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    Home » Main » Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe

    Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe

    Published: Feb 14, 2019 · Modified: Jun 14, 2020 by Megan Porta · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken is a no-fail dinner recipe, great any night of the week. Tender, flavorful chicken is slow-cooked in a zingy, delicious sauce! All done in your slow cooker, so less effort and clean-up for you!

    cooked chicken breast on a plate covered in salsa and cilantro

    Why This Recipe Works

    Do you know those recipes in your dinner rotation that never fail? Cilantro Lime Chicken made in the slow cooker is one of those recipes for me. It takes almost no time to prep this easy dinner and my crock pot does all the work!

    The end result is a spicy (feel free to keep it on the mild side, if you’d like!), flavorful meal with the most tender chicken my teeth have ever met.

    The first time I made this meal I could not believe that my fork (no knife required!) was easily cutting into a piece of chicken like it was butter. No lie, it’s really that tender. (Recipe adapted from this one over at All Recipes.)

    Add this recipe to your dinner rotation pronto. I promise you’ll keep it around! This is a GREAT recipe, tried and tested approximately 9,000 times in our home.

    How To Make Cilantro Lime Chicken

    Aside from the ridiculously tender chicken, the ease of preparing Cilantro Lime Chicken is my favorite thing about this recipe. Follow these simple instructions for a delicious, no-fail, easy meal!

    Step 1

    In a slow cooker, mix together salsa, lime juice, cilantro, taco seasoning and jalapenos (if using). Add 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts and coat with the salsa mixture.

    Step 2

    Cook on low heat for 6 hours, or high heat for 3 hours (low and slow is definitely recommended). After the chicken is cooked, serve with rice and with salsa mixture spooned over top, or shred it and use as a taco filling!

    Recipe Notes

    • Grate lime zest over the top of the meal just before serving it. I love the flavor this tiny little step adds!
    • The sauce in this recipe can also be used as a chicken marinade if you would rather grill chicken on a hot summer day. Marinate chicken for a minimum of 30 minutes and up to 24 hours. Cook for 6 minutes on each side, or until breasts are cooked in the centers.
    • If you want to know exactly what is inside your taco seasoning, make your own!
    • For a creamier sauce, add 1/4 cup sour cream to the sauce mixture before cooking.
    • Add the chicken to the slow cooker in pieces rather than adding whole breasts so the meat will be ready to eat when time is up!

    Can I Omit the Jalapeno Peppers?

    Of course! There is plenty of room to turn up the heat on this recipe, if that’s your thing, and it it also easy enough to keep it on the mild side. Tailor it to your liking!

    How To Chop Jalapenos

    Chop the jalapeno in half and remove the seeds, then you can dice or slice your jalapeno. However if you want more heat, then you can leave some seeds in.

    The heat from jalapenos is stored in the oil of the skin and the seeds so be sure to wear gloves!

    How To Serve Cilantro Lime Chicken

    Serve the chicken with the salsa mixture spooned over the top, all over a bed of white, brown or Spanish rice (or go no rice!). If you’re feeling crazy, throw a dollop of sour cream on top with some crushed tortilla chips and extra cilantro.

    Or grab two forks and start shredding! Add the shredded chicken to a tortilla or turn it into a delicious taco salad. Don’t forget to spoon the sauce over the top. It is so bold and delicious.

    Sprinkle red pepper flakes over the top just before serving for an added zing!

    Baked Chicken and Sweet Potatoes Recipes – 7 Delicious Ideas!

    Chicken and potatoes make a hearty, affordable team! Click over for 7 delicious baked chicken and sweet potatoes recipes for your next perfect meal.

    Uses For Taco Seasoning

    If you have extra taco seasoning on hand and you want to use it up, here are some other recipe ideas to throw it into!

    • Add it to ground beef and top Campfire Nachos with it!
    • Really, you could add it to just about any meat-based meal to transform it into a tasty, spicy food. I’m thinking meatballs, burgers or even chicken.
    • Use it as a rub on your next Rotisserie chicken or batch of ribs!
    • Add it to salad dressing for an extra zing.

