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Cilantro Lime Chicken Crockpot recipe is so simple and easy. The slow cooker does all the work. Crockpot cilantro lime chicken is an amazing dish that is packed with flavor.
Cooking crock pot recipes saves me time, money and gets a delicious dinner on the table on a busy weeknight. This restaurant quality cilantro chicken is full of flavor and juicy.
You can serve this over rice for an easy meal. We also love this Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe. If you’re looking for a simple and delicious meal, this is it! You may even like this Pollo Asado.
Table of Contents
Why We Love This Recipe
This recipe is quick to prep and made with simple ingredients. We love to make this cilantro chicken ahead of time and meal prep for the week. We have used this chicken in many ways and is always a crowd favorite.
This chicken is perfect to serve for any occasion or a weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
- Tomato Sauce
- Bunch of Fresh Cilantro (torn apart) – If you don’t like cilantro check out our The Best Cilantro Substitutes
- Fresh Lime, juiced (Best Substitute for Lime Juice)
- Chili Powder
- Cumin
- Garlic salt or powder
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.
Variations Ideas
- Seasoning – Feel free to change the seasoning to what you prefer. However, if you do not have cumin or chili powder, you could use taco seasoning instead. You can even add red pepper flakes to add a kick to the taste.
- Chicken – We used chicken breast in this recipe but you can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs or chicken tenders.
- Cilantro – Cilantro is one of the main ingredients in this recipe. But it can easily be taken out if you are not a fan.
Step by Step Instructions
- Step 1 – Add the chicken breasts to the crockpot (mine were frozen)
- Step 2 – Dump in the seasonings (including chopped cilantro – Check out How to Cut Cilantro) and squeeze the juice from the lime. (this is what I use to get all the lime juice out).
- Step 3 – Pour 1 can of tomato sauce on top.
- Step 4 – Cook the chicken on low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours. (If you have to cook it longer than 8 hours due to work, then add ½ can of water) Cooking times will vary depending on the size of your chicken.
- Step 5 – Shred chicken, stir and serve.
Recipe Tips
- One Pot Meal – There is no need to mix the seasoning separately. Everything gets dump easily in the slow cooker for an easy one pot meal.
- Freezer Prep – This is a perfect meal to freezer prep with. Place all the ingredients in the a freezer safe bag uncooked and place in the freezer.
- Shredding Chicken – You can easily shred the chicken with two forks. But learn how to shred chicken with a mixer.
How to Make in the Instant Pot
Yes, definitely! To create this recipe in the instant pot, throw all the ingredients in the instant pot and add 1 cup of chicken broth. Then place the lid on and make sure the nob is set to sealing.
Click the manual button and turn it to 15 minutes (20 minutes if you have 4 or more chicken breasts). Do the quick release to release the pressure. Remove the chicken and shred.
Return to the instant pot and stir. Then switch the instant pot to the sauté setting and cook off the additional liquid in the instant pot.
Favorite Toppings
We love to serve this chicken in many different recipes. But serving with your favorite toppings makes any recipe complete. These are some of our favorites.
- More Cilantro
- Sour Cream
- Salsa
- Lettuce
- Red Onion
- Diced Avocado
- Shredded Cheese
Serving Suggestions
This shredded chicken is so delicious served over white rice, brown rice or cauliflower rice. We even love to make burrito bowls layered with black beans and salsa. This chicken is even delicious topped a garden salad for a low carb option.
You can even use this chicken to roll up to make chicken enchiladas in about 30 minutes or make chicken nachos. The options are endless and always taste amazing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Store the leftovers in an airtight container and place in the fridge. It will stay fresh for up to 5 days.
Reheat the leftovers in the microwave in 30 second intervals until heated thorough.
Yes, you can freeze this cooked shredded chicken. Allow the chicken to cool to room temperature and place in a freezer bag. It will stay fresh for up to 3 months. When ready to serve again, thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat.
More Easy Cilantro Lime Recipes
- Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
- Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs Recipe
- Crockpot Black Bean Soup with Cilantro
We love to hear from you. If you make this slow cooker cilantro lime chicken recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.
Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken
Ingredients
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1 can tomato sauce (15 ounces)
- 1 bunch cilantro (chopped)
- 1 lime juiced
- 1 Tablespoon chili powder
- 1 Tablespoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
Instructions
- Place the chicken in a crock pot.
