Slow cooker cilantro lime chicken
11.18.2011 
My husband and I adore our slow cooker, especially in the winter-time. And guess what? It is winter-time! I had to bust out my fluffy pink driving mittens yesterday morning for the first time since, well, since last May. Last winter was a long, cold one here for us in Minnesota. Hopefully this winter won't be quite so brutal!
To help ease some of the pain involved in facing winter again so soon (it seems), we threw some ingredients into our slow cooker for a comforting, delicious meal. And listen, friends, I have never eaten such tender chicken in my life! I was pretty much able to shred it by just looking at it. And the flavor? Mmmmm, the flavor. Delicious! There is plenty of room to turn up the heat on this recipe, if that's what you prefer, and it's also easy enough to keep it on the mild side. Tailor it to your liking!
In a slow cooker, mix together:
One 24-ounce jar medium or mild salsa
Juice from one lime
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
One 1.25-oz. package taco seasoning
2 jalapeno peppers, finely chopped (optional)
Add 4-6 boneless chicken breast halves (completely defrosted) to the slow cooker and coat with the salsa mixture. Cover and cook on Low for 6 hours.
Serve the chicken with the salsa mixture spooned over the top. If you're feeling crazy, throw a dollup of sour cream on top with some crushed tortilla chips.
This is also delicious as a taco filling or in a taco salad.
Gotta go find my Snuggie!
Click here for a printable recipe!
Reader Comments (161)
I found this recipe on Pinterest and featured it on my blog www.engineeringlifeandstyle.blogspot.com
We made this tonight for dinner and it was delicious.....I added an onion....and juiced an extra lime....and used red pepper instead of the jalapenos......Yuuuummm!!
I made this yesterday and it is DELICIOUS. For the taco seasoning I made my own (an idea also found on Pinterest). This dish is SO flavorful and warms you up (getting chilly now in MN). I served it in a bowl with rinsed black beans, lite shredded cheese and some fresh diced onion. Definitely making this again.
I made this and it is AMAZING! So easy and tasty. The great part about this meal is that is can be shredded for chicken enchiladas, quesadillas or soft tacos OR just serve over rice! I have already passed this recipe on and have gotten raving reviews
I made this today and it was absolutely delicous! I used it as taco filling, and my husband and I ate several each. Thanks for sharing this recipe! I'm sure I'll make it again many times in the future!
I made this chicken dish last night and it was a hit. I made it with cilantro lime white rice and refried beans. It was so easy and delicious. My boys asked when I can make it again. Thanks for the recipe.
I tried this recipe tonight for dinner! Whipped it up in minutes and let it cook on high for around 4.5 hours. The chicken was so tender and the sauce was good. It has a lot of flavor, a spicy kick to it (I only used one jalapeño pepper), and the dinner was great! I put the chicken pieces on top of a warm tortilla shell and served it with steamed veggies and Mexican style rice! It was delicious- definitely something different to try! Thanks!
This was amazing!!! I'm definately going to be blogging out this!!! My husband loved it!
http://everydayclassroom.blogspot.com/p/food.html
I am in Minnesota, too. I have to try this recipe soon!
I'm going to make some yellow rice to serve with this. Thanks for a great recipe!
This looks DELICIOUS!! its in the crockpot right now!! cant wait to try it!
YUM! I made this minus the cilantro and the lime, but I think that might give it a great flair! I always shred it for chicken tacos! You can also use a can of rotel tomatoes in place of the salsa!
FWIW, I've never defrosted the chicken... I usually put the breasts in there frozen and cook on low for 8-10 and it comes out moist and fully cooked! So delicious!
I just found your recipe and it sounds so good I had to try it. However, I only had two boneless skinless chicken breasts of unequal size in the fridge. So, I cut them up into smaller pieces and added 2 red bell peppers, 1 can of corn (no salt added) and 1 can of black beans (rinsed). I'm starting the mixture on high since I'm getting a late start tonight, but I plan to turn it down to low in an hour or so.
It already smells great!
I plan to serve it over rice...or maybe shred the chicken and make burritos with it if the meat is really tender!!
Thanks for the recipe!
Crockpots were made for Minnesota winters. We love ours too - this looks like a great new recipe to try out next week!
Just put mine in the crockpot. The ingredients smelled so good while assembling. I have been looking for more uses for cillantro. Thank you for posting this recipe and the photos! Looking forward to my lunch!
Finally made this tonight!!! Used it in taco salads and it was delish and easy!
You aren't supposed to put frozen meat in the crock pot due to food safety issues, per the USDA. Something about the cooking temperatures, and the rate of defrosting/cooking. Be safe.
I'm making this right now. I used the Victoria brand salsa (mild) and my house smells delicious. And it's only been an hour of it cooking. Can't wait to try.
Thanks for posting! I made this two weeks ago for my boyfriend and I and we both loved it (and he is also a very picky eater)! I will definitely be making this more!!
I tried this recipe for a Taco Salad party and it turned out so well! I used bone-in chicken breast because I like the way shredded chicken turns out with them, Easy way to cook chicken for various south of the border recipes!! May I share this on my blog and link here?
Hi Denise! Of course, feel free to post this and link back!
Megan
made this with pork and sweet rice. YUM!
When you say 4 chicken breast halves do you mean 4 whole chicken breasts or 2 chicken breasts sliced in half?
Hi Megan,
I pinned your recipe a long time ago, and I am finally trying it for tonight's dinner. I had to make a few adjustments based on the ingredients that I had on hand, but I think it'll turn out great. Thanks for sharing! Have a great day. ~Sally
Hi Liz! I think you must be thinking of each "chicken breast half" as a "chicken breast." Chicken breasts come as a pair, so a half of that would be considered a "chicken breast half." I hope that makes sense!!
Megan
Success!!! Made a few adjustments based on what I had on hand, but... the family loved it, and voted it "a keeper!"