    Uses For Rice

    If you have extra rice hanging around your fridge after making this recipe, here are a few other ways to enjoy rice!

    • Sprinkle in some chopped fresh cilantro and mix with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and juice from 1 lime. No need for Chipotle!
    • Serve underneath a heaping scoop of Hoisin Chicken Rice Bowls, Orange Chicken or Mongolian Beef. DELISH!
    • Serve alongside Instant Pot Chicken for the perfect complete meal.
    • Mix a bit of ginger sauce with rice for a delish side dish.
    • Go simple and serve with a few pats of butter or olive oil. Stir until the butter has melted.
    • Mix together with salsa, black beans, lime juice and chopped avocado. Add shredded chicken for a meaty dish!
    Forkful of perfectly cooked tender chicken covered in salsa

    Party Food Recipes

    • The classic, crowd-pleasing Fruit Pizza has a cookie dough crust, dreamy cream cheese frosting and a colorful top layer of fruit and a tasty glaze.
    • Taco Ranch Pasta Salad gets totally devoured at gatherings, no matter the season.
    • Sausage Cheese Dip is easy to make (let your crockpot do the work for you!), cheesy, flavorful and totally irresistible! Only 6 ingredients required for this delicious party food!
    • This is the best 7-Layer Taco Dip you’ll ever meet! It’s the perfect appetizer and party food and it is always the first thing to get devoured.
    • Pickle Rollups are most perfect appetizer for any type of gathering! Only THREE ingredients, ten minutes of your time and guests will be raving!
    • If you have fallen in love with the delicious Harry Potter Butterbeer Recipe from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you are in luck! This drink tastes just like the original beverage that is so loved by adults and kids alike.

    Slow Cooker Recipes

    Here are a few of my other favorite EASY crockpot creations! Enjoy, friends!

    • Crockpot Mac and Cheese
    • Slow Cooker Pesto Ranch Chicken
    • Slow Cooker Pot Roast
    top view of plate of cilantro lime chicken with fork resting on plate

    Will you help add value to Pip and Ebby?
    If you make this recipe and love it, stop back and give it a 5-star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a comment. THANK YOU!

    Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe

    Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken is a no-fail dinner recipe, great any night of the week. Tender, flavorful chicken is slow-cooked in a zingy, delicious sauce! All done in your slow cooker, so less effort and clean-up for you!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 6 hours
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 274kcal
    Author: Megan Porta

    Equipment

    • Slow Cooker

    Ingredients

    • 24 oz medium salsa
    • 1 lime juice
    • 1/4 cup cilantro fresh, chopped
    • 1.25 oz taco seasoning or 2 TBSP homemade taco seasoning
    • 2 jalapeno peppers finely chopped (optional)
    • 6 chicken breasts boneless, thawed

    Instructions

    • In a slow cooker, mix together the salsa, lime juice, cilantro, taco seasoning and jalapenos (if using). Add the chicken and coat with the salsa mixture.
    • Cook on Low heat for 6 hours, or High heat for 3 hours. Serve chicken with rice and with salsa mixture spooned over top, or shred and use as a taco filling!

    Notes

    Click here for an Easy Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe + VIDEO
    Recipe adapted from this one over at All Recipes: https://allrecipes.com/recipe/218863/slow-cooker-cilantro-lime-chicken/
    • Grate lime zest over the top of the meal just before serving it. I love the flavor this tiny little step adds!
    • The sauce in this recipe can also be used as a chicken marinade if you would rather grill chicken on a hot summer day. Marinate chicken for a minimum of 30 minutes and up to 24 hours. Cook for 6 minutes on each side, or until breasts are cooked in the centers.
    • If you want to know exactly what is inside your taco seasoning, make your own!
    • For a creamier sauce, add 1/4 cup sour cream to the sauce mixture before cooking.
    • Add the chicken to the slow cooker in pieces rather than adding whole breasts so the meat will be ready to eat when time is up!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 274kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 145mg | Sodium: 739mg | Potassium: 859mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 717IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?If you loved this recipe, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Elizabeth

      September 09, 2022 at 9:14 am

      5 stars
      I make this ALL the time and it’s amazing! My family loves it!

