Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Absolutely. Boneless, skinless thighs work great and stay extra juicy. Cook time is similar, but they may shred even easier.

Can I make this Cilantro Lime Chicken Crockpot Recipe spicy?

Yes! Add a pinch of cayenne, a diced jalapeño, or a few shakes of hot sauce. If your family has mixed spice opinions, keep it mild and offer hot sauce at the table.

How do I store leftovers?

Let it cool, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days . It reheats beautifully in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Yep. Freeze in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2–3 months . Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat with a splash of water or broth if needed.

What if I don’t like cilantro?

First of all, I respect the cilantro soap gene. You can swap it with chopped parsley, or skip it and add a little extra lime at the end for freshness.

Crockpot Cilantro Lime Chicken: 5 Zesty, Easy Wins

Description

This Crockpot Cilantro Lime Chicken is a dump-and-go slow cooker dinner with juicy shredded chicken in a zesty, savory tomato sauce—perfect for tacos, bowls, or rice.

Ingredients

Scale

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 bunch cilantro, chopped (plus more for serving if you want)
1 lime, juiced (plus wedges for serving if you want)
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Place the chicken breasts in the crockpot.
Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, garlic salt, salt, pepper, and chopped cilantro over the chicken.
Pour lime juice over the top.
Pour the tomato sauce on top of everything.
Cook on LOW 6–8 hours or HIGH 3–4 hours, until the chicken shreds easily.
Shred the chicken in the crockpot and stir it back into the sauce.
Serve as-is or over rice (also great in tacos or bowls). Enjoy!

Notes

Serving ideas: tacos, burrito bowls, rice bowls, nachos, salads, or lettuce wraps.

Extra fresh flavor: squeeze a little more lime on top right before serving.

Storage: refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezer-friendly: freeze up to 2–3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat with a splash of water/broth if needed.

Spice level: keep it mild as written, or add cayenne/jalapeño for heat.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Category: Dinner
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: Tex-Mex / Mexican-inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: about 1/6 of recipe
Calories: 135 kcal
Sugar: 2 g
Sodium: 520 mg
Fat: 2 g
Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 1.2 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 4 g
Fiber: 0.5 g
Protein: 27 g
Cholesterol: 70 mg