Slow-Cooked Shredded Chicken (Print View)

Tender shredded chicken slow-cooked with spices, perfect for warm tortillas and flavorful meals.

# Components:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 lbs bone-in, skinless chicken thighs or drumsticks
02 - 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Spices

05 - 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - ½ teaspoon dried oregano
09 - ½ teaspoon salt
10 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Sauce

11 - 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes with juices
12 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
13 - 1 tablespoon lime juice

→ To Serve

14 - 12 small corn or flour tortillas
15 - Optional toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomato, chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, shredded cheese, sour cream, lime wedges

# Directions:

01 - Place chicken thighs or drumsticks in the bottom of the crock-pot.
02 - Scatter chopped onion and minced garlic evenly over the chicken.
03 - Combine chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl, then sprinkle evenly over the chicken and aromatics.
04 - Pour diced tomatoes with their juices, tomato paste, and chicken broth over the ingredients in the crock-pot.
05 - Cover and cook on low setting for 6 hours, or on high for 3 hours, until chicken is tender and shreds easily.
06 - Remove chicken from the crock-pot, discard bones, and shred the meat with two forks.
07 - Return shredded chicken to the crock-pot, stir to incorporate with the sauce, then mix in lime juice.
08 - Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until pliable.
09 - Fill warmed tortillas with shredded chicken and garnish with desired toppings. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Effortless crock-pot preparation for hands-off cooking
  • Versatile crowd-pleaser that suits many diets
02 -
  • Use corn tortillas for a gluten-free option since flour tortillas contain gluten
  • If using cheese or sour cream as toppings the dish contains dairy
03 -
  • For extra depth add a chopped chipotle pepper in adobo sauce before cooking
  • Use boneless skinless chicken breasts for a lighter version and reduce cooking time by 1 hour
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