Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken: The 5-Ingredient Set-It-and-Forget-It Dinner Hero
Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken – tender, flavorful shredded chicken infused with zesty lime, fresh cilantro, and warm spices like chili powder and cumin. This easy dump-and-go recipe is perfect for tacos, burrito bowls, salads, rice bowls, and meal prep. Set it and forget it for a delicious, versatile protein!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 360 minutes (6 hours on LOW)
- Total Time: 365 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 bunch cilantro, chopped
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts into the slow cooker.
- Season with chili powder, cumin, garlic salt, salt, and pepper.
- Add chopped cilantro and pour tomato sauce over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours until chicken is tender.
- Shred chicken directly in the slow cooker and mix well with the sauce.
- Add fresh lime juice and stir to combine.
- Serve over rice, in tacos, or as desired.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for even juicier results.
- Add the lime juice at the end – cooking it for too long can make it bitter.
- For extra heat, add a diced jalapeño or 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper.
- Leftover chicken can be refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Serve in tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, salads, rice bowls, or over cilantro lime rice.
- Top with fresh avocado, sour cream, cheese, or extra cilantro.
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free.