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        September 12, 2022 at 8:58 am

        That makes me so happy, Elizabeth!

        Reply
    2. Brianne

      November 14, 2017 at 10:18 pm

      I have made this so many times in the crockpot. I now have the Instant Pot. Does anyone know how I’d convert it?

      Reply
      • Donna S

        January 28, 2018 at 4:43 pm

        I’ve done it once in the IP but forgot to write down what I did. Am about to make it again today. I had a saved recipe on FB from pressurecookingtoday which uses 4 large frozen chicken breasts/1C salsa and cooks for 12 mins HP/NPR. I probably based it off that. I’ll use this recipe and those directions and see how it comes out.

        Reply
        • Megan Porta

          January 29, 2018 at 12:17 am

          Keep me posted – love to hear how it turned out!

          Reply
    3. Marianne Soucy

      February 28, 2017 at 6:23 pm

      Just had to say we have made this countless times since finding your recipe on Pinterest and it is sooo easy and always a hit! Scales up well to feed a crowd also. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        February 28, 2017 at 7:29 pm

        Hi Marianne! Thanks so much for this comment and I’m happy you like the recipe! I haven’t made this in far too long, so thanks for the nudge!
        Megan

        Reply
      • Kim Ladd

        August 21, 2017 at 7:35 pm

        Marianne – when you scaled it – did you add any cooking time? I would like to double the recipe to serve 24.

        Reply
        • Megan Porta

          August 22, 2017 at 1:56 am

          Hi Kim! Keep an eye on it, but cooking time should be close to the same. Enjoy!
          Megan

          Reply
    4. Gwen

      October 07, 2016 at 12:36 pm

      Oh man. This totally just got me in the mood for taco night. or maybe a heaping plate of nachos with all the toppings. because you definitely hit my buzz words seeing that I’m a sucker for any texmex dish with lime and cilantro. I also bet this would be a great freezer meal to cook ahead and save for a busy evening when cooking a fresh dinner just doesn’t have time to happen. does anyone else have a problem with dishes like this getting a little dry while cooking? I’m not sure what to do about that except maybe add a little extra salsa. either way, i can’t wait to try this. I’m sure it will come out delicious in any case. Thanks for posting!

      Reply
      • Megan Porta

        October 11, 2016 at 1:23 am

        Hi Gwen! YES, this is a great freezer meal! And NO, it does not get dry while cooking…promise. Adding extra salsa never hurts, though. Good luck and please let me know how it turns out!
        Megan

        Reply
    5. kathy

      June 23, 2015 at 3:45 am

      This is the 3rd time I made this…way too good! One of the best receipes on. Pinot.

      Reply
    6. WANDA

      May 08, 2015 at 3:32 pm

      I LOVE THIS RECIPE. SO EASY & YUMMY. GOOD IN TACOS, SANDWICHES, OR OVER RICE.
      EVERY ONE SHOULD TRY IT. THANK YOU

      Reply
    7. dawnmarie

      May 05, 2015 at 1:26 pm

      Just tried this to test it for vacation. I started with frozen chicken , used a black bean and corn salsa and omitted the jalapenos. It was so aromatic with a nice flavor and mild enough for my toddlers and those in the family with reflux. We served it with tortillas, sauteed onions, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, black beans, and cilantro lime rice. I made tacos, my husband made a burrito ala Chipotle or Moe's and loved it. I'm going to make this right before vacation, freeze the cooked product, and just reheat after a day on the beach. Thanks for a great recipe!

      Reply
    8. Nicole

      May 04, 2015 at 10:19 pm

      I've made this so many times and it's always amazing!

      Reply
    9. Megan Porta

      March 06, 2015 at 1:50 am

      S: I LOVE that idea! Doing that next time. Thank you for sharing!
      Megan

      Reply
    10. S

      March 06, 2015 at 1:14 am

      Switch out the salsa for a can of no-salt added diced tomatoes. Have salsa as a topping with the chicken! Turns out fabulous!

      Reply
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