Only five ingredients are required for this flavorful (and versatile!) slow cooker chipotle chicken! Use it as a filling for enchiladas, quesadillas, or tacos. It’s simple, tasty, and full of flavor!
5 simple ingredients + a slow cooker make for a flavorful and very versatile shredded chicken. This 5 ingredient slow cooker chipotle chicken can be used for enchiladas, tacos, tostadas, nachos, salads, and quesadillas.
There are few things more satisfying than throwing a bunch of ingredients into a slow cooker, turning it on, and having dinner a few hours later. Or in this case, a base for a bunch of different dinner options!
I like to make a big batch of this tasty chicken and then have it on hand for al sorts of meals. The shredded chicken also freezes well to have for quick meals later on!
5 Ingredient Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken
Grab a blender or food processor to make the sauce. Toss in garlic, lime juice, chicken broth, chipotle peppers, and a hearty pinch of salt and pepper. Blend it up until it’s smooth and then pour it over the chicken in your slow cooker. Cook the chicken on low heat for about 4 hours, or until it’s tender and you can shred it.
If you want to be a little extra, you could sear your chicken before putting it into the slow cooker. I find this step to add more depth of flavor and keep the chicken juicier. However, it’s not necessary and I’m often too lazy to do it. If you go this route, season the chicken well with salt and pepper and then just sear it in a hot sauté pan until you get some color on each side.
Once your chicken is cooked, shred it with two forks or pop it in a stand mixer and use the paddle attachment to shred it for you! It only takes seconds this way and I love the texture it gives – just don’t overdo it. Toss the shredded back into the sauce and you’re ready to build your dinner.
The options are endless. You can serve:
- Enchiladas: stuff the chicken into corn tortillas with cheese and cover with a quick homemade ranchero sauce. Yum!
- Tacos: a no brainer for chipotle chicken! Grab your favorite taco shells and top ’em however you like.
- Burrito bowls: cook up some rice, top with chicken, your favorite salsas, maybe some beans, cheese, lettuce, guacamole… you get the point!
- Salads: perfect for meal prep! Pile the chicken over a bed of lettuce and your favorite toppings. I’d go with corn, black beans, cheese, sliced bell peppers, corn chips, and plenty of cilantro. A zippy lime vinaigrette or southwest style ranch dressing would make a perfect finisher!
- Tostadas: my personal favorite option. Top crisp tostada shells with the chicken and cheese and bake until the cheese is melted. Then top however you like!
I hope you enjoy this chicken as much as I do!
Only five ingredients are required for this flavorful (and versatile!) slow cooker chipotle chicken! Use it as a filling for enchiladas, quesadillas, or tacos. It's simple, tasty, and full of flavor!
- 3 Cloves Garlic, peeled
- 1 Lime, juiced
- 1 Cup Chicken Broth
- 6 Chipotle Peppers in Adobo
- Salt & Pepper
- 2 ½ – 3 lbs. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts*
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Combine the garlic, lime juice, chicken broth, chipotle peppers, and a hearty pinch of salt and pepper into a blender and blend until smooth.
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Add the chicken and sauce to slow cooker and set to low for 4 hours.
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Once the chicken is cooked and tender, shred with 2 forks or use a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
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Enjoy your chicken in tacos, burrito bowls, enchiladas, etc. See the post for ideas!
Chicken Thighs
Boneless skinless thighs may also be used. Cook for 5-6 hours on low.
Rotisserie Chicken
If you’re really short on time, you can grab 2 rotisserie chickens, shred them, and toss them in pot with the blended sauce until everything is warmed through.
InstantPot
I tested this recipe in the InstantPot and I wasn’t thrilled with the texture and flavor of the chicken. I personally don’t enjoy chicken breasts cooked in the InstantPot so I highly recommend using thighs if you want to use this method. Combine the sauce and boneless skinless thighs in the InstantPot, cook on high pressure for 10 minutes and do a 5 minute natural release. The InstantPot will take around 20 minutes to come to pressure, so plan for about 35 minutes using this method.
I love that this shredded chicken contains just five ingredients, Keri! I’m dreaming all of the ways that I could use this up. Sounds zesty and delicious!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Peanut Butter Pie Pops
Thanks Gayle! There are so many different uses for it!
Just five ingredients for this incredible chicken?? This is fantastic! I love recipes that can save me money!
Shelby @ Go Eat and Repeat recently posted…Watermelon Salad with Balsamic Reduction
Thanks Shelby! It’s great to make a batch and then make a bunch of different meals from it – perfect to keep the budget in check!
Oh man, I hate when something doesn’t work out and you’re left with nothing for dinner! And even worse that happened on the night you wrote this post! I’m really excited about this shredded chicken recipe though! I’m always looking for easy dinners, especially in the summer, and you can’t beat rotisserie chicken, though it can get a little boring when it’s plain. Love how you spiced it up, I’m totally going to try this!
Maya @ Treats and Eats recently posted…Cornmeal Pancakes
I’m obsessed with rotisserie chickens – I buy one every week from Costco! I love adding different flavors to it and this one is by far my favorite! Thanks Maya!
I am SO loving this Keri! I am absolutely going to try it soon :). Pinned!
Annie @ The Garlic Diaries recently posted…Quinoa Mac and Cheese
Thanks Annie!
Loving this, Keri! ONLY 5 ingredients to obtain delicious, tender shredded chipotle chicken? I am SO in! I love that this is versatile and I can imagine using this in a TON of dishes (<– if i don't eat it all with a serving fork first!) Pinned! Cheers, girlfriend!
P.S- so sorry about your zoodle dish discovery FAIL! And the popcorn situation. Man, that stinks!
Thanks Cheyanne! I made this with the intention of making a ton of different dishes and I ended up only making one – the rest was eaten with a fork or thrown on my salads! I ran out to get more stuff to make it again this week haha!
OHHHHHHHHH YES! This right here is what I crave all the live long day!! 😀 😀 😀 I need to make a hugeeeee pot filled and keep it in my fridge at all times! 😉
GiGi Eats recently posted…Foods Fit Foodies Favor
Me too Gigi! I just can’t get enough!
This chicken sounds fantastic! Love that it is only 5 ingredients and so easy! Win-win!
This chicken looks delish! I am always looking for new ways to make chicken since my hubs and son are huge fans. Love that it’s only 5 ingredients too!
Kelly – Life Made Sweeter recently posted…Berries and Cream Sponge Cake
Love the 5 ingredient promise, Keri! Looks so simple and definitely delicious!
Savita @ ChefDeHome recently posted…By ChefDeHome- One Pot Curry Chicken and Rice
Do you think this will work for shrimp too?
Wow… this looks tasty! only 5 ingredients for an appetizing dish. Like it!!