This is an easy and delicious chicken recipe if you love cilantro. With just 10 minutes of prep, this recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners is full of slow-cooked creamy chicken flavors your family will love.
Serve this meal with Roasted Chili-Corn Salsa and chips, or some salsa verde and don't forget a beverage! Adults would love a strawberry rhubarb margarita or my spicy peach bourbon smash.
Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken Ingredients:
Recipe Card?
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Notes on the ingredients
This easy slow cooker recipe calls for boneless, skinless chicken thighs. I like to use bone-in dark meat chicken because they are full of flavor and often they can be found on sale at my local grocery store. Other cuts of meat such as chicken breasts can be used but I find the greatest depths of flavor come from using dark meat chicken. If you find chicken breasts on sale this week grab some to make my crockpot chicken enchilada casserole .
Crockpot Cilantro Lime Chicken Instructions:
- Make a dry rub with the chili powder, cumin, and salt.
- Rub the chicken with the spice mixture.
- Add the olive oil to a heavy bottom pan and sear the chicken
- Place the chicken in the crockpot/slow cooker.
- Add the 2 cups of chicken broth and lime juice.
- Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8.
- Remove chicken (be careful not to let it fall apart!) It is so tender!!!!
- Mix together the heavy cream, cornstarch and water.
- Add the chopped cilantro to the slow cooker.
- Add the cream/cornstarch mixture to the slow cooker.
- Replace the chicken back to the slow cooker.
- Allow the sauce to thicken for 20 minutes.
- Serve over rice or starch of your choosing!
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Sarah's recommendation
7 qt. Crock-Pot
Perfect for Chicken, Roasts and Meals for 8+ people.
Oven Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350.
- Make a dry rub with the chili powder, cumin, and salt.
- Rub the chicken with the spice mixture.
- Add the olive oil to a heavy bottom dutch oven or cast iron pan and sear the chicken
- Add the 2 cups of chicken broth and lime juice.
- Bake for 60 minutes, with the cover on the pot.
- Remove the pot from the oven.
- Transfer the chicken to a clean plate.
- Mix together the heavy cream, cornstarch and water.
- Add the chopped cilantro to the pot.
- Add the cream/cornstarch mixture to the pot.
- Replace the chicken back to the pot.
- Place the pot on the stove over medium heat and allow the sauce to thicken.
- Serve over rice or starch of your choosing!
Why you should make slow cooker cilantro lime chicken:
- With just a few minutes of prep and then a few hours in the crock pot slow cooker your slow cooker cilantro lime chicken dinner is ready for you and your family.
- A little bit of prep in the morning will give you a delicious meal when you get home.
- I was never a fan of chicken thighs until this recipe. I know that the thighs are full of flavor and are a favorite for a lot of people but I was just not that into them. Until this recipe. If any recipe is going to make me go from the light side to the dark side of meat this is the recipe that is going to do that.
What do you serve with cilantro lime chicken?
I will serve cilantro lime chicken over white rice but other delicious options would be spaetzle, gnocchi, wide noodles or even cauliflower rice. Serve with Roasted Chili-Corn Salsa and chips, or some salsa verde and don't forget a beverage! Adults would love a strawberry rhubarb margarita or my spicy peach bourbon smash.
What can I make with this instant pot cilantro lime chicken recipe for a delicious dinner?
You can make super delicious cilantro lime chicken burrito bowl.
For a refreshing twist, whip up a cilantro lime chicken salad, incorporating the chicken with fresh greens and a zesty dressing.
If you're looking to diversify, try cilantro lime chicken tacos with all the fixings, and don't forget to add a dollop of sour cream for that perfect finishing touch.
Cilantro lime chicken taco recipe
- Shred the chicken using two forks.
- Season shredded chicken with taco seasoning.
- In warm tortillas, assemble the chicken tacos with the seasoned chicken, black beans, sliced avocado, and a drizzle of cilantro lime sauce.
Can I use chicken breast when I make cilantro lime chicken?
You can use boneless skinless chicken breasts for your cilantro lime chicken if you can't use chicken thighs.
As a meal prep option, consider trying the instant pot version. Just ensure to adjust cooking times accordingly when using chicken breasts instead of thighs.
Can I put crock pot cilantro lime chicken in the freezer?
Yes, you can freeze cilantro lime chicken by placing it in a freezer bag. Ensure the chicken is properly sealed in the bag before freezing. When ready to use, thaw the frozen chicken in the refrigerator before reheating.
Recipe FAQs and tips
See the instructions above. If you do not have a slow cooker, this recipe will work well in the oven. You just need a dutch oven or a large pot with an oven safe lid. A cast-iron pot will work well.
It is generally recommended to slow cook chicken on the low setting. Cooking on low gives you evenly-cooked and tender chicken without the risk of drying out.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 Tablespoon chili powder
- 1 Teaspoon cumin
- ½ Teaspoon Paprika
- 2 Teaspoon salt
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 Cups chicken broth
- ¼ Cup lime juice
- ½ Cup Heavy Cream
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed
- 1 tablespoon cold water
- 2 Tablespoons Cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Make a dry rub with the chili powder, cumin, and salt.
- Rub the chicken with the spice mixture.
- Add the olive oil to a heavy bottom pan and sear the chicken
- Place the chicken in the crockpot/slow cooker.
- Add the 2 cups of chicken broth and lime juice.
- Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8.
- Remove the chicken (be careful not to let it fall apart!) It is so tender!!!!
- Mix together the heavy cream, cornstarch and water.
- Add the chopped cilantro to the slow cooker.
- Add the cream/cornstarch mixture to the slow cooker.
- Replace the chicken back to the slow cooker.
- Allow the sauce to thicken for 20 minutes.
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