An easy 5-minute prep recipe, this crockpot Mexican chicken gives you the most tender, juicy, shreddable chicken. It’s perfectly seasoned so it’s a little smoky, a little spicy and a lot of delicious! Devour it in tacos, make it into southwest style bowls or serve it any way you wish!

Horizontal image of crockpot mexican chicken in a skillet after being re-heated. Garnished with chopped cilantro and lime wedges.

A simple mexican chicken seasoning

We always make our own seasonings at home instead of buying pre-made store blends. With just a quick measurement and mix of some seasonings from your pantry, you can have an amazing Mexican chicken seasoning that’s better than the store-bought packet!

Check out some other simple seasoning mixes in our post 10 Easy Homemade Spice Blends.

Vertical overhead image of mexican chicken served in two bowls with rice and avocado. Garnished with fresh cilantro and a lime wedge. this recipe

The best Mexican shredded chicken

We love using our crockpot to batch cook recipes that are versatile and perfect for leftovers. The slow cooker also turns this recipe into juicy chicken that’s easily shreddable! We love this Mexican shredded chicken because it goes with just about anything.

Our favorite ways to serve it are:

  • Tacos
  • Quesadillas
  • Salads (with a little Chipotle Aioli – perfection!)
  • Burritos or burrito bowls
Vertical overhead image of crockpot mexican chicken in a skillet after re-heating. Garnished with cilantro and lime wedges.

Super easy crockpot Mexican chicken

This recipe isn’t quite as easy as dumping a jar of salsa over some chicken breasts or thighs – but it’s close. You don’t need to brown the chicken or do anything fancy, just slather it with the Mexican chicken seasoning, dump in the other ingredients and call it good!

Vertical overhead image of two bowls with mexican chicken, rice and avocado. Garnished with a lime wedge and and fresh cilantro.

Make it Instant Pot Mexican chicken instead

You can easily use the Instant Pot to make this recipe too! Just follow the same basic instructions and as the slow cooker version but cook the chicken on high pressure for 22 minutes. After the time is up, do a quick release and then shred the chicken in the Instant Pot with the juices.

Close up angled image of crockpot mexican chicken in a bowl served with rice and avocado. Garnished with a lime wedge and fresh cilantro.

Some other favorite Mexican chicken recipes

Your turn to make this versatile shredded chicken recipe

Whip up a simple seasoning, dump in the other ingredients and set it and forget it! We know you’ll love the smoky Mexican flavor and we think it might be your new favorite healthy chicken recipe!

If you try this recipe, be sure to leave a comment below and let us know how it goes. Also, take a pic to share on Instagram. Tag us @realsimplegood, we love to see what you’re cooking!

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Perfectly Seasoned Crockpot Mexican Chicken

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 4 hrs
Total: 4 hrs 5 mins
Servings: 6
An easy prep recipe, this perfectly seasoned crockpot Mexican chicken uses either breasts or thighs and gives you the best tender, juicy, shredded chicken.
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Ingredients

  • 2 lbs (907.18 g) boneless skinless chicken thighs, (or breasts)
  • 1 (113.4 g) can green chiles, (4 oz)
  • 1/2 cup (117.5 g) chicken broth
  • 1 (1 ) lime, juice of

For the seasoning:

  • 2 tsp (2 tsp) chili powder
  • 2 tsp (2 tsp) garlic powder
  • 1 tsp (1 tsp) paprika
  • 1 tsp (1 tsp) cumin
  • 1 tsp (1 tsp) onion powder
  • 1 tsp (1 tsp) oregano
  • 1 tsp (1 tsp) salt sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp (1/2 tsp) pepper
  • 1/4 tsp (1/4 tsp) cayenne pepper, (to taste, omit for no spice or add more for spicy)

Equipment

Instructions
 

  • Make the seasoning by adding all of the seasoning ingredients to a small bowl or jar and mixing.
  • Add the chicken to the crockpot. Pour the seasoning over the chicken and flip a couple of times to coat both sides.
  • Add in the chicken broth and green chiles. Squeeze in the lime juice.
  • Place the cover on the crockpot and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for for 4 hours.
  • Once the chicken is done, shred with two forks. Serve and enjoy.

Notes

  • You can use either chicken thighs or breasts for this recipe and follow the same cooking instructions.
  • For the Instant Pot, follow steps 1-3 above. Place chicken in the Instant Pot and set it to cook at high pressure for 22 minutes. After the time is up, do a quick release and then shred the chicken in the Instant Pot with the juices.
  • Nutrition facts are per serving and are an estimate provided for those following a Ketogenic or low-carb diet. See our full nutrition information disclosure here. 
Calories: 197kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 30g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Fiber: 1g
Course: Main Course
Author: Justin Winn
Cuisine: Mexican
Did you make this recipe?Tag @realsimplegood with hashtag #realsimplegood on Instagram. We love to see what you make!
Perfectly Seasoned Crockpot Mexican ChickenPerfectly Seasoned Crockpot Mexican Chicken
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