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

Chili Colorado in the Slow Cooker

Spread the love
    20    

Spread the love    20     If you’re looking for a hearty, stick-to-your ribs chili that’s sure to please the carnivores in your life, this is the one! With just a little bit of prep work beforehand, you can have this hot and ready in your slow cooker when dinnertime rolls around.  You can even do the prep […]

Chunky Homemade Guacamole

Spread the love
    26    

Spread the love    26     Chunky Homemade Guacamole Ingredients: 2 ripe Avocados 1 ripe fresh tomato, seeded and diced 1 large clove fresh garlic, finely minced 1 fresh lime, juiced 1 tablespoon (+ extra for garnish) fresh cilantro leaves, stems removed and finely chopped Salt and pepper, to taste Directions: Peel, core, and dice avocado. Place in […]

Red Hots Applesauce Jello Recipe

Spread the love
    3    

Spread the love    3      If you are looking for a cute and easy dessert for Valentine’s Day, Christmas, 4th of July, and anytime, you will love this one!  Super easy and inexpensive, and yummy too.  🙂 This recipe will yield six 1/2 cup servings. INGREDIENTS 1 1/2 cups of boiling water 1 cup Red Hots candies […]

This Crock Pot is only $8.99!

Spread the love
    1    

Spread the love    1    Affiliate links have been used in this post. Are you wanting to get a crock pot, or maybe you’re thinking you’d like an extra one to use for the upcoming holidays? Either way, I wanted to let you guys know about this awesome low-priced deal on a 2 quart Crock Pot that has […]

Learn more about our menus and recipes!

Spread the love
         

Spread the love         Have you ever wondered what kind of food is included in the menu plans? Today I listed off some of the recipes that are included in the November menu plans for you and explained more about our awesome Early Bird Black Friday Sale that’s going on NOW! Want to know EVERY recipe included […]

Blackened Broccoli

Spread the love
    24    

Spread the love    24     This simple, yet delicious, side dish comes together quickly so it is perfect for mid-week meals.  When lightly tossed with sesame oil, it pairs perfectly with Asian-inspired dishes like Seared Sesame Tuna with Mixed Greens. In addition, this flavorful dish goes well with everything from roasted chicken breasts to pan-seared pork chops. We […]

Make Entertaining Easier with a Slow Cooker

Spread the love
    1    

Spread the love    1    Affiliate links are used in this post. Do you enjoy entertaining? Use your slow cooker to help make a night of hosting friends and family in your home a lot easier. In fact, if you own multiple slow cookers or various kinds of slow cookers, then you may even be able to prepare […]

Pressure Cooker Mexican Carnitas

Easy Instant Pot Carnitas

Spread the love
    101    

Spread the love    101    This Easy Instant Pot® Carnitas recipe turns out soooo tender and juicy and is loaded with so much flavor.   This pressure cooker Mexican carnitas recipe is extremely versatile allowing the fall-apart-tender pork to be served in so many different ways. The beautifully seasoned, tender Mexican pork is delicious on its own, but […]

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

Copyright © 2025 · MenuPlanningCentral.com