Menu Planning Central

Making Life Easier Since 2007!

  • Home
  • About
    • Lifetime Member Update
  • Menus
    • Current Family Favorites Recipes
    • Family Favorites – Free Week
    • Family Favorites Menu Plan
    • Healthy 30 Minute Meals – Free Week
  • Recipes
  • Contact
  • Login
    • Affiliates
  • Cart

South of the Border Slow Cooker Chicken

Spread the love
    4    

Slow Cooker Mexican ChickenIf you’ve been searching for a healthy and delicious slow cooker chicken recipe, you’ve found it!  This Mexican inspired dish is loaded with flavors from South of the border.  It is so simple to make and can be served in so many different ways.

It is perfect for burrito bowls, in lettuce wraps, or one of my favorite ways to serve it… over a bed of flavorful cilantro-lime rice. This freezes well so make a double batch and enjoy it for dinner this week and have one in the freezer to heat up on a busy night when you just don’t have time to make dinner for your family. You’ll be so glad you did!

Tip: Don’t skip the squeeze of fresh lime juice after cooking. It really brightens the flavors and pulls them all together. As an added bonus, zest your lime before juicing and save the zest to add a flavor boost to rice, beans, shrimp or even sprinkle on a salad.  It really helps the flavors pop!

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 3–8 hours
Serves: 4-6

Slow Cooker Mexican ChickenIngredients:

2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 10-oz. cans Rotel fire-roasted diced tomatoes & green chilies, undrained
2 15-oz. cans black beans, rinsed and drained
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1 small jalapeno pepper, finely diced
1½ T. hickory-flavored liquid smoke
2 t. ground cumin
1 T. chili powder
1 t. smoked paprika
2 t. dried oregano
1 t. cayenne pepper
Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
2 limes, quartered
¼ c. fresh cilantro, chopped

Directions:

  1. Unroll and add chicken thighs to bottom of a 5 or 6-quart slow cooker crock. Top with tomatoes, black beans, garlic, jalapeno pepper, liquid smoke, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, and cayenne pepper. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste. Stir to combine, making sure the chicken thighs are coated and submerged in the liquid.
  2. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours. 30 minutes before done cooking, remove lid and shred chicken while in the slow cooker with two forks. Stir to combine shredded chicken with other ingredients. Cover and cook for remaining 30 minutes to allow chicken to absorb the flavors.
  3. Remove lid and squeeze fresh lime juice into the crock. Add cilantro and stir to combine. Season with additional salt and black pepper, if desired.
  4. To serve, spoon chicken mixture over plain brown rice or cilantro-lime rice. Top with cilantro-lime sauce if desired. Serve with remaining lime wedges. Enjoy!

If you enjoyed these recipes, take a look at our Family Favorites Menu Plans for even more delicious and easy recipes your family will love.  They will make your life so much easier!

Save $15 on our convenient annual plan with Coupon Code Save15!

Are you a member of our  “Refer A Friend” program? If not, click this link for details! ?

 

Search this site…

Try Family Favorites Menu Plans for 7 Days - Free

Our Favorite Recipes

20 scrumptious apple recipes

20 Scrumptious Apple Recipes

Spread the love
    95    

Spread the love    95     I love fall, and I love all the apple and pumpkin recipes that are so popular at this time of year! Today I’ve got a great round-up for you of 20 yummy apple recipes! Check these out: 1. Healthy Spicy Pumpkin and Apple Crumble Squares:  Lots of yummy whole foods, and of […]

Apple & Herb Stuffed Pork Chops

Spread the love
    102    

Spread the love    102    This easy apple stuffed pork chop recipe is a delicious and healthy meal your whole family will love! Each and every bite of these delicious apple stuffed pork chops is loaded with incredible flavor. The fresh rosemary and lemon zest lend a light citrus nuance, while the apple and cinnamon add a depth […]

Apple-Cinnamon Slow Cooker Oats

Apple-Cinnamon Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats

Spread the love
    80    

Spread the love    80    There is nothing better than waking up and having a delicious and healthy breakfast hot and ready! If your house is like mine, mornings are crazy busy so you will love the fact that this make-ahead recipe is prepared the night before. Your slow cooker will do all the work while you are fast […]

Ancho Chicken Quesadillas

Spread the love
    18    

Spread the love    18     You can always count on store bought rotisserie chicken for a fast and easy weeknight meal, but that doesn’t mean it needs to be boring! This recipe can be on the table in about 20 minutes, plus it packs a lot of flavor into each bite.  We’ve paired this with our Authentic […]

20 Sweet Valentine’s Day Treats for the Classroom

Spread the love
         

Spread the love          It’s party time and your kids need treats for their Valentine’s Day celebration! We’ve got a great round-up of the cutest, yummiest creations you can whip up in your kitchen! Love Letter Cookies DIY Conversation Hearts Play Dough Cookie Pops Valentine’s Day Airplanes Heart Cookie Sandwiches White Chocolate Popcorn Chocolate Covered Pretzels […]

DIY Halloween Cakes YOU Can Make!

Spread the love
    3    

Spread the love    3     Want to do something truly impressive for your Halloween party or to donate to a carnival Cake Walk this year? Make one of these impressive cakes and set the mood! Monster Cake:  Cute idea and not too difficult to do. Eyeball cake:  Creepy and fun!  Looks like a fairly easy one to […]

Grilled Herb-Rubbed Bone-In Pork Chops

Grilled Herb-Rubbed, Bone-In Pork Chops

Spread the love
    13    

Spread the love    13    Affiliate links are used in this post. Looking for something different for dinner tonight?  Your family is going to LOVE these moist and juicy grilled pork chops!   You will want to check out our signature Family Favorites Menu Plans for even more delicious and easy recipes your family will love! Grilling pork […]

Green Bean Casserole

Spread the love
    21    

Spread the love    21     Green Bean Casserole is a holiday staple, but you typically see it mixed with creamed canned soups.  This recipe is from scratch, and adds a delicious crunchy topping that you’ll love!  We’ve included this terrific recipe in December’s Family Favorites Menu Plan. Crunchy Onion Bites Ingredients 1/3 White Onion (thinly sliced & […]

  • About
  • Contact
  • Member Login
  • Affiliates
  • Privacy & Disclosures
  • Terms

Copyright © 2025 · MenuPlanningCentral.com