Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken

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So easy to make with simple ingredients, this shredded slow cooker cilantro lime chicken recipe yields perfectly tender, juicy, and flavorful chicken every single time. Perfect for burrito bowls, burritos, tacos, and more!

One of the easiest crock pot to prep for a busy weeknight meal, this shredded cilantro lime chicken recipe is versatile, flavorful, and can be easily doubled for meal preps!

Shredded cilantro lime chicken topped with chopped cilantro in a slow cooker.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

It doesn't require a ton of effort to prep this slow cooker cilantro lime chicken recipe! It takes me 10 minutes max to throw everything into the slow cooker and then I just set it and forget it!
This crockpot shredded cilantro lime chicken requires less than 10 ingredients but it still tastes fresh and flavorful.
You can do so much with this shredded chicken! I love making it for taco Tuesday and using this as the taco chicken filling. I also love using it in burritos and burrito bowls.

Ingredients You'll Need

Ingredients needed to make slow cooker cilantro lime chicken.

chicken broth — I like to use low sodium broth as I'm adding salt to the liquid but you can use regular broth and use less salt. I just like to be able to control how much salt is added.
seasoning — I use a combination of garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
limes — you'll need lime zest and lime juice. I like freshly squeezed lime since it tastes more bright and fresh.
cilantro — can't make cilantro chicken without fresh cilantro!

How To Make Shredded Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken

Set of two photos showing chicken broth and lime combined and chicken breasts added to a slow cooker.

In a bowl, combine the chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, lime juice, and lime zest.
Add the chicken breasts to the slow cooker.

Set of two photos showing liquid added to the chicken breasts and then the chicken slow cooked.

Add the liquid mixture to the chicken breasts and cook on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours or LOW for 5 to 6 hours.

Set of two photos showing chicken breasts shredded with two forks and cilantro added.

Using two forks, shred the chicken breasts in the crock pot, in the liquid.
Add the cilantro and stir to combine. Add more lime juice as needed.

A bowl of rice, corn, guacamole, red onions, lime wedge, and shredded slow cooker cilantro lime chicken.

Recipes Variations

Use chicken thighs in place of chicken breasts.
Add some red pepper flakes at the end to add a bit of heat to the shredded cilantro lime chicken.
Double the chicken! Make sure to double the liquid as well. No need to change the cooking time.

Tips and Notes

Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
I recommend using freshly squeezed lime juice. Bottled lime juice just doesn't have the same bright flavor to it. Some bottled varieties have a bitter aftertaste as well. Bring the limes to room temperature and roll them under your hand on the counter to loosen up the juices. This way you get the most juice out of the lime as possible.
Don't forget to zest the limes first before juicing them!
Avoid opening the slow cooker lid while the chicken cooks. It'll let out the steam that it worked so hard to build up and the chicken will take longer to cook.
To store the leftover shredded cilantro chicken, allow the chicken to cool to room temperature and then transfer them to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave.

A close up view of shredded slow cooker cilantro lime chicken in a bowl with rice, corn, red onions, guacamole, and a lime wedge.

Can I make this into a freezer meal?

Yes, you totally can! Place the chicken breasts with the liquid into a freezer-safe bag, press out the air, and seal. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, defrost in the fridge overnight, and add everything to the crock pot and cook as directly. Stir in the cilantro at the end.

You can also freeze the shredded chicken with the liquid before adding the cilantro. Wait for the shredded chicken to cool and transfer everything to a freezer-safe bag, press out the air, and seal. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, defrost in the fridge overnight, reheat in the microwave or stove top and then stir in the cilantro.

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