Slow Cooker Chicken Carnitas

These chicken carnitas are seasoned with Mexican spices and slow-cooked with onions and peppers in a juicy lime-orange sauce.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 4 hr 15 mins
• Total Time: 4 hr 40 mins
• Calories: 178 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 limes, zested and juiced
• 2 cubes chicken bouillon
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon dried cilantro
• 1 large white onion, diced
• 1 orange, zested and juiced
• 2 jalapeno peppers, diced
• 1 teaspoon Mexican-style seasoning blend
• 1 (4 ounce) can fire-roasted diced green chiles
• 0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.25 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.25 teaspoon dry mustard powder
• 0.25 teaspoon chile powder
• 0.5 teaspoon garlic and herb seasoning blend
• 2.25 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Dissolve chicken bouillon in boiling water.

Step 2

Heat oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until translucent and browned, about 5 minutes. Add jalapenos and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add green chiles; cook for 3 minutes more.

Step 3

Mix salt, cilantro, Mexican seasoning, cumin, basil, oregano, garlic powder, seasoning blend, chile powder, paprika, mustard powder, and black pepper together in a bowl.

Step 4

Trim chicken as needed. Coat all sides with the seasoning blend.

Step 5

Place onion mixture in a slow cooker. Add chicken broth, juice and zest from the limes and orange, and garlic cloves. Place chicken on top. Cover and cook on Low until chicken is no longer pink inside and very tender, 4 to 6 hours.