- Place the seasonings, chopped cilantro and lime juice on top of the chicken in the crock pot.
- Pour the tomato sauce on top.
- Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours until the chicken shreds easily.
- Shred the chicken and stir it back into the sauce in the crock pot.
- Serve as is or over rice. Enjoy!
I think that will work. It will change the flavor slightly but will still be good. Thanks!
I only have a can of Italian herb tomato sauce. Will that work for this recipe?
I love that idea!
Loved this recipe! I served this over Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice. Perfect and very healthy too.
I would just leave it out in this recipe.
I am not a fan of cilantro. Is there a good substiture
We love this recipe too!
This was amazing! My husband said it was restaurant quality.
My guys loved this. My hubby ate it on rice and said it was amazing with the delicious sauce..
I’m so sorry about that. We will update the recipe to be more clear.
I tried this recipe yesterday I was very excited for the slow cooker to stop to feed my family, however you should specify lime juice versus lime, because I cut up the lime squeezed it into the crockpot and cooked it all together, when it was done it was an edible due to the strong lime rind flavoring I had to throw it out ?? I wasted to organic chicken breast
Yes, the 6 hours is fine if the chicken was shreddable after that time. Each crock pot cooks a bit differently so yours probably cooks hotter than mine.
Hello, made it today. I only cooked for 6 hours since it was super easy to shred. Was the 6 hours okay? I’ve seen a lot of recipes where it says 6-8 hours and I didn’t want to overcook my chicken lol so I just stopped at 6 hours. I used 3 chicken boneless breast just like your video.
Yes, it’ll have a different flavor but will still be good with the cilantro.
Could you use chicken broth instead? I am highly allergic to tomatoes.
Hi Carrie….I have this recipe bookmarked and use it often! My husband loves ground beef tacos and my daughter does not like ground beef. So I make a big batch of this on taco night as well as ground beef, and we just pick our favorite protein :-).
I had a large pack of chicken breasts (7 of them) and used the same amount of sauce, and it turned out great.
Just made this!!! AMAZING!! Thank you for the recipe!
No ketchup – It’s a can of cooked pureed tomatoes. Thanks!
Hello,
When you say tomato sauce do you mean like ketchup? Or do you mean sieved tomatoes?
Thanks.
hi,
I loved this chicken, realized to give a squeeze of lime once it was cooked to bring the favors all together.
very easy
I would start with 2 Tbsp of dried cilantro and then add more if needed at the end. Thanks!
How much dried cilantro can I use if I don’t have fresh?
Generally, I use whatever I have on hand. I don’t measure it out, I just grab a handful and it works great!
How much cilantro do you typically use?
Generally I use around 2.5-3 pounds of chicken for this recipe. Thank you!
Can’t wait to try it! Please be more specific on the chicken breasts, it seems they can go from very small to huge at a meat market. Thank you 🙂
Woohoo! Great to hear – Thank you!
I have made this a few times now and I absolutely LOVE it!!
I’m so glad that you enjoy it. I recommend using approximately 1/2 tsp of garlic powder. Thank you!
Hi, I have made this once but I am unsure how much garlic powder??i guessed about 1tsp. What would you recommend?
I will say I loved this recipe. I made enchiladas last time & tacos with the leftovers!
So good.
I’m glad you loved it!
I made this and it was delicious! I served it over yellow rice and mixed in some sauteed onions and green peppers. Excellent! It will definitely go in the dinner rotation.
Are those full chicken breasts or chicken breast halves? Roughly how many ounces would that be? I am excited to try this recipe!
Could you do in Instapot?
I would do a can of each beans and corn. Put them in the slow cooker with the chicken and it’ll work great. Also, yes, you can use canned or frozen corn. I would do 1 cup of frozen corn. Let us know how it turns out!
If I wanted to add corn and black beans, how and when should it be done? What amounts and would frozen corn work? Thank you!
6-8 hours based on the size of the chicken. Thank you!
How long on low if the chicken is thawed?
Victoria – I updated the recipe. I use a 15 oz can of tomato sauce with this recipe. Thank you and I hope you enjoy it 🙂
Hello, what size can of tomato sauce please!!! ?
What size is the can of tomato sauce?
Chili Powder – I fixed it. Thanks!
1 Tbls of chili or chili powder?