Why You’ll Love This this Juicy Mexican Shredded Chicken
This Mexican shredded chicken practically cooks itself while you binge-watch your favorite show, because who’s time to babysit dinner when there’s drama to catch up on.
The smoky chipotle chiles and fire-roasted tomatoes create this rich, complex flavor that makes you look like a culinary genius, even though you literally just dumped everything into a crockpot and walked away.
Plus, you’ll have enough leftover shredded chicken to meal prep for days, which means future you’ll thank present you for being so wonderfully lazy, I mean, efficient.
Ingredients List
Grab these simple ingredients and you’ll be well on your way to the most flavorful shredded chicken that’ll make your taste buds do a little happy dance.
- 4-5 boneless chicken breasts or skinless chicken breasts
- Chicken broth
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 7 ounces chipotle chiles in adobo
- 14 1/2 ounces diced fire-roasted tomatoes
- 1 yellow onion, sliced
- Salt and pepper
Quick health considerations to keep in mind:
- This recipe is naturally high in protein and relatively low in calories, making it perfect for meal prep warriors
- The chipotle chiles pack some heat and sodium, so if you’re watching your salt intake, you might want to go easy on the extra seasoning
- Fire-roasted tomatoes add lycopene and vitamins without sneaky sugars, which is always a win in my book
- Using chicken broth instead of water bumps up the flavor, though low-sodium versions work great if you’re being mindful about that stuff
Step by Step Directions
This slow-cooker Mexican shredded chicken comes together in just a few simple steps that’ll have your kitchen smelling incredible.
- Place 4-5 boneless chicken breasts in a large crockpot and cover completely with chicken broth.
- Add 1/4 teaspoon each of chili powder, oregano, and cumin to the pot.
- Stir in 7 ounces chipotle chiles in adobo and 14 1/2 ounces diced fire-roasted tomatoes.
- Add 1 sliced yellow onion and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Mix all ingredients together in the crockpot.
- Cook on high for 3.5-4 hours until chicken is tender and easily shreds.
- Remove chicken breasts from the crockpot and shred using two forks.
- Turn crockpot to warm setting and return shredded chicken to simmer in the cooking juices for 30 minutes.
- Serve immediately in tacos, burritos, or your favorite Mexican dishes.
For the best results and durability, consider using a premium stainless slow cooker that provides even heat distribution and long-lasting performance.
Substitutions and Variations
- Veggie boost – Toss in a diced bell pepper or two, because vegetables make everything healthier, right.
- Different spice blend – Try taco seasoning instead of the individual spices if that’s what you have on hand, though you might want to go easy on the salt since most seasoning packets are pretty salty.
- Make it saucier – Add a jar of your favorite salsa instead of the diced tomatoes, just pick one that’s not too chunky.
Additional Things to Serve With This Dish
This tender, flavorful chicken is basically begging to be turned into a complete meal.
- Warm tortillas – Whether you go flour or corn, warm them up on a dry skillet for about 30 seconds per side, and suddenly you’ve got yourself a proper taco night.
- Mexican rice – The kind that’s fluffy and slightly orange from tomato sauce, perfect for soaking up all those delicious chicken juices.
- Refried beans – Because what’s Mexican food without beans, and they add that creamy texture that makes everything feel more substantial.
- Fresh toppings bar – Set out bowls of diced onions, chopped cilantro, lime wedges, and shredded cheese so everyone can build their perfect bite.
- Guacamole and sour cream – The cool, creamy contrast to all that smoky chipotle heat, though to be frank, guac makes everything better.
- Mexican street corn salad – That charred corn with mayo, cotija cheese, and chili powder, but in easier-to-eat salad form.
- Simple green salad – Sometimes you need something fresh and crunchy to balance out all the rich, saucy goodness.
Cooking Tips & Tricks (Chef’s Notes)
After making this recipe more times than I care to admit, I’ve picked up a few tricks that’ll save you from the mistakes I wish someone had warned me about.
- Don’t skip the fire-roasted tomatoes – Regular diced tomatoes work, but you’ll miss that smoky depth that makes people ask what your secret is.
- Shred while it’s hot – Hot chicken falls apart like a dream, but once it cools down, you’re in for an arm workout that nobody signed up for.
- Save that cooking liquid – It’s liquid gold, seriously, and you can thin out the final dish if it gets too thick, or freeze it for the most incredible soup base.
- Go easy on the chipotle at first – Those little peppers pack a punch that builds as it cooks, and there’s no coming back from too much heat.
- Let it rest in the juices – That final 30-minute simmer isn’t just for show, it’s when the chicken really soaks up all those flavors and transforms from good to incredible.
- Double the recipe – This freezes beautifully, and future you’ll thank present you when dinner needs to happen in 10 minutes.
- Use two forks for shredding – One to hold, one to pull, and suddenly you look like you know what you’re doing in the kitchen.
Nutritional Facts
This protein-packed Mexican shredded chicken delivers impressive nutritional value while keeping calories in check. Each serving provides lean protein to fuel your day without the guilt.
- Calories: Approximately 185 per serving (based on 6 servings)
- Protein: 35g – excellent source for muscle maintenance and satiety
- Fat: 3g – naturally low-fat from lean chicken breast
- Carbohydrates: 4g – primarily from tomatoes and onions
- Fiber: 1g – from vegetables and spices
- Sodium: 290mg – moderate level, easily adjustable
- Cholesterol: 85mg – from chicken breast
- Vitamin C: 15% DV – from fire-roasted tomatoes
- Iron: 8% DV – from chipotle peppers and spices
- Potassium: 420mg – supports heart health
- Zero sugar – making it ideal for low-carb and keto diets
- Gluten-free – naturally suitable for gluten-sensitive diets
Fun “Did You Know?”
Did you know that chipotle peppers are actually jalapeños that have been smoked and dried? I find this fascinating because it means we’re getting layers of flavor – the heat from jalapeños plus that distinctive smoky depth.
Fire-roasted tomatoes also add incredible complexity to this recipe. They’re charred over open flames, which caramelizes their natural sugars and creates a deeper, richer taste than regular canned tomatoes.
That’s why this shredded chicken has such amazing flavor! The combination of smoky chipotles and fire-roasted tomatoes creates an authentic Mexican taste that’ll make your tacos absolutely irresistible.
