of cayenne pepper, or top your meal with your favorite hot sauce.
  • The nutrition information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice.

Nutrition

Calories: 290kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 121mg | Sodium: 1197mg | Potassium: 839mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 806IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 2mg

Find it online at sugarandsnappeas.com!