Slow Cooker Mexican Spiced Chicken Thighs

Ron Nebrerecipes, Savoury

slow cooker mexican chicken
Where would we be without our slow cooker? These Mexican Spiced Chicken Thighs are prepared in this kitchen must-have, so that you can save on time by putting everything together and letting the machine work its magic. High on flavour, with just the right amount of spice, this is comfort food that you’ll be counting down to all day.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 3 to 4 hours
Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs / 908 g boneless chicken thighs, rinsed and patted dry
  • 28 g / 2 tbsp Mirage margarine, melted
  • 796 ml / 1 can diced tomatoes, drained (reserve liquid)
  • 160 ml / 2/3 cup reserved liquid from the canned diced tomatoes
  • 1 medium / 198 g / 1 1/3 cup yellow onion, diced
  • 1 pepper / 36 g / 1/4 cup jalapeno, seeds removed, finely diced
  • 28 g / 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 30 ml / 2 tbsp lime juice, freshly squeezed
  • 15 ml / 1 tbsp white vinegar
  • 3 cloves / 3 tsp garlic, minced
  • 2 dried bay leaves
  • 6 g / 2 tsp chili powder
  • 7 g / 1 1/4 tsp salt
  • 4 g / 1 1/4 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 g / 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 g / 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Garnish
  • fresh cilantro leaves

Directions

1. Drizzle boneless chicken thighs with melted Mirage margarine. Place half of the thighs into the pot of the slow cooker.

slow cooker mexican chicken
slow cooker mexican chicken
2. Add in half of the drained diced tomatoes and 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) of the reserved canned tomato liquid.

3. Sprinkle half of the diced onions, 2 tablespoons (18 grams) of finely diced jalapenos, 1 tablespoon (14 grams) brown sugar, half of the lime juice, vinegar, minced garlic, 1 bay leaf, half the amount of chili powder, salt, ground cumin, oregano and smoked paprika over the tomatoes.

slow cooker mexican chicken
4. Place the remaining chicken thighs over the tomato mixture. Add in the remaining diced tomatoes, tomato juice, onions, jalapeno, brown sugar, lime juice, vinegar, garlic, bay leaf, chili powder, salt, cumin, oregano and smoked paprika.

slow cooker mexican chicken
5. Cover pot. Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours, or until chicken thighs are tender and can be shredded easily. Remove chicken from the pot and place onto a rimmed baking tray. Allow to rest and cool slightly; 5 minutes.

6. Using 2 forks, pull the meat off the chicken thighs and into shreds.

slow cooker mexican chicken
7. Place the shredded chicken and the juices from the tray back into the pot. Lower heat to low, cover the pot and allow the chicken to cook for an additional 20 to 25 minutes.

8. Serve with rice and garnish with fresh cilantro.

Chef’s Notes

  • In place of chicken thighs, boneless chicken breasts make for an excellent substitution in this recipe.
  • For some extra spiciness, leave the seeds in the jalapeno – or add another deseeded jalapeno!

slow cooker mexican chicken