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Slow Cooker Chicken Thigh Carnitas Recipe

Slow Cooker Chicken Thigh Carnitas are one of my top freezer recipe for busy nights! Flavor filled chicken thighs with hints of lime and lots of chili, garlic, and cumin, it is simply delicious!

Slow Cooker Chicken Thigh Carnitas Recipe

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Slow Cooker Chicken Thigh Carnitas Recipe

Slow Cooker Chicken Thigh Carnitas is my favorite slow cooker main dish. I can make a double batch to feed a crowd or put in the freezer for a couple of meals. Most folks grab a package of boneless chicken breast, and that is fine for lots of dishes. However, I love chicken thighs for carnitas!  They stay tasty and don’t dry out.

Cooking with Granny Vega

Our chicken carnitas recipe has extra spice. Growing up and cooking beside my Granny Vega I would watch her add chili or cumin and then taste, over and over again.  She never hesitated to add tons of flavor to any dish and her Mexican food was amazing!

This slow cooker chicken dish has cilantro, which was not readily available when I was a girl growing up in the southern United States. Maybe Texas had access to cilantro but Arkansas and Tennessee seemed to have been the last in line to have this herb at local groceries.

Slow Cooker Chicken Thigh Carnitas Recipe

How To Make Crock Pot Chicken Thigh Carnitas

Making Slow Cooker Chicken Thigh Carnitas are so easy!  

Grab your favorite slow cooker (We love this one) and spray with canola oil.  Add about three pounds of boneless skinless chicken thighs, 2 tablespoons chili powder, 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon cumin, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon salt and pepper. Squeeze the juice of one lime on the top.

Psst! I love the flavor of this Ancho Chili Powder, it just gives it that extra oomph.

Cover and cook on high for 4 hours! Shred chicken and give it a taste! Does it need a bit more salt? Now is a good time to add some.  Sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves and the juice of half a lime. Slice the remaining lime for the presentation!

What can I make with Slow Cooker Chicken Thigh Carnitas?

What can I make with slow cooker chicken thigh carnitas? I thought you would never ask!

My favorite way to eat chicken carnitas is in soft corn tortillas with a little bit of pico de gallo, a slice of avocado, and a shake of Tapatío!

Carnitas are very good in a variety of Mexcian and Tex Mex dishes.

Tacos, Tostadas,Burritos, Tamales, and Taquitos immediatley come to mind.

You can also add a big scoop to Mexican (Spanish) Rice or even use it in soups!

Who does not love a good taco-style soup?

How Did I Dish Up the Carnitas?

I found this adorable oval bowl at Homegoods! I love, love, love it!  Here is something similar that is over the top gorgeous. The salt keeper is used every single day and the bamboo forks were a ” Gift To Me From Me” for Mother’s Day.  Yep, my husband would roll his eyes if I asked for another set of pretty flatware for Mother’s day! 🙂

Try this with my yummy Restaurant Style Smokey Chipotle Salsa! 

Slow Cooker Chicken Thigh Carnitas RecipeSlow Cooker Chicken Thigh Carnitas in the Freezer!

I hope you love the Slow Cooker Chicken Thigh Carnitas Recipe it is a family favorite and really freezes well!

What do you think about this recipe? Have questions? Comment below! Don’t forget to like us on Facebook and  follow us on Pinterest

Yield: 10-12 servings

Slow Cooker Chicken Thigh Carnitas Recipe

Slow Cooker Chicken Thigh Carnitas Recipe

Spicy and Tangy Chicken Thigh Carnitas is a simple slow cooker meal and perfect for tacos!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Inactive Time 4 hours
Total Time 8 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 tbsp ancho chili powder
  • 1 1/2 tbsp brown sugar ( light or dark, whatever you have on hand)
  • 1 tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper.
  • 2 limes
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Instructions

  1. Grab your favorite slow cooker and spray with canola oil.
  2. Add about boneless skinless chicken thighs, chili
  3. 2 tablespoons chili powder
  4. 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
  5. 1 tablespoon cumin, 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 1 teaspoon salt and pepper. Squeeze the juice of one lime on the top.
  6. Psst! I love the flavor of this Ancho Chili Powder, it just gives it that extra oomph.
  7. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours! Shred chicken and salt and pepper to taste!
  8. Sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves and the juice of half a lime. Slice the remaining lime for presentation!

Notes

Serve with corn or flour tortillas, lettuce, pico de gallo, avocado and any or all of your favorite taco toppings!

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10 Comments

  1. Oh my!!! These slow cooker chicken carnitas looks amazing! Definitely going to make this weekend.

  2. YUMMY YUMMY!!! This looks super delicious! Plus it looks like something that even I can not mess up lol. We love carnitas Thanks for sharing!!

  3. My family loves carnitas but I’ve never tried making them with chicken before. This recipe sounds delicious. I am always in need of new slow cooker recipes.

  4. Omg I love carnitas! This is such a delicious and easy recipe for me to make! Thank you for sharing 🙂

  5. Okay, I am officially drooling! These chicken thigh carnitas look absolutely delicious and I totally want, want, want!

  6. This looks so good! I love using the slow cooker in the summer so I don’t heat up the kitchen. Will be adding this recipe into my meal plan.

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