How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Carnitas - A Step-by-Step Guide

Slow cooker chicken carnitas are a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a busy weeknight or a lazy Sunday afternoon. This recipe takes all the flavors of traditional pork carnitas and applies them to tender, juicy chicken, resulting in a flavorful and satisfying meal that the whole family will love.

One of the great things about this recipe is that it can be prepared in the morning, and then left to cook all day in the slow cooker, allowing the flavors to meld and the ch...

Read more Snack recipes

Ingredients

  • 2 cubes chicken bouillon
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large white onion, diced
  • 2 jalapeno peppers, diced
  • 1 (4 ounce) can fire-roasted diced green chiles
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried cilantro
  • 1 teaspoon Mexican-style seasoning blend
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic and herb seasoning blend
  • ¼ teaspoon chile powder
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon dry mustard powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 ¼ pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
  • 2 limes, zested and juiced
  • 1 orange, zested and juiced
  • 4 cloves garlic

Information

  • Prep Time: 25 mins
  • Cook Time: 4 hrs 15 mins
  • Total Time: 4 hrs 40 mins
  • Servings: 8
  • Yield: 8 servings

  • Dissolve chicken bouillon in boiling water.
  • Heat oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until translucent and browned, about 5 minutes. Add jalapenos and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add green chiles; cook for 3 minutes more.
  • Mix salt, cilantro, Mexican seasoning, cumin, basil, oregano, garlic powder, seasoning blend, chile powder, paprika, mustard powder, and black pepper together in a bowl.
  • Trim chicken as needed. Coat all sides with the seasoning blend.
  • Place onion mixture in a slow cooker. Add chicken broth, juice and zest from the limes and orange, and garlic cloves. Place chicken on top. Cover and cook on Low until chicken is no longer pink inside and very tender, 4 to 6 hours.
  • Nutrition

    178 cal.

    • Total Fat: 5g
    • Saturated Fat: 1g
    • Cholesterol: 66mg
    • Sodium: 825mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 8g
    • Dietary Fiber: 2g
    • Total Sugars: 4g
    • Protein: 26g
    • Vitamin C: 30mg
    • Calcium: 43mg
    • Iron: 1mg
    • Potassium: 302mg